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BENZYL ALCOHOL

image source: PubChem

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Score:

Data: Fair

  • Other Concerns
  • Functions
  • About the Chemical
  • Synonyms

  • Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Occupational hazards (high)

Cancer

Cancer concern is LOW

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity

Developmental & reproductive toxicity concern is LOW

Allergies & Immunotoxicity

Allergies & immunotoxicity concern is HIGH

Products with this Ingredient

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conditioner505 products
shampoo353 products
lipstick280 products
moisturizer226 products
hair treatment/serum218 products
body wash/cleanser172 products
facial moisturizer/treatment161 products
liquid hand soap139 products
recreational sunscreen122 products
foundation121 products
hair styling aide118 products
fragrance for women117 products
mask113 products
facial cleanser88 products
lip gloss88 products
body firming lotion86 products
serums & essences85 products
hair color and bleaching69 products
exfoliant/scrub67 products
mascara60 products
styling gel/lotion59 products
hair spray59 products
daily use with SPF49 products
hand cream46 products
bronzer/highlighter45 products
fragrance for men44 products
eye shadow43 products
around-eye cream32 products
makeup remover32 products
bubble bath31 products
lip balm30 products
antiperspirant/deodorant30 products
toners/astringents28 products
makeup primer28 products
facial powder27 products
toothpaste26 products
baby lotion21 products
sunless tanning21 products
shaving cream21 products
styling mousse/foam20 products
anti-aging19 products
after sun product19 products
bar soap18 products
detangler18 products
setting powder/spray18 products
baby sunscreen17 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)15 products
14 products
bath oil/salts/soak13 products
eye liner13 products
lip balm with SPF13 products
lip liner12 products
after shave11 products
mouthwash11 products
eye makeup remover10 products
baby wipes9 products
hand sanitizer9 products
body spray9 products
baby shampoo9 products
lip plumper7 products
body oil7 products
concealer7 products
blush7 products
BB cream7 products
shaving cream (men's)6 products
baby soap6 products
brow liner5 products
foot moisturizer4 products
hair relaxer4 products
CC cream4 products
baby oil4 products
baby toothpaste3 products
beard cleanser3 products
diaper cream2 products
nail treatment2 products
baby bubble bath2 products
beard care2 products
cuticle treatment1 products
tanning oil1 products
body powder1 products
muscle/joint soreness1 products
skin fading/lightener1 products
tooth whitening1 products
oil controller1 products
glitter1 products
damaged skin treatment1 products
beard oil1 products

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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Concern Reference
Known human any toxicant or allergenOpinion on Frangrance allergens in cosmetics (2011), EU Cosmetics Directive
Human [[system]] toxicant or allergen - strong evidencePeer Reviewed Literature 2015. EWG Assessment of Open Scientific Literature. Appears as: listid: EWG-032; Chemical_Name: benzyl alcohol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
One or more human case studies show possible allergenic or allergenic effectsVerecken, 1998
Associated with immunotoxicity or allergiesNational Library of Medicine HazMap

Occupational hazards

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Concern Reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low dosesCPS&Q - Classification & Labelling

Use restrictions

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Concern Reference
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn)IFRA 1/2020
Restricted in cosmetics - labeling requirement for allergensCosIng

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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Concern Reference
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention.Environment Canada 2015. Domestic Substance List. Appears as: listid: ECDSL-01112; Chemical_Name: Benzenemethanol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
Classified as toxic or harmfulCPS&Q - Classification & Labelling

Ecotoxicology

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Concern Reference
Dangerous for the environmentEU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes 2015. Classification & Labelling (Skin Deep®). Appears as: listid: 603-057-00-5; Chemical_Name: benzyl alcohol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
Deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention.Environment Canada 2015. Domestic Substance List. Appears as: listid: ECDSL-01112; Chemical_Name: Benzenemethanol; ; CAS: 100-51-6

Data gaps

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Concern Reference
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productIJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10
5667 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Informational

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Concern Reference
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyIJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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Concern Reference
Deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention.Environment Canada 2015. Domestic Substance List. Appears as: listid: ECDSL-01112; Chemical_Name: Benzenemethanol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
Deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention.Environment Canada 2015. Domestic Substance List. Appears as: listid: ECDSL-01112; Chemical_Name: Benzenemethanol; ; CAS: 100-51-6

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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Concern Reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodFDA Everything Added to Food

Data Sources

  • Opinion on Frangrance allergens in cosmetics (2011), EU Cosmetics Directive
  • Peer Reviewed Literature 2015. EWG Assessment of Open Scientific Literature. Appears as: listid: EWG-032; Chemical_Name: benzyl alcohol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
  • Verecken, 1998
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
  • CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
  • IFRA 1/2020
  • European Commission. 2013. Cosing, the European Commission database with information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. Accessed on March 1, 2013 at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/ .
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • Environment Canada 2015. Domestic Substance List. Appears as: listid: ECDSL-01112; Chemical_Name: Benzenemethanol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
  • EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes 2015. Classification & Labelling (Skin Deep®). Appears as: listid: 603-057-00-5; Chemical_Name: benzyl alcohol; ; CAS: 100-51-6
  • IJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
  • FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

† About this Ingredient's Score Range

  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use around mouth due to increased risk of ingestion and absorption.
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use on lips due to increased risk of ingestion and absorption.
  • Products with the EWG VERIFIED mark have met use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.

ABOUT THE SKIN DEEP® RATINGS

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

ABOUT EWG VERIFIED™

Beyond providing Skin Deep® as an educational tool for consumers, EWG offers its EWG VERIFIED™ mark as a quick and easily identifiable way of conveying personal care products that meet EWG's strict health criteria. Before a company can use EWG VERIFIED™ on such products, the company must show that it fully discloses the products' ingredients on their labels or packaging, they do not contain EWG ingredients of concern, and are made with good manufacturing practices, among other criteria. Note that EWG receives licensing fees from all EWG VERIFIED™ member companies that help to support the important work we do. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

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