Phenylethyl alcohol

Synonyms

2-Phenylethanol; 1-Phenyl-2-ethanol; 2-Hydroxyethylbenzene; 2-PEA; 2-Phenethyl alcohol; 2-Phenylethyl alcohol; Benzeneethanol; Benzyl carbinol; Benzylcarbinol; Benzylmethanol; Ethanol, 2-phenyl-; Methanol, benzyl-; PEA; Phenethanol; Phenethyl alcohol; Phenethyl alcohol (natural); beta-Fenethylalkohol [Czech]; beta-Fenylethanol [Czech]; beta-Hydroxyethylbenzene; beta-Phenylethanol; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Alcohols and Polyols, Other

Description

Colorless liquid with a floral odor; [Hawley]

Sources/Uses

Found in many natural essential oils; [Merck Index] Used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages; as a fragrance in perfumes, cosmetics, detergents, synthetic rose oils, and soaps; and as an antibacterial and preservative; [HSDB] Present in food at <20 ppm and in perfumes at 2%; [REPROTOX]

Comments

Higher alcohols are not highly toxic in the industrial setting; Can cause liver injury, somnolence, and respiratory depression in experimental animals; [HSDB] General anesthetic effect after subcutaneous injection of mice; [RTECS] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; Possible toxic effects on human reproduction; [ICSC] May cause corneal injury; [CHEMINFO] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Has teratogenic effects in rats at doses >4.3 mg/kg; [REPROTOX] TLV Basis is embryo/fetal damage. [ACGIH TLVs and BEIs]

Biomedical References

Yes

0.5 ppm

0.0868 mm Hg

7.02 ppm

LC50 (rat) > 500 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 102 deg C; [Hawley] Odor threshold (detection) from CHEMINFO; VP from ChemIDplus;

must be preheated

Acute solvent syndrome

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

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Using Disinfectants or Biocides