Andrea Hartwig, MAK Commission
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.