Oral and dermal developmental toxicity studies of phenylethyl alcohol in rats

Phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) was tested for developmental toxicity. Pregnant rats were fed 0, 83, 266, or 799 mg/kg/d PEA on gestation days (GDs) 6 to 15; only minimal, nonsignificant effects were observed. In dermal studies, PEA (neat) was applied to the skin on GDs 6 to 15 at dosages of 0, 140, 430, or 1400 mg/kg/d and at 0, 70, 140, 280, 430, or 700 mg/kg/d in a corroborative study. Observations included maternal and embryo-fetal toxicity/abnormalities at 1400 mg/kg/d, increased incidences of rudimentary cervical ribs at ≥430 mg/kg/d, and reduced fetal body weights at ≥140 mg/kg/d. Dermal maternal and developmental no-observed-adverse-effect levels are 70 mg/kg/d, based on dermal irritation and reductions (nonsignificant) in fetal body weights. Human exposure from fragrances is 0.02 mg/kg/d, resulting in a margin of safety >2600, when marked differences in dermal absorption between rats and humans are considered. Under normal fragrance use conditions, PEA is not a developmental toxicity hazard for humans.