RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, CAS Registry Number 79-42-5

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Chemical Safety
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• 2-Mercaptopropionic acid is a chemical compound requiring safety evaluation.
• Previous assessments indicated a need for comprehensive toxicological data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety of 2-mercaptopropionic acid across multiple toxicological endpoints.
• To determine potential risks associated with its use based on exposure levels.

Main Methods:

• Genotoxicity assays, repeated dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity/photoallergenicity, and skin sensitization tests were performed.
• Evaluations utilized the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) and Dermal Sensitization Threshold (DST).
• Environmental safety was assessed based on persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) criteria.

Main Results:

• 2-Mercaptopropionic acid demonstrated no genotoxicity.
• Exposure levels were found to be below the TTC for systemic and respiratory toxicity.
• The compound is not expected to be phototoxic or a skin sensitizer, with exposure below the DST.
• It is not persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) according to IFRA standards.

Conclusions:

• The available data support the safe use of 2-mercaptopropionic acid as described.
• Risk assessment was limited due to lack of reported usage volumes in the 2015 IFRA Survey.