Abstract  Pure n-alkanes and 1-alkanols promoted papilloma growth in the skin of Swiss mice which had been treated with a noncarcinogenic dose of dimethylbenzanthracene. Decanol, dodecane, and tetradecane were the most potent; hexanol, hexane, and octane were inactive. One-fourth of the papillomas became squamous cell carcinomas. A difference of two carbon atoms separated equipotent alkanes and alkanols. The tumor-promoting effect of these substances was not identical with that of a croton extract studied under similar conditions.

Abstract  The examination of a number of potential and currently used carrier fluids for invert emulsion drilling fluids in the ECETOC screening test revealed clear differences with respect to their easy anaerobic biodegradability. Fatty acid- and alcohol-based ester oils exhibited excellent anaerobic degradation to the gaseous final end products of the methanogenic degradation pathway, methane and carbon dioxide. Mineral oils, dialkyl ethers, alpha-olefins, polyalphaolefins, linear alkylbenzenes and an acetal-derivative were not or only slowly degraded. Although the poor degradation results obtained in the stringent ECETOC screening test may not be regarded as final proof of anaerobic recalcitrance, nevertheless, these results were found to be in line with the present understanding of the structural requirements for anaerobic biodegradability of chemicals. The validity of the conclusions drawn is corroborated by published results on the anaerobic biodegradation behaviour of ester oils, mineral oils and alkylbenzenes in marine sediments.

Abstract  Oleyl alcohol is a mixture of aliphatic alcohols, consisting mainly of 9 octadecen-l-ol. It is commonly found as an emulsifier in hair applications and lipsticks, and is used in other topical preparations, as well as in textile oils and in the manufacture of paper and printing inks.

Abstract   The genotoxic potential of behenyl alcohol, a saturated long-chain (C22 :0) fatty alcohol, was examined in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay, the gene mutation, and chromosome aberrations assays in Chinese hamster V79 cells, and the micronucleus assay in NMRI mice. Behenyl alcohol did not increase the number of revertants per plate compared to controls in the S. typhimurium assay, with or without metabolic activation. No significant increases in the number of mutant colonies or in structural chromosome aberrations were observed in Chinese hamster V79 cells. In addition, behenyl alcohol did not increase the frequency of bone marrow polychromatic erytbrocyte (PCE) micronuclei in mice in vivo. In two subchronic toxicity studies, CD rats and beagle dogs were administered behenyl alcohol by oral gavage for at least 26 weeks at doses of 0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg behenyl alcohol/kg body weight/day for rats and 0, 20, 200, or 2000 mg behenyl alcohol/kg body weight/day for dogs. Adverse effects were not observed following gross and histopathological evaluations of dosed rats. Compound-related effects in dogs were limited to observations of pale feces, indicative of unabsorbed behenyl alcohol, at doses of 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. There were no histopathological changes observed in dogs dosed with behenyl alcohol. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for behenyl alcohol was 1000 mg/kg body weight/day for rats, and 2000 mg/kg body weight/day for dogs, the highest doses used in these studies.

Abstract  Extractive and chromatographic separations were performed on V-1326, a chloroform extract from the bark of Prunus africana (also referred to as Pygeum africanum), which is used to treat the symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The relative amounts of eleven identified constituents in crude V-1326 and in separated fractions were determined using gas chromatographic analysis. The ability of V-1326 and its separated fractions to inhibit ferrous ion-induced stimulation of lipid peroxidation in microsomal preparations from rabbit livers was evaluated. The extract, V-1326, and fractions containing high levels of myristic acid potently inhibited lipid peroxidation.

Abstract  The recently developed technique of aerosol chemical ionization mass spectrometry is used to study the reaction of ozone with particles consisting of unsaturated organic molecules, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, oleyl alcohol, and 1-octadecene. The reactive uptake coefficients, gamma, for polydisperse aerosols with mean diameters of 800 nm are determined from the rates of loss of the particle species to be (7.5 +/- 1.2) x 10(-4) for oleic acid, (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 10(-3) for linoleic acid, (7.5 +/- 1.3) x 10(-4) for oleyl alcohol, and (2.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(-4) for 1-octadecene. The ozonolysis products of oleic acid particles are studied in detail with simultaneous detection of the four primary products: nonanal, nonanoic acid, 9-oxononanoic acid, and azelaic acid. All four products are found to exist in the reacted particles, though nonanal is also detected in the gas phase indicating that it partially evaporates. The yield of azelaic acid is determined to be 0.12 +/- 0.04, and the yields of nonanal and 9-oxononanoic acid are found to be larger than the yields of the other products suggesting the existence of secondary reactions involving the Criegee intermediates. A fifth product, 9-oxooctadecanoic acid, is detected with a small yield (similar to0.02) and is believed to result from different secondary reactions. Implications of these results for the alteration of chemical and physical properties of aerosols as they are aged in the atmosphere are discussed.

Abstract  Contact allergy to cetyl and stearyl alcohols has been reported for many years. About one per cent of eczema patients are allergic to either alcohol or a mixture of the two. In the present study, 11 of 1374 patients reacted to 20% cetylstearyl alcohol in patch tests. Results of a previous study, suggested that some impurities in commercial cetyl and stearyl alcohols might be responsiblefor the contact allergies. Sorbitan esters are also contact allergens in dermatological preparations. Sorbitan sesquioleate (20% in petrolatum) was patch-tested in 4469 eczema patients in the present study, with a positive result in 25 (0.56%) of them. Widespread dermatitis from moisturizing creams was seen in two patients, one of whom was treated with peroral corticosteroids and the other with a potent corticosteroid cream. Several other emulsifiers have also occasionally been found to cause contact allergy. Popular emulsifiers are thus potential allergens, especially in preparations commonly used as moisturizersfor dry or slightly eczematous skin.

Abstract  The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of sensitization to fatty alcohols in a group of patients with suspected cosmetic or medicament contact dermatitis. From May 1992 to September 1995, we patch tested a series of 5 fatty alcohols on 146 patients. These included 108 females and 38 males aged from 13 to 72 years (mean age 42.5). These patients, who had previously been tested with the GIRDCA standard series, were selected because their clinical lesions or histories indicated topical preparations as the possible source of their contact dermatitis. High-grade fatty alcohols (> 99% pure) were used for testing. 34 patients (23.2%), 25 female and 9 male aged from 14 to 72 years, showed a positive patch test to fatty alcohols, 33 of them to oleyl alcohol. A total of 39 reactions were detected with 5 patients showing more than 1 positive reaction. Our results show that sensitization to oleyl alcohol is not rare in patients with contact dermatitis due to cosmetics or topical medicaments.

Abstract  A 48h EC50 value of 1700 mg/L has been determined for the effects of octadecanol on the mobility of Daphnia magna. The EC50 was obtained at a concentration above the Limit of Solubility (LoS) and should be treated with caution. The water solubility of octadecanol is 0.0011 mg/L at 25oC [SIDS dossier on 1-octadecanol, 1993b; Budavari, 1996], therefore the LC50 value is >0.0011 mg/L (>LoS), i.e. the test substance was not toxic at the LoS.

Abstract  Conclusions: In a reliable study, development was assessed as part of a combined repeat dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity study, conducted according to draft OECD guideline 422. The NOAEL for maternal and foetotoxicity in rats was 2000 mg/kg bw/day (highest dose level). There was no evidence of teratogenicity from the limited examination of the pups that was carried out. The result is read across from octadecan-1-ol (CAS 112-92-5). Executive summary: Based on the weight of evidence from other alcohols across the category and the combined repeat dose/reproductive/developmental study with octadecan-1-ol, it is concluded that octadecan-1-ol is unlikely to be a developmental toxicant in the absence of maternal toxicity.

Abstract  Ceteareths, used in a large number of cosmetics as surfactants, are the polyethylene glycol (PEG) ethers of Cetearyl Alcohol (q.v.). To supplement the limited available data on Ceteareths, previous findings from the safety assessment of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), several fatty alcohols (Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, and Stearyl Alcohol), and Steareths were considered. These data indicate little evidence of toxicity. Although various metabolites of monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol are reproductive and developmental toxins, given the methods of manufacture of Ceteareth compounds, there is no likelihood of such compounds being present as impurities. Further, there would be only limited ethylene glycol monomer linked by an ether group to the Ceteareth moiety for the PEG-5 compounds, little for the PEG-10 compounds, and virtually none for the PEG-20 and higher compounds. Even if linked to ethylene glycol monomer, it was considered unlikely that the Ceteareth moieties would be metabolized (e.g., via beta-oxidation) to simple methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl alkyl groups. As the current data indicate, such short alkyl chains are needed in order for the production of toxic alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase metabolites. For longer alkyl chains there is evidence of diminishing toxicity, and extrapolation to much longer chains such as expected in the Ceteareth moieties suggests that there is no reproductive or developmental hazard posed by these Ceteareth compounds. The principal clinical finding related to PEGs is based on data in burn patients-PEGs were mild irritants/sensitizer and there was evidence of nephrotoxicity. No such effects were seen in animal studies on intact skin. Cosmetic manufacturers should adjust product formulations containing Polyethylene Glycol to minimize any untoward effects when products are used on damaged skin. In the absence of specific impurities data, the possible presence of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide impurities was of concern. The importance of using the necessary purification procedures to remove these impurities was stressed. Creams containing Ceteareth-20 enhanced drug absorption. Ceteareth 15 (10% in formulation) was minimally irritating to rabbits after a single dermal exposure. In ocular studies, ethoxylated Cetearyl Alcohol solution was a severe irritant to unrinsed rabbit eyes and moderately irritating to rinsed eyes. In clinical studies, Ceteareth-15 (1.5% in formulation) produced minimal irritation when tested in both a 4- and 21-day patch test, and was not a sensitizer when tested (1.35% in formulation) in a repeat- insult patch test. Based on the limited data on Ceteareths and the extensive data on chemically related ingredients, it was concluded that these ingredients are safe as used in cosmetic formulations. These ingredients, however, should not be used on damaged skin.

Abstract  IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The toxicity of 26 cosmetics excipients was evaluated using a rabbit test. The ocular and cutaneous effects were evaluated using official French methods with some additions. The results show that 13 samples gave adverse reactions after repeated skin exposures; 8 of them appeared to be significantly more irritant--4 isopropyl myristates and 4 oleyl alcohols each from different sources. Eleven excipients were well tolerated when applied undiluted during 60 days and 2 gave uncertain results. Compounds tested included squalane, caprylic triglycerides, isopropyl myristate and palmitate, decyl oleate, octyl palmitate and stearate, oleyl alcohol and polyoxyethylene sorbitan stearate.

Abstract  n-Docosanol has been shown to have antiviral activity. To demonstrate the efficacy of n-docosanol 10% cream in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis, a randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study was undertaken in 63 patients. In a crossover extension, 22 of the patients used the alternative treatment for a further episode. A total of 98 episodes were evaluated. Application of n-docosanol 10% cream early in the prodromal or erythema stage of a recurrent episode of herpes labialis shortened mean healing time by approximately 3 days, as compared to late treatment with n-docosanol 10% cream and early or late treatment with the placebo. The crossover study revealed that late treatment with n-docosanol 10% cream significantly reduced mean healing time compared to placebo. Treatments were well tolerated.

Abstract  A white woman, age 28, was seen for an oozing dermatitis of the flexor aspect of the left arm. The lids were swollen. A faint, blotchy, urticarial-like response spotted the left face and neck. The onset was one week prior to examination. The initiating factor was an irritation on the left forearm where a green canvas being sewn into boy scout tents had rubbed the skin. The weather was hot and sticky. Three proprietaries had been applied to treat the area, one after the other. Overnight the arm began to weep followed by a near universal and diffuse papular reaction noteable for the lack of itching and erythema. She was admitted to the hospital for study. The healing time was remarkably short. After four days only a dull erythema remained in the antecubital region. She was discharged and resumed work three days later. Handling the green canvas produced a prompt recurrence of a blotchy erythema on the left arm and eyelids. Two years ago she had been hospitalized for a similar attack. It appeared first on the legs and thighs then spread to the arms and face. A conspicuous feature was the swollen lips. At this time she had been working in a film developing laboratory. Patch test investigations were refused. The involution time was six days, similar to that of the present attack.