1-Octanol

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical (USCG, 1999)

Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give one or two glasses of water to drink.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

To fight fire use water foam, fog, alcohol foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Storage class (TRGS 510): Combustible liquids

Separated from strong oxidants.

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Remove all sources of ignition. Beware of vapors accumulating to form explosive concentrations. Vapors can accumulate in low areas.; Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.; Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wet-brushing and place in container for disposal according to local regulations. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Collect leaking liquid in covered containers. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.

AEROBIC: A number of aerobic biological screening studies, which utilized settled waste water, sewage, or activated sludge for inocula, have demonstrated that 1-octanol is readily biodegradable(1-8). Five day BOD tests show BODTs of 33(1), 37(2) and 62.4%(3). A ring test involving 14 laboratories found a mean degradation of 85% in 28 day test(4). A study which measured theoretical carbon dioxide evolved revealed 71% ultimate degradation of 1-octanol after an inoculation with activated sludge, in the dark, at 20 degrees C for 7 days(5). Other screening test data yielded a half-life of 22 hours(SRC) based on a first order biodegradation rate of 0.0313/hr(6) for 1-octanol.

ANAEROBIC: 1-Octanol was completely removed and lost 75% of the starting material during 49(1) and 56(2) day anaerobic acclimated studies.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for octanol: Concentration process; Biological treatment.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for octanol: Concentration process: Activated carbon.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for octanol: Concentration process: Resin adsorption.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in covered containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.

Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapor or mist. Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking. Take measures to prevent the build up of electrostatic charge.

... Whether 1-octanol (OCT) could inhibit Ethanol (ETOH) toxicity in cultured whole mouse embryos /was studied/. Embryos (3 to 5 somites) were cultured for 6 hours in the absence and presence of alcohols and transferred to control medium for an additional 20 hours. Somite pairs were counted after a total of 26 hours in culture ... Treatment with 3 uM OCT did not produce a delay in embryonic development, whereas 10 uM and 50 uM OCT caused increasing toxicity. Embryos cultured for 6 hours with 100 mM ETOH showed markedly delayed in vitro development (13.8 + or - 0.7 somite pairs after 26 hours, n = 15) as compared with control embryos (19.6 + or - 0.6 somite pairs, n = 5). The toxicity of 100 mM ETOH was significantly reduced by co-incubation with 3 uM OCT (16.9 + or - 0.6 somite pairs; n = 23, p less than 0.002). All of the control embryos and 60.9% of the ethanol/octanol-treated embryos had greater than or equal to 17 somite pairs; in contrast, only 13.4% of the embryos treated with ethanol alone had greater than or equal to 17 somite pairs. Conversely, while 33.3% of the embryos treated with ethanol alone had less than or equal to 12 somite pairs, none of the control embryos and only 4.3% of the embryos treated with ethanol plus octanol were this small.

LC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: flow-through bioassay with measured concentrations, 25.0 °C, dissolved oxygen 5.9 mg/L, hardness 47.6 mg/L calcium carbonate, alkalinity 45.8 mg/L calcium carbonate, and pH 7.64; Concentration: 13.5 mg/L for 96 hr (confidence limit 13.2-13.8 mg/L)

EC50; Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow); Conditions: flow-through bioassay with measured concentrations, 25.0 °C, dissolved oxygen 5.9 mg/L, hardness 47.6 mg/L calcium carbonate, alkalinity 45.8 mg/L calcium carbonate, and pH 7.64; Concentration: 13.5 mg/L for 96 hr (confidence limit 13.2-13.8 mg/L); Effect: loss of equilibrium

LC50; Species: Nitocra spinipes (Harpacticoid copepod); Conditions: static; Concentration: 60 mg/L for 96 hr /formulated product/

LC50; Species: Alburnus alburnus (Bleak); Conditions: static; Concentration: 16 mg/L for 96 hr /formulated product/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for 1-OCTANOL (11 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a reported Koc value of 38(2), indicates that 1-octanol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of 1-octanol from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 2.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(3). 1-Octanol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.0794 mm Hg at 25 °C(4). A 89% of theoretical BOD using activated sludge in the Japanese MITI test(5) suggests that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a reported Koc value of 38(2), indicates that 1-octanol is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 2.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 43 hours and 17 days, respectively(SRC). 1-Octanol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 44(SRC), from its log Kow of 3.00(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate(SRC). Based on aqueous biodegradation screening test results, 1-octanol should biodegrade rapidly in aquatic environments(8-10).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), 1-octanol, which has a vapor pressure of 0.0794 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 1-octanol is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 27 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.44X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Physical removal from air via precipitation has been shown to occur(4). 1-Octanol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(5) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

1-Octanol was identified as a volatile component of fried bacon(1), roasted filberts(2), raw and roasted earth almonds (Cyperus esculentus L.)(3), mutton(4), chicken(4), pork(4), raw beef(4,5), frankfurters(6), nectarines(7), apple juice(8), common guava(9), Beaufort (Gruyere) cheese(10) and in food products processed from the Cassava root(11). 1-Octanol has been detected in beer, wine and spirits(12).

Fermented soybean (Glycine max) curds were found to contain 164.8 to 337.1 ug/kg of 1-octanol(1). 1-Octanol was isolated as a volatile component of duck meat (8.88 ppb), duck fat (12.69 ppb), Cantonese style roasted duck (32.01 ppb) and Cantonese style roasted duck gravy (32.85 ppb)(2). 1-Octanol was also identified as a volatile component of edible Korean chamchwi (Aster scaber Thunb)(3), kiwi fruit flowers(4) and in heated peanut oil(5). The concentration of 1-octanol increased in roasted almonds (Prunus dulcis) during 16-20 weeks of storage at 25 or 35 °C(6). 1-Octanol made up 0.49-10.86% of the fruit volatiles from blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius) that were collected from Italy and Spain(7).

1-Octanol has been reported in over 200 foods and beverages including apple, apricot, banana, citrus peel oils and juices, many berries, guava, grapes, melon, papaya, peach, pear, asparagus, kohlrabi, leek, peas, tomato, potato, clove, ginger, mustard, spearmint oil, wheat bread, many cheeses, cooked egg, butter, milk, fish, meats, beer, rum, whiskies, cognac, cider, sherry, grape wines, cocoa, tea, nuts, honey, soybean, coconut, passion fruit, olive, avocado, plum, rose apple, beans, mushroom, starfruit, Bantu beer, sesame seed, cauliflower, broccoli, tamarind, fruit brandies, fig, cardamom, coriander seed and leaf, rice, quince, litchi, dill, lovage, sweet corn, corn oil, malt, kiwi fruit, loquat, Bourbon vanilla, scary sage, oysters, crayfish, clam and Chinese quince(1).

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: 1-Octanol is a colorless liquid used in the determination of partition coefficients, perfumery, cosmetics, organic synthesis, solvent manufacture of high-boiling esters, antifoaming agent, and as a flavoring agent. 1-octanol is registered for pesticide use in the USA but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses. It has been used as experimental medication to treat tremor in patients. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: In a human patch test, 1-octanol in 2% petrolatum was neither a skin irritant nor a skin sensitizer. Octanol has caused transient injury of corneal epithelium, with recovery in 48 hr. Common signs of exposure to 1-octanol are CNS: headache, muscle weakness, giddiness, ataxia, confusion, delirium, coma. Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (odor of the alcohol in excreta). Irritation of skin, eyes, throat from vapor or liquid with cough and dyspnea. The annoying odor of 1-octanol may mask sensory irritation and prevent subjects with enhanced chemical sensitivity from concentrating on performance in a demanding task. ANIMAL STUDIES: 1-Octanol was slightly irritating to the skin of rabbits and is considered an eye irritant using the EU criteria. n-Octanol (0.55 g/kg) produced the largest decrease in body temperature. No evidence of tumors in the lung adenoma study in which mice were injected intraperitoneally with 100 and 500 mg/kg 1-octanol three times a week for 8 weeks. Studies indicate that T-type calcium channels (T-channels) in the thalamus are cellular targets for general anesthetics. The study recorded T-currents and underlying low-threshold calcium spikes from neurons of nucleus reticularis thalami (nRT) in brain slices from young rats and investigated the mechanisms of their modulation by an anesthetic alcohol, 1-octanol. 1-Octanol inhibited native T-currents at subanesthetic concentrations with an IC(50) of approximately 4 uM. Inhibition of both native and recombinant T-currents was accompanied by a hyperpolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation, indicating that 1-octanol stabilized inactive states of the channel. In developmental studies in rats no treatment-related effects were observed in pregnant females, including frequency of resorptions, fetal weights, or skeletal/visceral malformations. 1-Octanol was negative in an Ames Salmonella assay with strains Ta 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and TA 1538 at concentrations ranging from 4 to 2500 ug/plate with and without metabolic activation.

The existing information was reviewed by the independent Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety and supports the use of 1-octanol as described in this safety assessment. Data from 1-octanol and read-across analog heptyl alcohol (CAS # 111-70-6) show that 1-octanol is not expected to be genotoxic. Data on read-across analog heptyl alcohol (CAS # 111-70-6) provide a calculated Margin of Exposure (MOE) greater than 100 for the repeated dose toxicity and fertility endpoints. Data on 1-octanol provide a calculated MOE greater than 100 for the developmental toxicity endpoint. Data from read-across analog 1-decanol (CAS # 112-30-1) provided a No Expected Sensitization Induction Level (NESIL) of 10000 μg/cm2 for the skin sensitization endpoint. 1-octanol is not expected to be photoirritating/photoallergenic based on an evaluation of the ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectra. The local respiratory toxicity endpoint was evaluated using the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) for a Cramer Class I material, and the exposure is below the TTC (1.4 mg/day).

1-Octanol was identified as a volatile component of earth almonds (Cyperus esculentus L.)(1), nectarines(2), litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn)(3), Meeker raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)(4) and kiwi fruit flowers(5). 1-Octanol comprised 13.62% of essential oil from Heracleum sibiricum L. (Apiaceae)(6). 1-Octanol emission rates from green leaf composite samples and dead leaves were 48 ug/g and 16 ug/g, respectively(7).

1-Octanol detections in plants(1).[Table#1991]

Cough. Sore throat.

Dry skin.

Redness. Pain.

Burning sensation.

1-Octanol is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in accordance with the following conditions: a) they are used in the minimum quantity required to produce their intended effect, and otherwise in accordance with all the principles of good manufacturing practice, and b) they consist of one or more of the following, used alone or in combination with flavoring substances and adjuvants generally recognized as safe in food, prior-sanctioned for such use, or regulated by an appropriate section in this part.

Octyl alcohol is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.

Section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA calls for the Agency to determine, after submission of relevant data concerning an active ingredient, whether or not products containing the active ingredient are eligible for reregistration. The Agency has previously identified and required the submission of the generic (i.e., active ingredient-specific) data required to support reregistration of products containing aliphatic alcohols as an active ingredient. The Agency has completed its review of these generic data, and has determined that the data are sufficient to support reregistration of all products containing aliphatic alcohols (C6 - C16). The Agency has completed its assessment of the human health and ecological risks associated with the use of pesticide products containing aliphatic alcohols (C6 - C16). The Agency has determined that aliphatic alcohol-containing products are eligible for reregistration provided that label amendments are made as outlined in Chapter V. ... The Agency has identified eye-irritation concerns that warrant specific label language concerning personal protective equipment (PPE) and the length of restricted-entry intervals after application for tobacco uses of the aliphatic alcohols (C6 - C16). If all changes outlined in this document are incorporated into the product labels, the eye-irritation concerns will have been mitigated. Should a registrant fail to implement any of the reregistration requirements identified in this document, the Agency may take regulatory action to address these concerns.

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 continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer safety standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA '88 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List C, and with List C containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List D. Octanol is found on List D. Case No: 4004; Pesticide type: insecticide, herbicide; Case Status: OPP is reviewing data from the pesticide's producers regarding its human health and/or environmental effects, or OPP is determining the pesticide's eligibility for reregistration and developing the RED document.; Active ingredient (AI): octanol; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered products. Thus, we characterize it as "cancelled."

Residues of n-octyl alcohol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. Use: solvent or cosolvent.

Used in perfumery, cosmetics, shampoos, emulsifiers, detergents, and food flavors; Also used as a solvent (esters, coatings, lacquers, printing inks, textile additives, and pesticides), citric acid extractant, frothing agent, antifoaming agent in drilling muds, and growth inhibitor in tobacco production; [HSDB]

For 1-octanol (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 079037) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the USA but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

... plant growth regulator ... of tobacco.

Perfumery, cosmetics, organic synthesis, solvent manufacture of high-boiling esters, antifoaming agent, flavoring agent.

Mixtures of 1-hexanol and 1-octanol serve as frothing agents (bubbling promoters) in flotation, e.g., of coal. Large amounts are added to aqueous drilling muds to prevent frothing during drilling for oil and gas.

For more Uses (Complete) data for 1-OCTANOL (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2023: 50,000,000 - <100,000,000 lb

(1984) 1.28X10+11 G /ALCOHOLS C11 OR LOWER/

(1986) >10 million-50 million pounds

(1990) >10 million-50 million pounds

(1994) >10 million-50 million pounds

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for 1-OCTANOL (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Prepared from the esterified products of coconut oil, the methyl caprylate being reduced by sodium and alcohol.

By reduction of some caprylic esters such as methyl caprylate with sodium ethoxide.

1-Octanol is manufactured by the Alfol process and from natural products.

1-Octanol is made commercially by sodium reduction or high-pressure catalytic hydrogenation of the esters of naturally occurring caprylic acid or by oligomerization of ethylene using aluminum alkyl technology.

... Manufactured by the hydrodimerization of 1,3-butadiene, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting dienol, and distillation to produce n-octyl alcohol with a minimum purity of 99 percent.

Grades: Technical; chemically pure; pure; perfume, Food Chemical Codex.

Royaltac-M (Macdermid Agricultural Solutions, Inc.): Active ingredient: lauryl alcohol 0.3%; 1-octanol 36.2%; 1-decanol 48.2%.

Off-Shoot-T (Macdermid Agricultural Solutions, Inc.): Active ingredient: lauryl alcohol 0.3%; 1-octanol 36.2%; 1-decanol 48.2%.

C8-C10 Fatty Alcohol Technical (Macdermid Agricultural Solutions, Inc.): Active ingredient: lauryl alcohol 0.3%; 1-octanol 42.6%; 1-decanol 56.7%.

For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for 1-OCTANOL (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Fragrance Ingredients

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Flavoring Agents -> JECFA Flavorings Index

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Cosmetics -> Viscosity controlling

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

1-Octanol: ACTIVE

The single product listed under PC code 079037, although listed as 1-octanol, is also in fact a mixture of 1-octanol and 1-decanol. The earliest registered label for use of aliphatic alcohols for tobacco sucker control included in the Agency's Pesticide Product Label System (PPLS) was issued to Uniroyal in 1964.

In industrial practice, the term octyl alcohol has been used for both 1-octanol and 2-ethylhexanol. The latter is also sometimes called isooctanol. The term capryl alcohol has been used for both 1-octanol and 2-octanol.