The German Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission) summarized and evaluated the data for C12–18 fatty alcohols 67762-25-8 to derive an occupational exposure limit value (maximum concentration at the workplace, MAK value) considering all toxicological end points. Relevant studies were identified from a literature search. There are no data for humans or repeated dose inhalation studies in animals to derive a MAK value for the C12–18 fatty alcohols. Oral studies investigating alcohols with similar chain length resulted in NOAELs which would correspond to a concentration of 92 mg/m3 or higher at the workplace. However, as the C12–18 fatty alcohols may act as non-ionic surfactants, effects on the pulmonary surfactant are likely to occur. As a result, a MAK value cannot be established. The C12–18 fatty alcohols are not mutagenic or clastogenic in vitro. No in vivo genotoxicity studies and no carcinogenicity studies have been carried out with the C12–18 fatty alcohols. There are no studies investigating the developmental toxicity of the C12–18 fatty alcohols. A sensitizing potential is not expected based on the available data. The substance does not penetrate the skin in toxicologically relevant amounts.
Hartwig et al. (Thu,) studied this question.