Glycidol

CAS Number: 556-52-5

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79
80 89
90 100
52

Sources of exposure:

Industrial uses
Food

Epoxy resin and polymer manufacturing, chemical intermediates, occupational exposure, and certain refined oils and processed foods containing glycidyl ester contaminants

Description:

Glycidol is a reactive organic compound containing both an epoxide group and an alcohol group. It is used primarily as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of polymers, resins, and other specialty chemicals. Dietary exposure can also occur indirectly through glycidyl fatty acid esters formed during high-temperature refining of edible oils, which may release glycidol during digestion.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Reproductive Toxicity

May alter hormone function and harm reproduction.

Genotoxicity

May cause mutations or damage DNA in cells.

Organ System Toxicity

May cause organ damage and disease.

Irritant

May cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Banned/restricted lists:

  • California Proposition 65 - OEHHA - cancer
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II - Prohibited

References

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Cheminformatics Modules, Computational Toxicology and Exposure Informatics (CompTox).

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Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.

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