STEARATES
Agent Name
STEARATES
Alternative Name
CLASS
CAS Number
57-11-4; 557-04-0; 822-16-2; 557-05-1
Formula
varies
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
CLASSES; Stearic acid; Magnesium stearate; Sodium stearate; Zinc stearate;[ACGIH]
Category
Stearates
Description
White to yellow powder or wax-like substance; Stearates are salts of octadecanoic acid; [ACGIH]
Sources/Uses
Used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food additives, waterproofing agents, plastic stabilizers, emulsifiers, and rubber lubricants and dusting agents; "Stearic acid occurs naturally in human and animal fats and oils and in some vegetable oils, including cocoa oil. Stearic acid can be prepared from animal fat (triglyceride) by treating with water at high temperature, leading to hydrolysis of triglycerides, or by hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils such as cottonseed oil." [ACGIH]
Comments
"This TLV Documentation applies only to stearic acid and magnesium, sodium, and zinc stearates. It excludes stearates of other metals." TLV Basis is "lower respiratory tract irritation." "No acute systemic effects of stearic acid have been reported after ingestion. . . . Sprague-Dawley rats fed stearic acid in their diet at 3000 ppm for 209 days showed 'severe pulmonary infection consisting of tracheobronchitis, lobular pneumonia, lipoid histiocytic response, and abscess formation.'" [ACGIH] See "Stearic acid."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
10 mg/m3, inhalable particulate matter (3 mg/m3 for respirable particulate matter)
Adverse Effects
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.