Camphor
- CAS
- 464-49-3
- PubChem CID
- 2537
- Molecular Formula
- C10H16O
- Molecular Weight
- 152.2300 g/mol
Refreshing and fragraning. High amounts may cause skin irritation; toxic if ingested.
What does it do?
Provides a cooling sensation on the skin and is used as a fragrance.
Details
A sharp-smelling compound obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or produced synthetically. It creates a refreshing and slightly numbing sensation on the skin; frequently used in muscle pain creams and cold remedies. High concentrations may cause burning, redness, and irritation on the skin. It is neurotoxic when ingested and can lead to serious poisoning, especially in children. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 3 years of age should avoid products containing camphor.
Hazards
Functions
Restrictions
Where is it found?
Function & Use
Masking
Plasticiser
Denaturant
Regulatory note
- EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted
Industry GHS notices (PubChem)
These are industry self-reports to ECHA, not our regulatory assessment.
- H228(97.6%)- Flammable solid
- H302(19.7%)- Harmful if swallowed
- H312(10.3%)- Harmful in contact with skin
- H315(35.1%)- Causes skin irritation
- H317- May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H318(21.8%)- Causes serious eye damage
- H319(13.3%)- Causes serious eye irritation
- H320- Causes eye irritation
- H330(15.2%)- Fatal if inhaled
- H332(93.6%)- Harmful if inhaled
- H335(13.1%)- May cause respiratory irritation
- H360- May damage fertility or the unborn child
- H370- Causes damage to organs
- H371(77.6%)- May cause damage to organs
- H373(19.6%)- May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
- H401- Toxic to aquatic life
- H411(21.4%)- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
What The Sources Say
Europe PMC (scientific literature)1
Cited by 30.
ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)3
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 6.4A (Category 2A). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Category 6.3A (Category 2). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
+1 more records.
Scientific References
- Camphor in flavourings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the Commission.EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority
- EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DSSTox identifiers mapped to CAS (2021r1)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
- EU CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredient Database full exportEuropean Commission, DG GROW
- OpenFDA Cosmetic Adverse Events (api.fda.gov/cosmetic/event)US FDA — unvalidated adverse event reports
- ToxValDB — genotoxicityUS EPA — ToxValDB v97
- ToxValDB — skin/eyeUS EPA — ToxValDB v97