RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, p-α,α-trimethylbenzyl alcohol, CAS Registry Number 1197-01-9

The existing information supports the use of this material as described in this safety assessment. p-α,α-Trimethylbenzyl alcohol was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity/photoallergenicity, skin sensitization, and environmental safety. Data show that p-α,α-trimethylbenzyl alcohol is not genotoxic. The repeated dose, reproductive, and local respiratory toxicity endpoints were evaluated using the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) for a Cramer Class I material, and the exposure to p-α,α-trimethylbenzyl alcohol is below the TTC (0.03 mg/kg/day, 0.03 mg/kg/day, and 1.4 mg/day, respectively). The skin sensitization endpoint was completed using the dermal sensitization threshold (DST) for non-reactive materials (900 μg/cm2); exposure is below the DST. The phototoxicity/photoallergenicity endpoints were evaluated based on ultraviolet (UV) spectra; p-α,α- trimethylbenzyl alcohol is not expected to be phototoxic/photoallergenic. The environmental endpoints were evaluated; p-α,α-trimethylbenzyl alcohol was found not to be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) as per the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Environmental Standards, and its risk quotients, based on its current volume of use in Europe and North America (i.e., Predicted Environmental Concentration/Predicted No Effect Concentration [PEC/PNEC]), are <1.