4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

other: case study worker

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

In a case study two female workers were exposed over about 10 years to synthetic detergents containing different alkylphenols (including octylphenol). This report cannot be used as part of a risk assessment for octylphenol because both workers were exposed to undefined mixtures of detergents. Based on the reported data it is not possible to conclude that octylphenol facilitates chemically induced depigmentation.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Two cases of Leucoderma, presumably due to Nonyl- or Octylphenol in synthetic detergents

Author:

Masayuki Ikeda, Hatsue Ohtsuji and Setsuko Miyahara

Year:

1970

Bibliographic source:

Ind. Health, 1970, 8, pp. 192

Materials and methods

Study type:

poisoning incident

Endpoint addressed:

skin irritation / corrosion

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Observation of workers exposure

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Nonylphenol

EC Number:

246-672-0

EC Name:

Nonylphenol

Cas Number:

25154-52-3

IUPAC Name:

2-nonylphenol

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Nonylphenol

Method

Subjects:

- Number of subjects exposed: 2
- Sex: female
- Age: 60 and 56

Ethical approval:

not specified

Route of exposure:

dermal

Reason of exposure:

unintentional, occupational

Exposure assessment:

estimated

Results and discussion

Clinical signs:

Previous studies showed depigmentation of skin after exposure to alkylphenols. When producing polyoxyrthylene alkylphenylether alkylphenol is added as starting material and may remain unreacted und contaminate the final product of the systhetic detergent. Furthermore a decomposition of the polyoxyethylene alkylphenylether cannot be excluded (especially at higher temperatures above 150°C). The workers used the detergent at temperatures of about 80°C. Repeated heating and usage of the detergent and co-presence of metal dust may be favorable factors for gradual decomposition. It is also likely that steamy working environment due to heating of the washing solution up to 80°C, alkaline nature of the liquid and the presence of detergents promote penetration of causative agents into skin.

The alkylphenylether itself is supposed not to be the reason for depigmentation and leucoderma because then an exponential increase of production in recent years would be corresponded by innumerable reports of leucoderma.

In two suspicious detergents alkylphenol could be detected.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

In a case study two female workers were exposed over about 10 years to synthetic detergents used for degreasing of metals. These detergents contained different alkylphenols (including octylphenol). Both of them showed depigmentation and leucoderma at hands and arms respectively supraclavicular region.
The report cannot be used as for the risk assessment of nonylphenol because both workers were exposed to undefined mixtures of detergents. Based on the reported data it is not possible to conclude that nonylphenol facilitates depigmentation.