Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group - information sheet

Part of the Terpenes and Terpenoids Group

Publications summarized:

• Draft Assessment for Terpenes and Terpenoids Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group (published on February 3, 2024 for a 60-day public comment period ending on April 3, 2024).
• Risk Management Scope for Terpenes and Terpenoids Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group (published on February 3, 2024 for a 60-day public comment period ending on April 3, 2024). Risk management is proposed.
• Associated notice: Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 158, No. 5 – February 3, 2024

On this page

• Overview
• About these substances
• Human and ecological exposures
• Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
• Consideration of subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure
• Risk assessment outcomes
  • Proposed assessment conclusions
• Preventive actions and risk reduction
  • Additional considerations
  • Where to find updates on risk management actions
• Related resources

Overview

• The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
  • The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people or the environment.
  • When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
• As a result of the assessment, the Government is proposing that bay oil, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, violet oil, and lilial may be harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. These 6 substances are associated with potential health effects, as described below.
  • The exposures of concern were from certain cosmetics, natural health products (NHPs), and other products available to consumers, including air fresheners and uses of essential oils in do-it-yourself (DIY) applications, including for personal care.
• Risk management actions are proposed to help reduce exposures of people to these 6 substances from the various products of concern, as described further below.
• The Government is also proposing that verdantiol, myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal and vernaldehyde are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. However, these 6 substances are associated with health effects of concern; therefore, the Government is considering tracking them.
• The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of the 12 substances in this group were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach. None of the 12 substances in this group are proposed to be causing harm to the environment.

About these substances

• There are 76 substances in the larger Terpenes and Terpenoids Group being assessed under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). Information on these substances is provided in their corresponding assessments, which are outlined in the Background section of the Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group web page.
• Most of these terpene and terpenoid substances are essential oils, extracts or components of these from a wide variety of plants. Essential oils are mixtures of volatile, organic compounds that contribute to the flavour and fragrance of the plant. The plant-derived essential oils have many components and can be extracted from different parts of the plant (for example, leaves, seed, stem, flower, root, fruits, woods, barks, grass, gum, tree blossoms, bulbs, or flower buds).
• The assessment summarized here focuses on 12 substances referred to as the Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group. The substances are bay oil, tarragon oil, violet oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, verdantiol, lilial, myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal, and vernaldehyde. The summary of publications section of the group web page includes more details on the substance names and CAS RNs.
• Most of these 12 substances are naturally occurring, while lilial and verdantiol are only human made.
• According to information gathered by the Government, the substances in this group are generally used as fragrance ingredients in cosmetics, drugs including natural health products, cleaning products, and air fresheners.
• Certain terpene and terpenoid substances that have aromatic properties within the Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group are available to consumers as essential oils (products) at a concentration of up to 100%. It is possible that these are used to create DIY products, such as aromatic diffusers, massage oils, bath oil products, body moisturizers and facial steamers, as examples.
• Some of the substances in this group are also present in pest control products as formulants (not active ingredients). In addition, some of these substances occur naturally in food and may be used as food flavouring agents.

Human and ecological exposures

• The assessment indicates that human exposure to these 12 substances from the environment is expected to be low. Also, no sources of exposure were identified for verdantiol.
• Where applicable, the assessment characterized human exposures from the use of cosmetics, drugs, including natural health products, food flavouring agents, cleaning products, air fresheners, and DIY products containing substances in this group. Exposures were expected to be mainly through the dermal (skin) and inhalation routes.
• According to the information considered under the ERC Approach, 11 substances in this group were identified as having low ecological exposure potential. Jasmine oil, however, was classified as having a high ecological exposure potential based on its long half-life in air (ability to stay in air for a long time).

Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

• To help inform the health effects characterization in the assessment, international and national data reports on these substances or similar substances were considered, among other sources of information. These included reviews by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), among others.
• There were limited health effects (hazard) data for some of these substances. Therefore, potential health effects were assessed using data on the main components of the substances or a comparative approach using a similar chemical, called read-across. Critical health effects are based on laboratory studies.
• For bay oil and tarragon oil, the risk characterization was based on a component of these substances, called methyl eugenol, which was assessed in Batch 9 of the the Challenge initiative of the CMP. For tarragon oil, 2 other similar main components (estragole and elemicin) were also used for assessing potential health effects. The critical health effect used to characterize risk for bay oil and tarragon oil was genotoxic carcinogenicity (potential to cause cancer and damage DNA).
• For jasmine oil and perfumes and essences of jasmin, hazard information was based on jasmine extract with the critical effect used to characterize risk being female reproductive toxicity.
• Potential effects on the digestive and respiratory system were used as the critical health effects identified for characterizing risk to human health for violet oil.
• Developmental effects were the critical health effects identified for lilial, which was used to also inform the hazard assessment for verdantiol, myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal, and vernaldehyde.
  • Lilial is classified as a reproductive toxicant according to the harmonized classification and labelling approved by the European Union and is included in their candidate list for authorization as a substance of very high concern.
• According to information considered under the ERC Approach, all 12 substances in this group were identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

Consideration of subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure

• There are groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to substances.
• Certain subpopulations are routinely considered throughout the assessment process, such as infants, children, and people of reproductive age. For instance, age-specific exposures are routinely estimated and developmental and reproductive toxicity studies are evaluated for potential adverse health effects. For substances in this group, these subpopulations were taken into account in the risk assessment outcomes.

Risk assessment outcomes

• Assessments focus on information critical to determining whether substances are harmful to human health or the environment under CEPA. This is done by considering scientific information, including information, if available, on subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure, vulnerable environments and cumulative effects and by incorporating a weight of evidence approach and precaution.
• Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to these substances, and the levels associated with health effects, it was determined that the following substances may pose a risk to human health:
  • Bay oil, when used in DIY products, such as aromatic diffuser or body moisturizer.
  • Tarragon oil, when used daily in body moisturizer, body fragrance and facial moisturizers. It may also pose a risk from its use in DIY products such as in an aromatic diffuser, massage oil, bath oil product, and body moisturizer.
  • Jasmine oil and perfumes and essences of jasmin, when used daily in body moisturizer, body fragrance, facial moisturizer/acne treatment (natural health product), sunscreen (on infants; natural health product), or antiseptic skin cleanser (natural health product). These substances may also pose a risk when used to make DIY products, such as an aromatic diffuser, massage oil, body moisturizer, or in a facial steamer.
  • Violet oil, when used in a massage oil (on children) and in DIY products, such as aromatic diffuser or facial steamers.
  • Lilial, from daily use of certain cosmetics, solid gel air freshener or a liquid plug-in air freshener.
• Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal and vernaldehyde, and the levels associated with health effects, it was determined that the risk to human health from these 5 substances is low. Since there were no identified sources of exposure for verdantiol, the risk to human health from this substance was also determined to be low.
• Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, all 12 substances in the Phenylpropanoids and Aldehydes Group are considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.

Proposed assessment conclusions

• The Government is proposing that bay oil, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, violet oil, and lilial may be harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
• The Government is also proposing that verdantiol, myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal, and vernaldehyde are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
• The Government is also proposing that none of the 12 substances in this group are entering the environment at levels that are harmful.
• It is also proposed that lilial meets the persistence criteria but not the bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA.

Preventive actions and risk reduction

• If the proposed conclusion is confirmed in the final assessment, the Government will consider proposing to add bay oil, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, violet oil, and lilial to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA. Adding a substance to Schedule 1 enables the Government to take enforceable risk management actions under CEPA, using a 2-track approach to manage risks.
  • Toxic substances that pose the highest risk (that is, meet certain criteria) are added to Part 1 of Schedule 1. These are prioritized for total, partial or conditional prohibition.
  • Other toxic substances are added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 and are prioritized for pollution prevention.
  • Regulations specifying criteria for the classification of substances that pose the highest risk or that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction may be developed. When criteria are available, some substances considered for addition to Part 2 of Schedule 1 may instead be considered for addition to Part 1 of Schedule 1.
• Publication of the risk management scope aims to inform stakeholders of proposed risk management options and initiate discussion about their development. The Government will consider the following actions to address human health concerns:

Cosmetics:

• Measures to help reduce inhalation and/or dermal exposures to tarragon oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, violet oil, and lilial from certain cosmetics by describing these substances as prohibited or restricted ingredients on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. The Hotlist is used to communicate that certain substances may not be compliant with requirements of the Food and Drugs Act or the Cosmetic Regulations. Under Canadian legislation, cosmetics that contain substances that are harmful to the user cannot be sold.

Natural health products (NHPs):

• Measures to help reduce inhalation and/or dermal exposures to jasmine oil and perfumes and essences of jasmin from certain natural health products by describing these substances as restricted ingredients on Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID). Actions may aim to lower the concentration of these substances when used as non-medicinal ingredients in certain topical natural health products to levels that are protective of human health.

Certain consumer products, including air freshener products or essential oils sold directly to consumers in vials for use in DIY applications:

• Regulatory or non-regulatory actions to help reduce dermal and/or inhalation exposures to bay oil, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, perfumes and essences of jasmin, violet oil, and lilial from certain consumer products to levels that are protective of human health. A public communications approach for essential oils of concern for human health is also being considered.
• Information is being sought by the Government to inform risk management decision-making. Details can be found in the risk management scope, including where to send information during the public comment period, ending April 3, 2024.
• Risk management options may evolve through consideration of assessments and risk management options published for other substances. This is to ensure effective, coordinated, and consistent risk management decision-making.

Additional considerations

• While exposure of people in Canada to myrac-aldehyde, myrmac-aldehyde, myrmac-carboxaldehyde, cetonal, vernaldehyde and verdantiol is not of concern at current levels, these substances are considered to have health effects of concern. Therefore, there may be a concern if exposures were to increase. For this reason, these 6 substances may be considered in future initiatives to track their commercial status or identify new uses or exposures.
• Stakeholders are encouraged to provide any information pertaining to these 6 substances that may help inform the choice of follow-up activity, during the 60-day public comment period on the assessment. This could include information on new or planned import, manufacture or use of the substance.

Where to find updates on risk management actions

• Additional information on the risk management of substances as well as a table of risk management actions for substances addressed under the CMP is available.
• Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.

Related resources

• These substances are found in products available to consumers. People in Canada should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
• Visit Healthy home for information on chemical safety in and around the home, including on bay oil, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, violet oil, and lilial (for consumers).
• Cosmetics must include a list of all ingredients on the product label using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system. Violet oil, Viola Corsica, Viola Hamiltoniana, Viola Mandschurica, tarragon oil, jasmine oil, Jasminum Grandiflorium, Jasminum Officinale, Jasminum Sambac, Viola Odorata, Viola Prionantha, Viola Tricolor, Viola Websteri, Viola Yedoensis, perfumes and essences of jasmin, and butylphenyl methylpropional are all ingredient names that may appear on the labels.
• Sabinene and phytol, which are main components of tarragon and jasmine oil, respectively, have been identified as possible ingredients in vaping products (such as electronic cigarettes and vaping devices containing cannabis), which may represent an additional source of exposure to these substances.
• Vaping products that do not contain cannabis are being addressed through the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act.
• Cannabis products that may include these substances, such as cannabis vaping products or cannabis topicals, are being addressed through the cannabis legislative framework.
• Assessments conducted under CEPA focus on risks of exposure of the general population. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). If a substance is harmful to the general population, it could also be of concern for individuals in situations where a higher volume of the substance is used or where the substance is used for a longer duration (for example, the workplace). The Government of Canada recognizes that it is the responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial occupational health and safety organizations to coordinate legislation for the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. We are working to support this role by integrating the information, tools, and/or technical expertise of the CMP and Health Canada's Workplace Hazardous Products Program.