L-Camphor

Synonyms

(-)-Alcanfor; l-Camphor; (-)-Bornan-2-one; Bicyclo(2.2.1)heptan-2-one, 1,7,7-trimethyl-, (1S,4S)-; Camphor, (1S,4S)-(-)-; [ChemIDplus] (1S)-(-)-Camphor; [Merck Index] (-)-Camphor; (1S)- 1,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo(2.2.1)heptane-2-one; (1S)-Camphor; Bicyclo(2.2.1)heptan-2-one, 1,7,7-trimethyl-, (1S)-; L-(-)-Camphor; [CAMEO] UN2717

Category

Plant Oils and Extracts

Description

Colorless to white solid with a strong fragrant odor; [CAMEO] White powder; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Naturally occurring form of camphor; Used in organic synthesis and as an odorant, flavoring agent, moth repellent, preservative, and plasticizer in cosmetics; Also used as a topical analgesic and antipruritic; [Merck Index] Used as a plasticizer for cellulose esters and ethers, to make plastics, cymene, and incense, in lacquers, varnishes, explosives, embalming fluids, pyrotechnics, and insect repellents; [NTP]

Comments

May cause severe skin, eye, mucous membrane, and upper respiratory tract irritation; May cause CNS depression and other nervous system effects; Harmful by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; [NTP] Causes convulsions in oral lethal-dose studies of rats; [RTECS] Camphor used topically during pregnancy in not likely to cause teratogenic effects; [TERIS] An irritant; Readily absorbed through skin; Targets the liver, kidney, and nerves; Ingestion may cause vertigo, confusion, clonic convulsions, coma, respiratory failure, and death; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "Camphor, synthetic."

Biomedical References

0.18 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Camphor."

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)