Citronellol Safety Guide

-

 

citronellol aka dihydrogeraniol

What is Citronellol?

Citronellol, also known as dihydrogeraniol and 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol, is a monoterpenoid, a type of organic compound. It is a major component of many essential oils, notably citronella oil, rose oil, and geranium oil. Citronellol is a popular ingredient in many floral fragrances and other cosmetic products such as hand creams. It also has use as a pesticide.

Citronellol has the CAS Number 106-22-9.

Notable Properties of Citronellol

At room temperature, citronellol is a colorless liquid. It has a distinct rose-like scent.

What Makes Citronellol Hazardous?

Citronellol is an irritant, with exposure to concentrated citronellol capable of causing irritation to the skin and eyes. Citronellol is a known human allergen, with dilute mixtures such as those found in perfume causing a reaction in sensitive individuals.

Citronellol Frequently Asked Questions

What makes up citronellol?

Citronellol is an organic compound with the molecular formula C10H20O.

Is citronellol the same as citronella?

No. Citronella refers to a plant, most often Cymbopogon nardus. Citronellol is monoterpenoid compound that is found in the oils of the citronella plant, as well as other plants.

Is citronellol bad for your skin?

Pure citronellol is an irritant, with exposure potentially causing irritation to the skin and eyes.

Dilute citronellol can cause allergic reactions to those with sensitivity to the substance. For those without an allergy to citronellol, it is safe to use in the amounts found in fragrances and cosmetics. If in doubt, seek advice from a licensed medical practitioner.

6 Steps for Safety

Step 1: Read the Warnings

When working with a product for the first time, always read all the safety documents first. This includes safety data sheets, which should be provided by the manufacturer or importer of the citronellol product. There may also be an OSHA chemical label, EPA pesticide label, or a Consumer Protection label on the packaging of the citronellol product. These documents all contain important information on the hazards of the product and instructions on how to mitigate those hazards.

Note that different citronellol products can have different safety considerations depending on the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

Creating a safe workspace, sometimes referred to as engineering control, is a key component of working safely with any potentially hazardous substance.

Citronellol is a liquid in its pure form, which means it can easily flow when spilled, as well as seep into surfaces. Therefore, it is important to have a spill kit available with absorbent material to soak up and capture any spilled citronellol.

Step 3: Gather Your PPE

When working with concentrated citronellol, the following PPE is recommended depending on the engineering controls in place and quantities being handled.

  • Gloves
    • Basic disposable gloves, or other rubberized gloves, will prevent citronellol from touching the skin on the hands and causing irritation.
  • Rubberized Apron
    • A rubberized apron, or another body covering that prevents citronellol from soaking into clothing, is best to prevent skin exposure.
  • Respiratory Protection
    • A mask meant for organic vapors will protect the respiratory system from irritation.
  • Eye Protection
    • Safety goggles which form a protective seal around the eyes can be used to prevent citronellol splash from reaching the eyes.

Step 4: Clear Your Workspace

Having a clear workspace is important for safety as it can prevent accidents caused by tripping, as well as allowing you to easily spot any spills.

This is also a good time to ensure all engineering controls are functional. When working with large quantities of citronellol, it is good to have a spill kit on hand to contain liquid spills. Having materials such as activated carbon on hand can also be useful in the event of a large spill to help neutralize odors.

Step 5: Do The Work

If engineering controls and PPE are used properly, working with citronellol can be done safely.

If work cannot be completed in one sitting, be sure to properly seal any citronellol containers to prevent spills or accidental release when not in use.

Step 6: Clean Up

Citronellol may leave residue from any drips or small spills. Clean up citronellol with an absorbent material, such as paper towels, or a granular absorbent such as sawdust.

Be sure to dispose of any waste in accordance with local regulations.

Further Reading

The National Library of Medicine has a PubChem article on Citronellol.

Check out the Safety Guide Series Hub for more safety guides.

Sources Cited

Andersen, D. N., Holmberg, R. D., Larsen, J. R., Soborg, I., & Cohr, K. H. (2006). Survey and health assessment of chemical substances in massage oils. Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products. https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2006/87-7052-278-2/pdf/87-7052-279-0.pdf

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 8842, beta-CITRONELLOL, (+/-)-. Retrieved August 19, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/beta-CITRONELLOL.

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Annotation Record for , Citronellol, Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Retrieved August 20, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/6805.

Pastor-Nieto, M. A., & Gatica-Ortega, M. E. (2021). Ubiquity, Hazardous Effects, and Risk Assessment of Fragrances in Consumer Products. Current treatment options in allergy, 8(1), 21–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40521-020-00275-7

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mica Powder Safety Guide

-
Image
What is Mica Powder? Mica is a group of natural hydrous silicate minerals noted for their lustrous shine, which makes it a popular additive in powder pigments. Mica can be found both in cosmetics and in artists' pigments used in painting, epoxy resin, soapmaking, and other crafts. Mica groups several different naturally occurring hydrous silicate minerals, including the more common biotite and muscovite, as well as lepidolite, margarite, phlogopite, roscoelite, and zimmwaldite. Mica has a CAS Number 12001-26-2. The CAS Number is used to identify mica as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documentation. When looking for mica as an ingredient in pigments, colorants, finishes, or other materials, look for the CAS Number within the composition table. Notable Properties of Mica Powder Mica is most noted for its lustrous shine or shimmer due to the shape of the hydrous silicate crystals. It is naturally colorless and odorless, with any color or odor coming from na...
Read more

Using the Five Senses for Detecting Hazardous Chemicals

-
Image
  Being informed is an important aspect of maintaining workplace safety. Most information on hazardous chemicals will come from the labels and safety data sheets (SDS). These documents will describe the hazardous properties of the chemicals, as well as their appearance, state of matter, and other identifying chemical and physical properties. Being able to recognize and use this information is important for detecting hazardous chemicals in the event of an accident. How to Safely Use the Five Senses for Detecting Hazardous Chemicals Human senses can be used to directly identify the presence of hazardous chemicals, from seeing a spill to smelling an odor. There are some hazardous chemicals that become hazardous to human health before they can be sensed or cannot be sensed at all due to lacking identifying properties such as color or scent. For these types of hazardous chemicals, detection and alarm systems are a vital part of creating a safe work environment. These alarm systems provi...
Read more

Safety Glasses versus Safety Goggles - Which to Wear?

-
Image
Safety Glasses are on the Left and Safety Goggles are on the Right What is the Difference Between Safety Glasses and Safety Goggles? Safety glasses and safety goggles are both types of eye protection. Choosing which type to wear for a given task is an important part of safety, both in the workplace and when working on home projects or crafts. Safety glasses have a frame, lenses, and side shields. Safety glasses offer protection against impacts but do not offer protection against liquid splashes or fine dust. Safety glasses may be worn over prescription glasses, though this is generally uncomfortable and prone to slippage. It is possible to purchase safety glasses with prescription lenses. Safety goggles have a frame, lens, side shields, and a sealing surface. The sealing surface allows safety goggles to protect against liquid splashes and fine dust from reaching the eyes, as well as from impacts. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription glasses. It is also possible to purchase safe...
Read more