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O-CRESOL


image source: PubChem
Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Canceryes
Developmental & reproductive toxicity no information
Allergies & immunotoxicity no information
Other HIGH concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
Other MODERATE concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
Other LOW concerns: Data gaps, Use restrictions

About the 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

Synonym(s): o-CRESOL, 2-METHYLPHENOL; PHENOL, 2-METHYL-; 2-METHYL- PHENOL; PHENOL, 2METHYL; 1-HYDROXY-2-METHYLBENZENE; 2-CRESOL; 2-HYDROXYTOLUENE; 2-METHYLPHENOL; ORTHOCRESOL; PHENOL, 2-METHYL- (9CI) ; M-CRESOL

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Type of Concern Reference
Known human respiratory toxicantEPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Classified as medium human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Cancer

Type of Concern Reference
Limited evidence of carcinogenicityEPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
Possible carcinogenEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Occupational hazards

Type of Concern Reference
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low dosesEuropean Union - Classification & Labelling

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Type of Concern Reference
Human skin irritant - moderate evidenceNational Library of Medicine HazMap

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
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Miscellaneous

Type of Concern Reference
Occupational hazards related to handling European Union - Classification & Labelling

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Type of Concern Reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food FDA Everything Added to Food

Ecotoxicology

Type of Concern Reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

Type of Concern Reference
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
Insufficient data to determine safety Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Enhanced skin absorption

Type of Concern Reference
Penetration enhancerCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
European Union - Classification & LabellingCPS&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.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
FDA Everything Added to FoodFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986-2005 guidelines.
IFRA Fragrance Ingredient ListIFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
EPA Hazardous Air PollutantsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2005. Office of Air. The 112(b)1 Hazardous Air Pollutants List (as modified). Last modified: 12 Dec 2005.
National Library of Medicine HazMapNLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
EPA Categorized List of Inert Pesticide IngredientsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1987 & 2005. Office of Pesticide Programs. Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients in Pesticide Products - Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients.
EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTsEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.

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