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RIFM Human Health Group Summary on Non-Cyclic Alcohols with Unsaturated Branched Chain is Available on the RIFM Web Site

The Expert Panel is of the opinion that there are no safety concerns regarding unsaturated branched chain alcohols under the present declared levels of use and exposure. These alcohols are used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, and toilet soaps as well in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. The present group consists of eight primary, nine primary allylic, four secondary, one secondary allylic, five tertiary, and 15 tertiary allylic non-cyclic alcohols. Their common characteristic structural elements are one hydroxyl group per molecule, a C₄ to C₁₆ carbon chain with one or several methyl or ethyl side chains, and up to four non-conjugated double bonds. No evidence or only minimal evidence of skin irritation in humans was associated with current levels of use at 2-30% for individual compounds considered. The use of these materials under the declared levels of use and exposure will not induce sensitization; however for those already sensitized there may be a possibility of elicitation. All available data suggest that there is no indication for phototoxicity, acute toxicity, systemic toxicity (after repeated application), developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, or carcinogenicity. This assessment of unsaturated branched chain alcohols when used as fragrance ingredients was authored by the Expert Panel. The accompanying Fragrance Material Reviews were authored by RIFM staff.

The group assessment approach is based on structural relationship, enabling consistency in predicting metabolism and toxicity, and conserves resources by reducing duplicate testing. The group summary publications and related FMRs provide the scientific and regulatory communities with all the toxicological data available to RIFM on these fragrance ingredients. This includes RIFM sponsored studies, company sponsored studies and data that appear in the peer-reviewed literature. And, they provide the Expert Panel's safety assessment of these groups. The group summaries and FMR's continue to support the structure of RIFM's safety assurance program. They also are used by industry to meet REACH requirements. Dr. Anne Marie Api, RIFM Vice President, Human Health Sciences said, "The Group Summary approach is part of our proactive program. We now have nine group summaries and 192 FMRs published." There are plans to publish human health group summaries on Alcohol Branched Chain Saturated; Macrocyclic Ketones, Macrocyclic Lactones and Lactides, Aryl Alkyl Alcohols and Aryl Alkyl Alcohol Simple Acid Esters.

RIFM is the international scientific authority for the safe use of fragrance materials. RIFM generates, evaluates and distributes scientific data on the safety assessment of fragrance raw materials found in personal and household care products. Through extensive research, testing and constant monitoring of all scientific literature available, RIFM maintains its Database as the most comprehensive source worldwide of physical-chemical, toxicological and eco-toxicological data associated with known fragrance and flavor materials. All of RIFM's scientific findings are evaluated by an independent Expert Panel-an international group of dermatologists, pathologists, toxicologists, respiratory and environmental scientists. The Expert Panel evaluates the safety of fragrance ingredients under conditions of intended use and publishes their results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The decisions of the Expert Panel regarding restrictions of use are also published in the IFRA Standards. For more information about RIFM and its activities, visit www.rifm.org or e-mail rifm@rifm.org.

Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc.
Marie Gartshore, Communications Manager
201-689-8089, ext. 111
mgartshore@rifm.org