Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Component: LIMONENE
EPA testing shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
EPA testing shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
some
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Component: LIMONENE
Recognized by the European Union as a skin allergen
Recognized by the European Union as a skin allergen
some
EU Cosmetics Directive: Allergen list
Component: LIMONENE
The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reports this substance is an established contact allergen in humans.
The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reports this substance is an established contact allergen in humans.
some
EU Cosmetics Directive: Opinion on Frangrance allergens in cosmetics (2011)
Component: LIMONENE
dermatitis, skin allergy
dermatitis, skin allergy
some
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Limonene.
Component: LIMONENE
This peer-reviewed study reports this substance causes occupational asthma.
This peer-reviewed study reports this substance causes occupational asthma.
some
Fabrizio Guarneri, Olga Barbuzza, Mario Vaccaro & Giuseppe Galtieri. 2008. Allergic contact dermatitis and asthma caused by limonene in a labourer handling citrus fruits. Contact dermatitis 58(5), 315-6.
Component: LIMONENE
skin irritation
skin irritation
some
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Limonene.
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Component: LIMONENE
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Causes skin irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Component: LIMONENE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Component: LIMONENE
Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
low
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Component: LIMONENE
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration
Only in: Household Cleaners
low
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA)
A review article reports that terpenes may have anticancer properties.
low
Girija Kuttan, Poyil Pratheeshkumar, Kanjoormana Aryan Manu & Ramadasan Kuttan. 2011. Inhibition of tumor progression by naturally occurring terpenoids. Pharmaceutical biology 49(10), 995-1007.
Component: LIMONENE
developmental and reproductive toxicity
developmental and reproductive toxicity
low
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Limonene.
Component: LIMONENE
mutagenicity and/or DNA damage
mutagenicity and/or DNA damage
low
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) Limonene.
Impurities
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Suspected of causing cancer
Suspected of causing cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known to cause cancer
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Carcinogenic to humans
Carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Probably carcinogenic to humans
some
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) - Cancer
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes nasal cancer
Causes nasal cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
some
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
suspected human carcinogen
suspected human carcinogen
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
some
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes respiratory irritation
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes skin irritation
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
eye irritation
eye irritation
low
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
low
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
