Usnic acid

Agent Name
Usnic acid
CAS Number
125-46-2
Formula
C18-H16-O7
Major Category
Other Uses
Usnic acid formula graphical representation
Synonyms
1,3-(2H,9bH)-Dibenzofurandione, 2,6-diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyl-; 2,6-Diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyl-1,3(2H,9bH)-dibenzofurandione; Usnein; Usniacin; Usninic acid; Usninsaeure [German]; Usno; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Preservatives
Description
Yellow solid; [Merck Index] Yellow crystalline solid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Antibacterial compound present in lichens; [Merck Index] Used as preservative and antibiotic (folk remedy); [HSDB] Used as a topical antibiotic; Workers exposed to lichens (forestry and horticulture) may develop allergic contact dermatitis. [Kanerva, p. 1845]
Comments
May cause skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis; [HSDB]
Reference Link #1
A case of contact dermatitis from lichens in south... [Contact Dermatitis. 1995] - PubMed result
Biomedical References
Search PubMed

Exposure Assessment

Vapor Pressure
1.14E-12 mm Hg

Adverse Effects

Skin Sensitizer
Yes

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure: