OLEIC ACID
CASRN: 112-80-1
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Effluent Concentrations :

Wastewater from olive oil production contains oleic acid(1). Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in advanced waste treatment concentrates from Orange County on January 27, 1976 and February 3, 1976 and from Blue Plains, Washington DC(2). Frying of extra-lean and regular hamburger was found to emit 10.1 mg oleic acid/kg meat(3). Char-broiling of extra-lean and regular hamburger was found to emit 82.4-568 mg oleic acid/kg meat(3); it was suggested that meat cooking operations may be an important source of organic aerosol emissions in Los Angeles, CA(3). Oleic acid is present in kraft paper mill wastewaters(4). Oleic acid was found at a concn of 60-891 ug/L in wastewater at the Iona treatment plant in Vancouver, British Columbia(5). Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in wheat and rye straw pulp mill effluents(6).
[(1) Sanchezcrespo R, Pradaalvarezbuylla J; Org Micropollut Aquat Environ. Proc Eur Supp 6th pp. 511-7 (1990) (2) Lucas SV; GC/MS Analysis of Organics in Drinking Water Concentrates & Advanced Waste Treatment Concentrates: Vol 1. USEPA-600/1-84-020A Columbus,Ohio: Columbus Labs. Health Eff Res Lab pp. 46,166 (1984) (3) Rogge WF et al; Environ Sci Technol 25: 1112-25 (1991) (4) Keith LH; Environ Sci Technol 10: 555-64 (1976) (5) Rogers H et al; Water Poll Res J Canada 21: 187-204 (1986) (6) Folke J, Lindguard-Joergensen P; Toxicol Environ Chem 10: 1-24 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Fate/Exposure Summary :

Oleic acid occurs as a natural product in the essential oils of various plants. It has been identified in various foods, such as brown rice and beef. Oleic acid is released to the atmosphere in emissions from tobacco smoke, biomass combustion, coal/refuse combustion, veneer drying, and cooking hamburger meat. It is also released in wastewater effluents from pulp and paper mills, olive oilproduction, and waste treatment plants. If released to the atmosphere, oleic acid will degrade by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (estimated half-life of about 5 hours). It may be physically removed from air by dry deposition. If released to soil or water, oleic acid is expected to biodegrade; a variety of biodegradation screening studies have demonstrated that oleic acid biodegrades. However, the rate of biodegradation may be diminished due to concurrent adsorption (estimated Koc of 38,000). Occupational exposure to oleic acid occurs primarily through dermal contact. The general population is exposed to oleic acid through consumption of food, consumption of drinking water, and dermal contact with cosmetics and ointments in which it is contained. (SRC)
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

O1eic acid injection produces acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension in adult animals. In other types of acute lung injury, such as that caused by E coli endotoxin, metabolites of arachidonic acid are important mediators of pulmonary hypertension. Oleic acid /was injected/ into awake, chronically instrumented newborn lambs. The hemodynamic response of lambs to injection of oleic acid alone was compared to their response after pretreatment with either FPL57231, a putative leukotriene receptor antagonist, or indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase synthesis inhibitor. Oleic acid caused acute pulmonary hypertension associated with an increase in protein-rich lung lymph fluid. Systemic hemodynamic effects were variable. FPL57231 completely blocked the oleic acid induced pulmonary hypertension while indomethacin significantly attenuated the response. Therefore, metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism appear to be important mediators of oleic acid induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn lambs.
[Schreiber MD, Soifer SJ; J Dev Physiol 16 (3): 167-72 (1991)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

The capacity of stearic, monochlorostearic, dichlorostearic and oleic acids to cause membrane damage was measured as their ability to induce leakage of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from mammalian tumour cells in vitro. Chlorinated stearic acids, and oleic acid, caused ATP leakage at lower concentrations than normal stearic acid. The membrane disturbing properties are suggested to be a result of the different molecular geometries of the chlorinated stearic acids and oleic acid, compared to non-chlorinated stearic acid.
[Ewald G, Sundin P; Pharmacol & Toxicol 73 (3): 159-62 (1993)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Biodegradation :

A 47 and 52 theoretical %BOD for oleic acid (initial concn of 1,000 ppm) was measured under aerobic conditions over a period of 5 days in screening tests at 20 deg C using sewage inoculum(1). A biodegradation half-life of 0.66 days was measured for oleic acid at an initial concn of 100 ppm with an aerobic Warburg respirometer at 25 deg C using activated sludge inocula(2). In another screening study a first order rate constant was measured to be 0.12 1/hr for oleic acid (initial concn of 100 ppm) which corresponds to a biodegradation half-life of 0.2 days(5). Oleic acid at initial concns of 1, 10, 1, and 10 ppm exhibited 90, 24, 97, and 28 theoretical %BOD, respectively, over incubation periods of 5, 5, 10, and 10 days, respectively, in an aerobic screening study using sewage inoculum(3). A 68 theoretical %BOD (initial concn of 100 ppm) was measured under aerobic conditions over a period of 5 days in a screening test at 20 deg C using sewage inoculum(4). A 39 theoretical %BOD for oleic acid (initial concn not given) was measured under aerobic conditions over a period of 5 days in a screening test at 20 deg C using sewage inoculum(6).
[(1) Gellman I, Heukelekian H; Sew Indust Wastes 23: 1267-81 (1951) (2) Novak JT, Kraus DL; Water Res 7: 843-51 (1973) (3) Read AD, Manser RM; Water Res 10: 243-51 (1976) (4) Stafford W, Northup HJ; Amer Dyestuff Reporter 44: 355-9 (1955) (5) Urano K, Saito M; Chemosphere 14: 1333-42 (1985) (6) Bogan RH, Sawyer CN; Sew Ind Wastes 27: 917-28 (1955)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Water Concentrations :

SURFACE WATER: Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in the lower Fox River, Wisconsin(1). Oleic acid was detected at concns of 1-114 ug/l at distances 0.1-6 km from a kraft pulp mill sewer in the southern part of Lake Saimaa, Finland(2). During summer and fall of 1990, oleic acid was detected at a maximum concn of 12 ug/L from 13 water samples taken in northern Alberta(3). Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in 5 of 15 water samples taken from Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, during the summer of 1983(4).
[(1) Peterman PH et al; Hydrocarbons & Halogenated Hydrocarbons in the Aquatic Environment. Afghan, BK, Mackay, D eds. NY: Plenum Press pp. 145-60 (1980) (2) Oikari A et al; Pap Puu 62: 193-6, 199-202 (1980) (3) Morales A et al; Water Environ Res 64: 660-8 (1992) (4) Great Lakes Water Quality Board; A Review of Lake Superior Water Quality with Emphasis on the 1983 Intensive Survey (1990)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

The effect of oleic acid on insulin secretion was studied in the isolated perfused rat pancreas. In the absence of glucose a continuous infusion of oleic acid (1500 uM) induced a biphasic insulin release. The results suggest that high conc of oleic acid stimulate insulin release from the isolated perfused rat pancreas and modulate the insulin response to arginine or glucose.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4965]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Food Survey Values :

Hydrogenated coconut oil, regular hard margarine, and hard butter contain 3.6, 59, and 83 grams oleic acid per 100 grams of fat, respectively(1). Oleic acid is a natural constituent of peanut oil (36-72 wt%), palm kernel oil (9-16 wt%), coconut oil (6-8 wt%), olive oil (65-85 wt%), corn oil (19-50 wt%), palm oil (38-44 wt%), rapeseed oil (11-60 wt%), soybean oil (20-30 wt%), sunflower oil (14-65 wt %), herring oil (8-15 wt%), sardine oil (15-25 wt%), and beef tallow (20-50 wt%)(2). Oleic acid's composition in brown rice ranges from 37.9-51.6 wt% of total acids(3).
[(1) Noznick PP; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A8: 240 (1987) (2) Brockmann R et al; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A10: 255 (1987) (3) Taira H et al; J Agric Food Chem 36: 45-7 (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Fate :

AQUATIC FATE: Several screening studies(1-6) indicate that oleic acid will rapidly biodegrade in aquatic ecosystems(SRC). Adsorption to sediment (estimated Koc of 38,000) and bioconcentration in aquatic organisms (estimated BCF of 44,000) are expected to be important transport processes for the undissociated form of oleic acid in water systems(8,SRC). Based on the pKa value of 5.02(7), oleic acid will be 99% dissociated at pH 7(SRC). Volatilization from water may be important from shallow, rapidly moving waters (estimated half-life from a model river is 1.6 days(8,SRC)).
[(1) Gellman I, Heukelekian H; Sew Indust Wastes 23: 1267-81 (1951) (2) Novak JT, Kraus DL; Water Res 7: 843-51 (1973) (3) Read AD, Manser RM; Water Res 10: 243-51 (1976) (4) Stafford W, Northup HJ; Amer Dyestuff Reporter 44: 355-9 (1955) (5) Urano K, Saito M; Chemosphere 14: 1333-42 (1985) (6) Bogan RH, Sawyer CN; Sew Ind Wastes 27: 917-28 (1955) (7) Riddick JA et al; Organic Solvents 4th ed; NY: Wiley p. 379 (1986) (8) Lyman WJ et al; Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Washington,DC: Amer Chem Soc pp. 4-9, 5- 4, 5-10, 15-15 to 15-29 (1990)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Soil Adsorption/Mobility :

Based on an estimated log octanol/water partition coefficient of 7.73(2) and a regression derived equation(1), the Koc for undissociated oleic acid can be estimated to be approximately 38,000(SRC). According to a suggested classification scheme(3), this Koc value indicates that oleic acid will be immobile in soil(3); therefore, adsorption to soil and sediment may be an important fate process(SRC). Based on a pKa value of 5.02(4), oleic acid will be 99% dissociated at pH 7(SRC). No experimental data are available to determine whether the oleate ion will adsorb to sediment or soil less strongly than its estimated Koc value indicates(SRC).
[(1) Lyman WJ et al; Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Washington,DC: Amer Chem Soc pp. 4-9, 5-4, 5-10, 7-4, 7-5, 15-15 to 15-32 (1990) (2) Meylan WM, Howard PH; Group Contribution Method for Estimating Octanol-Water Partition Coefficients SETAC Meeting Cincinnati,OH Nov 8-12 (1992) (3) Swann RL et al; Res Rev 85: 17-28 (1983) (4) Riddick JA et al; Organic Solvents 4th ed; NY: Wiley p. 379 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Fate :

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based on an experimental vapor pressure of 5.46X10-7 mm Hg at 25 deg C(1), oleic acid will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere(2); monitoring data support this estimate(4). Vapor-phase oleic acid is degraded by reaction with photochemically formed hydroxyl radicals in the ambient atmosphere; the half-life for this reaction in air can be estimated to be about 5 hours(3,SRC). Oleic acid has been found on airborne particulate matter(5-6) which would suggest removal from air via dry deposition(SRC).
[(1) Daubert TE, Danner RP; Physical & Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Chemicals 4 NY: Hemisphere Pub Corp (1989) (2) Eisenreich SJ et al; Environ Sci Technol 15: 30-8 (1981) (3) Atkinson R; Environ Toxicol Chem 7: 435-42 (1988) (4) Cautreels W, Cauwenberghe K; Atmos Environ 12: 1133-41 (1978) (5) Yokouchi Y, Ambe Y; Atmos Environ 20: 1727-35 (1986) (6) Kawanura K, Gagosian RB; Nature 325: 330-2 (1987)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Fish/Seafood Concentrations :

Oleic acid is a natural constituent of whale oil (22-35 wt%), sardine oil (15-25 wt%), and herring oil (8-15 wt%)(1). During summer and fall of 1990, oleic acid was detected at a maximum concn of 690 ug/g from 11 fish bile samples taken in northern Alberta(2). Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in lake trout and walleye collected from Lake Michigan and Lake Erie 3).
[(1) Brockmann R et al; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A10: 255 (1987) (2) Morales A et al; Water Environ Res 64: 660-8 (1992) (3) Hesselberg RJ, Seelye JG; Admen Rep No 82-1 Ann Arbor, MI: US Fish Wildlife soc Great Lakes Fishery Lab (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Artificial Pollution Sources :

Oleic acid is released in emissions from tobacco smoke and veneer drying(2). It is also released to the environment in fly ash emissions from coal/refuse combustion(3). Oleic acid can be released in urban runoff(1). It is released in pulp and paper mill effluents, as well as publically owned treatment work (POTW) effluents(3-5). Cooking extra-lean and regular hamburger releases oleic acid to the air(6).
[(1) Bomboi MT et al; Sci Tot Environ 93: 523-36 (1990) (2) Graedel TE et al (eds); Atmospheric Chemical Compounds NY: Academic Press p. 352 (1986) (3) Junk GA, Ford CS; Chemosphere 9: 187-230 (1980) (3) Keith LH; Environ Sci Technol 10: 555-64 (1976) (4) Rogers H et al; Water Poll Res J Canada 21: 187-204 (1986) (5) Folke J, Lindguard-Joergensen P; Toxicol Environ Chem 10: 1-24 (1985) (6) Rogge WF et al; Environ Sci Technol 25: 1112-25 (1991)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Biodegradation :

After a 16 day acclimation time, a 63.5 theoretical %BOD was measured for oleic acid (initial concn not given) over a period of 5 days in an aerobic screening test at 20 deg C using activated sludge inocula(1). A 47.7 and 52.9 theoretical %BOD for oleic acid (initial concn not given) was measured under aerobic conditions over a period of 5 days in screening tests at 20 deg C using sewage inoculum(2). A 57.2 theoretical %BOD was measured for oleic acid (initial concn of 500 ppm) over a period of 5 days in an aerobic screening test at 20 deg C using activated sludge inoculum(3).
[(1) Bogan RH, Sawyer CN; Sew Ind Wastes 27: 917-28 (1955) (2) Heukelekian H, Rand MC; J Water Pollut Contr Assoc 27: 1040-53 (1955) (3) Saito T et al; Fresenius' Z Anal Chem 319: 433-4 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Atmospheric Concentrations :

RURAL/REMOTE: Oleic acid was found at concns of 190 ng/cu-m in January of 1981, 3.6 ng/cu-m in July of 1981, and 2.1 ng/cu-m in August of 1981 from aerosol samples taken 1 m above ground level in a heavily vegetated area of American Samoa(1). Oleic acid was detected at a concn of 0.043 ng/cu-m on an aerosol sample taken above the North Pacific Ocean During May of 1986(1). The mean concn of oleic acid on aerosols over the North Atlantic Ocean was 1.6 ng/cu-m in 1978(2).
[(1) Kawanura K, Gagosian RB; Nature 325: 330-2 (1987) (2) Duce RA et al; Rev Geophys Space Phys 21: 921-52 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Metabolism/Metabolites :

The normal metabolic pathway of palmitic and stearic acids in mammals produces oleic acid. Oleic acid, on a series of elongation and desaturation steps, may be converted into longer chain eicosatrienoic and nervonic acid.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4966]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

FIFRA Requirements :

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Oleic acid is found on List D. Case No: 4083; Pesticide type: insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, rodenticide, antimicrobial; Case Status: RED Approved 09/92; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Oleic acid; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."
[USEPA/OPP; Status of Pesticides in Registration, Reregistration and Special Review p.336 (Spring, 1998) EPA 738-R-98-002]**QC REVIEWED**

 

Probable Routes of Human Exposure :

During its production and use, workers may be exposed to oleic acid via dermal contact(SRC). The general population is exposed to oleic acid through consumption of food (since it occurs in various foods(2-4)), consumption of drinking water(5,SRC), and through dermal contact during its use in cosmetics and ointments(1,SRC).
[(1) Sax NI, Lewis RJ Jr; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 11th ed. NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co p. 854 (1987) (2) Noznick PP; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A8: 240 (1987) (3) Brockmann R et al; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A10: 255 (1987) (4) Taira H et al; J Agric Food Chem 36: 45-7 (1988) (5) Lucas SV; GC/MS Analysis of Organics in Drinking Water Concentrates & Advanced Waste Treatment Concentrates: Vol 1. USEPA-600/1-84-020A Columbus, OH: Columbus Labs. Health Effl Res Lab pp. 45,134 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Bioconcentration :

Based on an estimated log octanol/water partition coefficient of 7.73(2) and a regression derived equation(1), the BCF for undissociated oleic acid can be estimated to be approximately 44,000(SRC). This estimated BCF suggets that oleic acid may bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms(SRC).
[(1) Lyman WJ et al; Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Washington,DC: Amer Chem Soc pp. 4-9, 5-4, 5-10, 7-4, 7-5, 15-15 to 15-32 (1990) (2) Meylan WM, Howard PH; Group Contribution Method for Estimating Octanol-Water Partition Coefficients SETAC Meeting Cincinnati,OH Nov 8-12 (1992)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Atmospheric Concentrations :

URBAN/SUBURBAN: Oleic acid was qualitatively detected in airborne particulate matter in a suburban area in Japan(1). Oleic acid was qualitatively found in the gas phase in air from an unknown urban area and it was quantitatively identified in particulate samples at concns of 1.31-2.68 ug/1000 cu-m(2).
[(1) Yokouchi Y, Ambe Y; Atmos Environ 20: 1727-35 (1986) (2) Cautreels W, Vancauwenberghe K; Atmos Environ 12: 1133-41 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Human Toxicity Excerpts :

Neutrophils from healthy volunteers were isolated and incubated with albumin-bound oleic acid. Standard in vitro function tests including phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, and chemotaxis were performed after the incubation. Oleic acid caused no changes in bactericidal activity and only moderate decreases in phagocytosis and chemotaxis at high conc.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4966]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Fate :

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Biodegradation is expected to be the dominant fate process in soil based on half-lives of 0.2 and 0.66 days in screening tests(1-2,SRC). An estimated Koc of 38,000(4,SRC) suggests that oleic acid, in the undissociated form, will be immobile in soil(5). Based on the pKa value of 5.02(3), oleic acid will be 99% dissociated at pH 7(SRC) and no data are available to determine whether the oleate ion will adsorb to soil less strongly than by its estimated Koc.
[(1) Novak JT, Kraus DL; Water Res 7: 843-51 (1973) (2) Urano K, Saito M; Chemosphere 14: 1333-42 (1985) (3) Riddick JA et al; Organic Solvents 4th ed; NY: Wiley p. 379 (1986) (4) Lyman WJ et al; Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Washington,DC: Amer Chem Soc pp. 4-9, 5-4, 5-10, 15-15 to 15-29 (1990) (5) Swann RL et al; Res Rev 85: 17-28 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

Oleic acid was found to be negative when tested for mutagenicity using the Salmonella/microsome preincubation assay, using the standard protocol approved by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Oleic acid was tested in as many as 5 Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA97, TA98, and TA100) in the presence and absence of rat and hamster liver S-9, at doses of 0.100, 0.300, 1.000, 3.300, 10.000, 33.000, 100.000, and 333.000 ug/plate. The highest ineffective dose tested in any S. typhimurium strain was 333.000 ug/plate. Slight clearing of the background bacterial lawn occurred at 10.000 ug/plate in cultures without activation (the highest dose tested without S-9). In cultures tested with activation, clearing of the background lawn was not seen until the dose reached 333.000 ug/plate.
[Mortelmans K et al; Environ Mutagen 8: 1-119 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Water Concentrations :

DRINKING WATER: Oleic acid was qualitatively detected in drinking water concentrate from New Orleans, LA on January 14, 1976, Cincinnati, OH on January 14, 1980, and Seattle, WA on November 5, 1976(1). Oleic acid was qualitatively identified in water from a British drinking water supply(2).
[(1) Lucas SV; GC/MS Analysis of Organics in Drinking Water Concentrates & Advanced Waste Treatment Concentrates: Vol 1. USEPA-600/1-84-020A Columbus,Ohio: Columbus Labs. Health eff res lab pp. 45,134 (1984) (2) Crathorne B et al; Environ Sci Technol 18: 797-802 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

Dogs received weekly injections of 0.09 g/kg of oleic acid over a period of 1 to 3 months and responded with a variety of pulmonary changes. Early changes were thromboses and cellular necrosis. These changes were followed by a repair stage with proliferation of type 2 cells and fibrotic foci in subpleural areas. A later change was pulmonary fibrosis. The extent of lesions was related to the number of oleic acid injections.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4965]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Natural Pollution Sources :

Oleic acid is a natural constituent of cotton seed oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil, corn oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, herring oil, sardine oil, whale oil, beef tallow(1), and brown rice(2). Furthermore, oleic acid can be released in runoff from its natural sources(3) and in emissions from biomass combustion(4).
[(1) Brockmann R et al; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A10: 255 (1987) (2) Taira H et al; J Agric Food Chem 36: 45-7 (1988) (3) Bomboi MT et al; Sci Tot Environ 93: 523-36 (1990) (4) Graedel TE et al; Atmospheric Chemical Compounds NY: Academic Press p. 352 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

It has recently been shown that the infusion of oleic acid into the rat pancreaticobiliary duct causes a reproducible and long-lasting atrophy of exocrine pancreas. The effects of this pancreatic atrophy on non-invasive pancreatic function tests have not been fully characterized. This study was undertaken to determine which pancreatic function test was most useful in determining pancreatic insufficiency in this model. Pancreatic insufficiency (PI) was induced in male Wistar rats by oleic acid infusion and three pancreatic function tests were compared in these animals and saline controls. The coefficient of fat absorption on a 5 or 45% fat diet and bentiromide testing could not differentiate animals with or without pancreatic insufficiency but fecal chymotrypsin levels were excellent discriminators. All animals with pancreatic insufficiency had fecal-chymotrypsin levels below 67 U/g feces whereas all saline controls were above this level.
[Henry JP, Steinberg WM; Pancreas 8 (5): 622-6 (1993)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Formulations/Preparations :

GRADES: VARIETY OF TECHNICAL GRADES; GRADE FREE FROM CHICK EDEMA FACTOR; USP; FCC; 99+%. A PURIFIED TECHNICAL OLEIC ACID CONTAINING 90% OR MORE OLEIC, 4% MAXIMUM LINOLEIC & 6% MAXIMUM SATURATED ACIDS IS AVAIL.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 854]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

General Manufacturing Information :

OBTAINED AS BY-PRODUCT IN MFR OF SOLID STEARIC & PALMITIC ACIDS USED IN MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES, STEARATES, & OTHER PRODUCTS. CRUDE OLEIC ACID IS KNOWN AS "RED OIL," STEARIC & PALMITIC ACIDS BEING SEPARATED BY COOLING MIXTURE & FILTERING.
[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975. 1247]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Methods of Manufacturing :

FREE FATTY ACID IS OBTAINED FROM THE GLYCERIDE BY HYDROLYSIS, STEAM DISTILLATION & SEPARATION BY CRYSTALLIZATION OR SOLVENT EXTRACTION. FILTRATION FROM PRESS CAKE RESULTS IN OLEIC ACID OF COMMERCE (RED OIL) WHICH IS PURIFIED & BLEACHED FOR SPECIFIC USES.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 854]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities :

The improved preparation of 1,4-octadecanolactone involves heating oleic acid (or other C18 acids) with 70% perchloric acid to 115 deg C. This is considered to be a potentially dangerous method.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990 961]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

FDA Requirements :

/Oleic acid derived from tall oil fatty acids/ is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption, as long as 1) the quantity added to food does not exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish its intended physical, nutritive, or other technical effect in food, and 2) when intended for use in or on food it is of appropriate food grade and is prepared and handled as a food ingredient.
[21 CFR 172.862 (4/1/93)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities :

Shortly after mixing /aluminum and oleic acid/, an explosion occurred, but this could not be repeated. The acid may have been peroxidized.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990 29]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

General Manufacturing Information :

OLEIC ACID ... MOST ABUNDANT OF ALL NATURAL FATTY ACIDS.
[Patty, F. (ed.). Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume II: Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Interscience Publishers, 1963. 1791]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

DELTA(9)-CIS-OLEIC ACID
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Synonyms :

CIS-OLEIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

EMERSOL 221 LOW TITER WHITE OLEIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

EMERSOL 220 WHITE OLEIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Analytic Laboratory Methods :

OLEIC ACID DETERMINATION IN OILS & FATS BY UV SPECTROPHOTOMETRY.
[Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 10th ed. and supplements. Washington, DC: Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 1965. New editions through13th ed. plus supplements, 1982.,p. 13/444 28.045]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

FIFRA Requirements :

Oleic acid is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a defoaming agent in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to animals.
[40 CFR 180.1001(e) (7/1/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

FIFRA Requirements :

Residues of oleic acid are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a diluent in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.
[40 CFR 180.1001(c) (7/1/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Allowable Tolerances :

Oleic acid is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a defoaming agent in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to animals.
[40 CFR 180.1001(e) (7/1/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Allowable Tolerances :

Residues of oleic acid are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a diluent in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.
[40 CFR 180.1001(c) (7/1/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Probable Routes of Human Exposure :

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 818,506 workers are potentially exposed to oleic acid in the USA(1).
[(1) NIOSH National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Interactions :

LOW CONCN OF ... OLEIC ACID ... CAUSED CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN THE INTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF AMORPHOUS & POLYMORPHIC CHLORAMPHENICOL IN THE CAT.
[The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals. Volume 2: A Review of the Literature Published Between 1970 and 1971. London: The Chemical Society, 1972. 417]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

The influence of various dietary constituents--phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), oleic acid (OA), triolein (TO), and vitamin A (ROL)--on the genotoxic activity of nitrosamines (NDMA, NDELA, NPYR) was investigated. For this purpose differential DNA repair assays with Escherichia coli K-12 strains were performed in vitro and in vivo with mice. Under in vitro conditions (liquid holding), all compounds reduced nitrosamine induced DNA-damage in the indicator bacteria in the dose range 1-10 ug/ml, the ranking order of efficiency being pheneethylisothiocyanate greater than vitamin A greater than or equal to triolein.
[Knasmuller S et al; Carcinogenesis 13 (9): 1643-50 (1992)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Human Toxicity Excerpts :

Oleic acid in human blood reversibly altered the shape of erythrocytes, led to the reduction of viscosity of the blood in vitro, and reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4966]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Other Environmental Concentrations :

Oleic acid was found at concns of 1115.5, 10.7, and 130.9 ug/g in tire wear particles, brake lining particles, and road dust particles(1).
[(1) Rogge W et al; Environ Sci Technol 27: 1892-904 (1993)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Plant Concentrations :

Oleic acid is a natural constituent of cotton seed oil (13-44 wt%) and linseed oil (15-25 wt%)(1).
[(1) Brockmann R et al; Ullmann's Encycl Indust Chem A10: 255 (1987)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Sediment/Soil Concentrations :

During summer and fall of 1990, Oleic acid was detected at a maximum concn of 4.3 ug/g from 21 sediment samples taken in northern Alberta(1).
[(1) Morales A et al; Water Environ Res 64: 660-8 (1992)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Effluent Concentrations :

Oleic acid was detected at a concn range of 6-11 ppb in publically owned treatment work (POTW) effluents from three New Jersey facilities(1).
[(1) Clark LB et al; Res J WPCF 63: 104-13 (1991)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Water Concentrations :

GROUNDWATER: Oleic acid was found at a maximum concn of 142 ng/L in groundwater near Barcelona, Spain(1).
[(1) Guardiola J et al; Water Supply 7: 11-6 (1989)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Volatilization from Water/Soil :

The Henry's Law constant for oleic acid can be estimated to be 4.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole at 25 deg C using a structure estimation method(1,SRC). According to a suggested classification scheme(2), this value of Henry's Law constant suggests that volatilization may be important in shallow rapidly moving water(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep flowing 1 m/sec with a wind velocity of 3 m/sec) can be estimated to be about 1.6 days(2,SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep) can be estimated to be about 17 days(2,SRC).
[(1) Meylan W, Howard PH; Environ Toxicol Chem 10: 1283-93 (1991) (2) Lyman WJ et al; Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Washington,DC: Amer Chem Soc pp. 15-15 to 15-29 (1990)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

... Oleic acid or neutralized sodium oleate injected into the corneas of rabbits caused the eyes to become inflamed within a few hours, to develop corneal abscess within a few days, and to become extensively scarred and vascularized. There was necrosis in the immediate region of the injection, and formation of fat droplets in surviving surrounding corneal cells.
[Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986. 675]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

General Manufacturing Information :

HEAVY METALS & CALCIUM SALTS FORM INSOLUBLE OLEATES. IODINE SOLN ARE DECOLORIZED BY FORMATION OF IODINE ADDITION CMPD OF OLEIC ACID.
[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975. 1247]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Environmental Abiotic Degradation :

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of oleic acid with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals can be estimated to be 7.5X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 deg C which corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 5 hours at an atmospheric concn of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1,SRC).
[(1) Atkinson R; Environ Toxicol Chem 7: 435-42 (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Interactions :

ALTERATIONS IN PHOSPHOLIPID COMPOSITION IN BRAIN & HEART OCCURS IN RESPONSE TO ETHANOL IN THOSE STRAINS OF MICE THAT SHOW RAPID TOLERANCE TO ETHANOL. AN INCREASE IN LIVER PHOSPHOLIPIDS CONTAINING OLEIC ACID WERE FOUND IN ALL STRAINS.
[LITTLETON JM ET AL; ADV EXP MED BIOL 126 (BIOL EFF ALCOHOL): 7 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN OLEIC ACID OF LECITHIN IN ALCOHOLICS, (OBSERVED IN BOTH LECITHIN & TRIGLYCERIDES), AS COMPARED TO NORMALS.
[ALLING C ET AL; ACTA MED SCAND SUPPL 631: 38 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Absorption, Distribution & Excretion :

METABOLISM OF TRITIATED OLEIC ACID WAS STUDIED IN RATS DURING 600 DAYS. DURING FIRST 4 DAYS, HALF ACTIVITY IS FIXED TO WATER & HALF IS STORED IN ADIPOSE TISSUE WHICH IT LEAVES QUICKLY, THEN MORE SLOWLY WITH T/2 OF ABOUT 200 DAYS.
[JEANMAIRE L ET AL; REPORT ISS CEA-R-4975 34 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

% COMPOSITION OF OLEIC ACID IN LIPID FRAGMENTS DECREASED WITH METHYLMERCURY CHLORIDE (DOSAGE: 1-10 MG/KG) EXCEPT FOR THAT IN PHOSPHOLIPIDS OF KIDNEY OF RATS RECEIVING LOWEST DOSE.
[ANDO T ET AL; BULL ENVIRON CONTAM TOXICOL 22 (1-2): 214 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

FDA Requirements :

/Oleic acid, sulfated/ is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.
[21 CFR 175.105 (4/1/93)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

OLEIC ACID CONJUGATE OF DDT WAS RETAINED IN VIVO IN LIVERS & SPLEEN OF MALE & FEMALE RATS GIVEN CHRONIC IP DDT INJECTIONS.
[LEIGHTY EG ET AL; TOXICOLOGY 15 (2): 77 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

FREE OLEIC ACID IN PLASMA WAS INCREASED IN 12 HEALTHY MALE VOLUNTEERS TREATED WITH DAILY ORAL DOSES OF HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 100 MG, CHLORTHALIDONE 100 MG, OR FUROSEMIDE 80 MG FOR 3 WEEKS IN CROSS-OVER TRIAL.
[JOOS C ET AL; EUR J CLIN PHARMACOL 17 (4): 251 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

SODIUM HYDROCORTISONE 21-PHOSPHATE (5 MG/KG, IP, DAILY FOR 14 DAYS) LOWERED THE PERCENTAGE OF OLEIC ACID.
[DAVE G ET AL; COMP BIOCHEM PHYSIOL A 64A (1): 37 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

RATS WERE GIVEN IV INJECTIONS OF 3% METHYLNITROSOUREA (60 MG/KG) FOR 6 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE & PLASMALOGEN WERE CHARACTERIZED BY A DIMINISHED CONTENT OF OLEIC ACID (18:1).
[WENDER M ET AL; NEUROPATOL POL 18 (1): 53 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

WITHIN 30-60 SECONDS AFTER IMPLANTATION OF POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE BONE CEMENT, OLEIC ACID CONTENT DOUBLED IN VENA CAVA BLOOD.
[SEIDEL H ET AL; ANAESTHESIOL INTENSIVEMED (BERLIN) 125: 391 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

General Manufacturing Information :

EMULSIONS OF 10% FAT (INTRALIPID 10%) ARE PREPD FROM REFINED SOY BEAN OIL, EGG-YOLK PHOSPHOLIPIDS, & GLYCERIN. THE MAJOR FATTY ACIDS ARE LINOLEIC, OLEIC, PALMITIC, & LINOLENIC. THE PREPN IS ISOTONIC & MAY BE ADMIN INTO A PERIPHERAL VEIN ... IN PARENTERAL ALIMENTATION.
[Gilman, A. G., L. S. Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 6th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. 1980. 863]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Preventive Measures :

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Formulations/Preparations :

SEVERAL GRADES ... AVAILABLE IN COMMERCE, VARYING ... PALE YELLOW TO RED BROWN & DEPENDING ON AMT OF STEARIC, ETC, SATURATED ACID PRESENT, BECOMING TURBID AT 8-16 DEG C. THE ACID OF COMMERCE USUALLY CONTAINS 7-12% SATURATED ACIDS ... STEARIC, PALMITIC ... LINOLEIC, ETC, UNSATURATED ACIDS.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 1079]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

General Manufacturing Information :

... CONSISTS CHIEFLY OF (Z)-9-OCTADECENOIC ACID ... USUALLY CONTAINS VARIABLE AMT OF OTHER FATTY ACIDS PRESENT IN TALLOW SUCH AS LINOLENIC & STEARIC ACIDS.
[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975. 1247]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Major Uses :

CHEM INT FOR METALLIC & AMINE SOAPS; PELARGONIC ACID, AZELAIC ACID, NITROGEN DERIVS; ANIONIC & NONIONIC SURFACTANTS, PLASTICIZERS; TEXTILE CHEMICALS; WAXES
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

TEGO-OLEIC 130
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Major Uses :

SOLVENT FOR OTHER OILS, FATTY ACIDS & OIL-SOLUBLE MATERIALS
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 854]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Major Uses :

COMPOSITION IN WHEAT FLOUR FATTY ACIDS: 11.5%.
[Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. Volume 2. Edited, translated, and revised by T.E. Furia and N. Bellanca. 2nd ed. Cleveland: The Chemical Rubber Co., 1975. 711]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Major Uses :

... A DEFOAMING AGENT IN WET-PROCESS PHOSPHORUS ACID PROCESS, IT IS REPORTED TO ENLARGE GYPSUM CRYSTALS 75% & THUS AID IN FILTRATION STEP.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1980. Willoughby, Ohio: Meister, 1980.,p. B-62]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Major Uses :

DEFOAMING AGENT IN WET-PROCESS PHOSPHORIC ACID PROCESS
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1980. Willoughby, Ohio: Meister, 1980.,p. B-62]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

CIS-DELTA(SUP 9)-OCTADECENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

9,10-OCTADECENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

Z-9-OCTADECENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

CIS-OCTADEC-9-ENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

L'ACIDE OLEIQUE (FRENCH)
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

9-OCTADECENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts :

THE FREE ACID IN VACCINES (... MANNIDE MONOOLEATE) HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH STERILE ABSCESSES.
[Rossoff, I.S. Handbook of Veterinary Drugs. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 1974. 398]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

CIS-DELTA(9)-OCTADECENOIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Clinical Laboratory Methods :

LIPIDS WERE EXTRACTED WITH CHLOROFORM-METHANOL (1:1), METHYLATED, & FATTY ACIDS WERE DETECTED BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY.
[BAUR C ET AL; BEITR GERICHTL MED 37: 319 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

CENTURY CD FATTY ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Other Chemical/Physical Properties :

REACTS WITH ALKALIES TO FORM SOAPS; OXIDIZED TO VARIOUS DERIVATIVES BY NITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE, & OTHER AGENTS
[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 1975. 1247]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Other Chemical/Physical Properties :

IODINE NUMBER: 89.9; ACID VALUE: 198.6; SOLIDIFICATION @ 4 DEG C TO CRYSTALLINE MASS
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 1079]**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

ELAIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Synonyms :

OLEINIC ACID
**PEER REVIEWED**

 

Emergency Medical Treatment :

 
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Portions of the POISINDEX(R) database are provided here for general reference. THE COMPLETE POISINDEX(R) DATABASE, AVAILABLE FROM MICROMEDEX, SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF SPECIFIC CASES. Copyright 1974-1998 Micromedex, Inc. Denver, Colorado. All Rights Reserved. Any duplication, replication or redistribution of all or part of the POISINDEX(R) database is a violation of Micromedex' copyrights and is strictly prohibited.

The following Overview, *** NON-TOXIC INGESTION ***, is relevant for this HSDB record chemical.

Life Support:
  o   This overview assumes that basic life support measures
      have been instituted.                           
Clinical Effects:
  SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
   0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
     o   A non-toxic ingestion occurs when the victim consumes a
         nonedible product which usually does not produce
         symptoms.  The importance of knowing that a product is
         nontoxic is that overtreatment is avoided and, more
         importantly, the victim and parents are not placed in
         the jeopardy of a panicky automobile ride to the
         physician or nearest hospital (Comstock, 1978).
     o   Materials referenced to this management have been
         considered very unlikely to produce any toxicity except
         in enormous doses.  For example, ballpoint pen
         cartridges, even if sucked completely dry by a child,
         do not contain enough toxic materials to cause illness
         (Mofenson et al, 1984).
     o   While almost anything, including water and table salt,
         may cause illness if taken in excessive amounts or by
         other than the normal route, normal exposures from
         these products would not be expected to produce
         toxicity (Horev & Cohen, 1994).
     o   Some agents are harmful in manners different from that
         expected.  A broken thermometer is dangerous not from
         the inert metallic mercury, but from the broken glass
         (Mofenson et al, 1984).  Most patients calling are more
         worried about mercury, which they think of as poison,
         than the glass.
     o   General guidelines for determining if an exposure can
         be categorized as non-toxic (reviewed in Weisman, 1998;
         Mofenson et al, 1984):
      1.  Absolute identification of the product, its
          ingredients, and its concentration.
      2.  Absolute assurance that only the identified product
          was involved in the exposure.
      3.  The exposure must be unintentional.
      4.  "Signal words" identified by the Consumer Product
          Safety Commission (i.e.  Caution,  Warning, Danger)
          must not be found on the label.
      5.  A reliable approximation of the quantity of the
          substance involved in the exposure.
      6.  The route of exposure can be assessed accurately from
          the patient's available history.
      7.  Following the exposure, the patient is symptom-free.
      8.  A follow-up consultation with the patient must be
          possible.  In the case of a pediatric exposure, the
          parent must appear to be reliable.
Laboratory:
  o   In most cases it will not be necessary to perform
      laboratory tests.  However, if a patient is developing
      symptoms from what should be a non-toxic product,
      appropriate evaluation and treatment should be performed.
Treatment Overview:
  ORAL EXPOSURE
    o   Even though a substance may be considered non-toxic for
        the amount ingested or packaged, it should not be
        considered as non-toxic in any amounts.  Even ingestions
        of various foodstuffs can cause adverse symptoms if
        large amounts are eaten (green apples, garlic, onion).
    o   The most important fact to remember is to treat the
        patient not the poison, especially when the diagnosis is
        unknown.
    o   Knowing that the product is listed as non-toxic helps
        avoid overtreating the patient or being over zealous in
        getting a patient to professional medical care.
    o   If there is a question of simultaneous ingestion of a
        product which may be more dangerous, the management on
        the more toxic agent should be consulted.
  INHALATION EXPOSURE
    o   Although inhalation of common dust may not be considered
        toxic, it is certainly a hazard if there is inhalation
        of too many particles.  Individuals should be removed
        from exposure to too high a concentration of even
        relatively non-toxic substances.
  EYE EXPOSURE
    o   Foreign materials in the eye may not cause a toxic
        reaction, but injury from a foreign body may occur.  In
        such cases, the patient should be observed for eye
        irritation and should seek medical assistance if the
        irritation becomes significant.
  DERMAL EXPOSURE
    o   Foreign materials spilled on the skin may not represent
        a toxic or irritation hazard in small quantities, but
        may produce adverse effects if applied in large
        quantities or if used over a significant period of time.
        Whenever possible, foreign materials should be removed
        from the skin with simple washing.  Should skin
        irritation or erythema occur, a patient may wish to seek
        medical assistance.
Range of Toxicity:
  o   These agents are considered not to be a toxic hazard in
      the quantities available through normal exposure or
      package size.                                        

[Rumack BH: POISINDEX(R) Information System. Micromedex, Inc., Englewood, CO, 2002; CCIS Volume 114, edition exp November, 2002. Hall AH & Rumack BH (Eds):TOMES(R) Information System. Micromedex, Inc., Englewood, CO, 2002; CCIS Volume 114, edition exp November, 2002.] **PEER REVIEWED**