Hexane-1,6-diol

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

1,6 Hexanediol are of low  acute toxicity via all routes of exposure.
The following lethal doses after acute exposures have been determined in the key studies
- oral: LD50 = ca. 3000 mg/kg bw
- inhalative = no mortalities within 8 h (IRT; ca. 3.3 mg/l)
- dermal: LD50 > 2500 mg/kg bw

Additional information

Acute oral toxicity of 1,6-hexanediol was evaluated in a study, which was in large part equivalent to the methods described in OECD

guideline 401 (BASF, 1961). Up to ten male and female rats received applications of 2500, 3200 and 6400 mg/kg bw in water by

stomach tube. After the administration, clinical signs including slight apathy slight atonia within one hour and piloerection were noted.

Due to the observed mortality in the middle and high dose group during the 14 day observation period, the LD50 was determined as

ca. 3000 mg/kg bw.

The result of the Key study fits fith the results of other studies. Another study with rats reported a LD50 of 3730 mg/kg bw without any further data (Carpenter, 1974). A LD50 of 3700 mg/kg in rats and a LD50 of 2400 mg/kg bw in mice was found after unspecified oral administration (Bandman, 1994).

Acute inhalation toxicity was evaluated in an inhalation risk test, which was conducted in large part equivalent to OECD guideline 403

(BASF, 1961). Three male and three female Fischer 344 rats were exposed with the whole body to a vapor of 3.3 mg/l 1,6-hexanediol for eight hours, which was generated at 100°C. Since no mortality was observed during the 14 day observation period, the LC0 was 3.3 mg/l air.

Another inhalation study reported no mortality when rats were exposed for eight hours to an atmosphere that had been saturated at room temperature with the volatile part of the compound (Carpenter, 1974).

To evaluate the acute dermal toxicity of 1,6-hexanediol a study in large part equivalent to methods described in OECD guideline 402 was taken into account (BASF, 1981).

Five male and five female Vienna White rabbits received an application of 2500 mg/kg bw 1,6-hexanediol in carboxymethyl cellulose

to the clipped dorsal and lateral part of back and flanks under occlusion. After 24 hours the application site was washed with warm water and/or a water/lutrol mixture. Only slight apathy and slight skin irritation was observed, but no mortality was noted. Therefore, the LD50 was >2500 mg/kg bw.

In another study a LD50 of >10000 mg/kg bw was determined (Carpenter, 1974).

Justification for classification or non-classification

Classification for acute toxicity is not warranted according to the criteria of EU Directive 67/548/EEC and EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.