Alcohols, C16-18

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Environmental exposure 
Exposure could arise in association with production, formulation and industrial use of the substance. There would also be exposure from consumer uses.
The main uses of alcohols are as manufacturing intermediates for consumer products.  Discharge of these products is expected to be primarily to water, through disposal to drain.  
Occupational Exposure: As a rule aliphatic alcohols are manufactured and processed in established chemical complexes in closed installations; these are usually operated at high temperature and pressure. At these sites standard personal protective equipment is routinely applied to prevent direct skin and eye contact. Generally, aliphatic alcohols are of a low volatility and as a rule engineering controls are available preventing the need for respiratory protection.  For non-routine operations involving a break in enclosed systems a higher level of protection is applied. Operations with a potential for significant exposure require a permit to work system and a case-by-case assessment is made for appropriate protective measures. Exposure through the use of products in industry and commerce is mitigated by applying measures aimed to prevent direct skin and eye contact by following the recommendations in the material safety data sheet (MSDS).
Occupational exposure to of Alcohols, C16-18 (Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol) may occur through oral and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Alcohols, C16-18  is produced or used (SRC). Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to Alcohols, C16-18 via ingestion of food and kindred product containing  Alcohols, C16-18  (SRC). 
Consumer Exposure: Aliphatic alcohols are formulated in consumer laundry, cleaning and personal care products.  Product labels reflect the hazard potential of the chemical ingredients in these products and include first aid instructions in case of non-intentional exposure.

Additional information

Environmental fate

 

Alcohols, C16-18 is from the category of Long Chain aliphatic Alcoholswithin a carbon chain length range of C6-C22. The substance (C16-18 Alcohols CAS № 67762-27-0) comprises 100% linear (or unstated); <2% C14, >=90% C16 and 18 >5% C20

All of the alcohols would be expected to be stable in respect of abiotic degradation in water. Photo-oxidation in aqueous systems will not be significant.

Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions. This substance has no hydrolysable structural features and would be expected to be stable in respect of hydrolysis. Alcohols have no hydrolysable groups and are therefore not susceptible to hydrolysis.Oxidation would not be expected under normal environmental conditions.

Bioaccumulation is considered to be low for Alcohols, C16-18 which is from the category of Long Chain aliphatic Alcohols, which are rapidly metabolised in higher organisms.

The estimated Log BCF of Alcohols, C16-18 is 2.74 (BCF = 544 L/kg wet-wt). This substance has a limited potential to bioaccumulate (based on log Kow used by BCF estimates: 6.73, and predicted bioconcentration factors, log BCF = 2.74 (EPIWIN/BCF Program).

A 96 hours, hexadecan-1-ol bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for the Brachydanio rerio (new name: Danio rerio) species ranged from 500 to 1000 (Unilever,1996).

These experimental and estimated BCF values suggest that Alcohols, C16-18 has a low potential for bioaccumulation.

If released to soil, Alcohols, C16-18 is expected to have low mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 4658. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process.   

The output parameters from the EPI Suite model support that any potential impacts of this chemical is expected to be very short-lived. This is because it is not likely to persist in water or microbial soils and sediments.

As a result, the environmental fate of Alcohols, C16-18 is not likely to be of concern.

 

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

 

Environmental exposure

 

Exposure could arise in association with production, formulation and industrial use of the substance. There would also be exposure from consumer uses.

The main uses of alcohols are as manufacturing intermediates for consumer products. Discharge of these products is expected to be primarily to water, through disposal to drain. 

 

Occupational Exposure: As a rule aliphatic alcohols are manufactured and processed in established chemical complexes in closed installations; these are usually operated at high temperature and pressure. At these sites standard personal protective equipment is routinely applied to prevent direct skin and eye contact. Generally, aliphatic alcohols are of a low volatility and as a rule engineering controls are available preventing the need for respiratory protection. For non-routine operations involving a break in enclosed systems a higher level of protection is applied. Operations with a potential for significant exposure require a permit to work system and a case-by-case assessment is made for appropriate protective measures. Exposure through the use of products in industry and commerce is mitigated by applying measures aimed to prevent direct skin and eye contact by following the recommendations in the material safety data sheet (MSDS).

Occupational exposure to Alcohols, C16-18 (Cetyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol)may occur through oral and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Alcohols, C16-18 is produced or used (SRC). Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to Alcohols, C16-18 via ingestion of food and kindred product containing Alcohols, C16-18 (SRC).

 

 

Consumer Exposure: Aliphatic alcohols are formulated in consumer laundry, cleaning and personal care products. Product labels reflect the hazard potential of the chemical ingredients in these products and include first aid instructions in case of non-intentional exposure.

 

 

EFFECTS ON HUMANS

 

 Summary

 

Alcohols, C16-18 or Cetostearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol or cetylstearyl alcohol is a mixture of fatty alcohols, consisting predominantly of cetylandstearyl alcohols and is classified as a fatty alcohol.

It is used as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, and foam boostingsurfactant, as well as an aqueous and nonaqueous viscosity-increasing agent. It imparts an emollient feel to the skin and can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions,and anhydrous formulations. It is commonly used in hair conditioners and other hair products

Clinical skin irritation and sensitization studies of product formulations containing 8.4%, 6.36%, 6.0%, 4.0%, 3.3%, 3.25%, 3.0%, 2.85%, 2.0%, and 1.0% Alcohols, C16-18 produced no substantial evidence of irritation or sensitization.

Based on the available data it is concluded that Alcohols, C16-18 or Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, and Behenyl Alcohol are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use.

Alcohols, C16-18 do not induce skin sensitization in humans, and there is no conclusive evidence that they induce eczema.

No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported following accidental ingestion of Long Chain aliphatic Alcohols.