Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LAUREL LEAF OIL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Volatile oil from leaves of Laurus nobilis Linnaeus. Not to be confused with West Indian
Bay oil (Pimenta racemosa). There has been concern about radioactive material
(contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl incident) finding its way to the market. After
extensive test the level of radioactivity was well below acceptable levels when the leaves
where steam distilled. Certain users insist on a certificate of testing seeking such
prrof. Used in perfumery. In moderation for colds, dyspepsia, flatulence, ' flu, loss of
appetite, scanty periods, tonsillitis, viral infections.

SYNONYMS

"bay laurel oil", "laurus nobilis oil", "Grecian laurel", "Mediterranean Bay oil", "Noble
Laurel", "Roman Laurel", "sweet bay oil", "true bay oil", "oil of sweet bay", "oils,
laurel", "laurel extract", "resins, oleo, bay sweet", "sweet bay oleoresins",
"essential oil"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Flammable.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Repeated exposures to, or a single acute overexposure to eucalyptol (cineole)-containing oils, may produce nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.  Ingestion may produce epigastric burning, vertigo, ataxia, muscle weakness, stupor, pallor, occasional cyanosis, respiratory stridor (oedema), miosis and delirium. Symptoms may be delayed for up to 2 hours.  Eucalyptol is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract. Transient coma followed ingestion of 1 ml. of eucalyptus oil (which contains 70% eucalyptol) and fatalities have resulted from the consumption of 3.5 ml. Recovery has occurred after a dose of 30 ml.  Seizures are common and rapid in onset, similar to camphor. Symptoms might include headache, ataxia, delirium, obtundation, coma, convulsions, hypotension, hyperpnoea and gastrointestinal distress.  Essential oils cause mild irritation of the mouth if taken orally, causing more saliva to be produced and a warm feeling. Large amounts affect the digestive system causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes urination may be affected, causing difficulty or pain in urinating, reduced urine output, blood in the urine, unconsciousness and shallow breathing. Lung swelling and inflammation are possible complications. Stupor, excitement and respiratory failure may result, as well as convulsions; the central nervous system may either be depressed or stimulated. The kidneys may be damaged, and swelling and severe clogging can occur in the lungs, skin and kidneys. Essential oils increase the rate of miscarriage, but in low doses do not usually cause an abortion.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Essential oils irritate the skin and redden it, causing at first warmth and smarting, followed by some local loss of sensation. They have been used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and to relieve neuralgia and rheumatic pain. Care should be taken to avoid blistering; these oils may also produce sensitization.  Certain substances, commonly found in perfumes or perfumed products, produce hypersensitivity. Sensitising constituents have been classified as Class A (common sensitisers) or Class B (rare sensitisers) in a Japanese study (Nakayama 1998). Contact allergy to perfumes occurs with a relatively high incidence, such incidence only surpassed by nickel allergy in the community. In a Danish study, it was found that about 1.1% of the population was allergic to Peru balsam or "fragrance mix".  There is no cure for perfume allergy. Once sensitised, exposure to even minute amounts of the perfume, gives rise to eruptions and eczema. These symptoms may be treated with steroid creams, although frequent recourse to this treatment produces unwanted side-  effects.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of essential oil volatiles may cause dizziness, rapid, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, respiratory irritation, loss of consciousness or convulsions. Urination may stop, and there may be swelling and inflammation of the lungs.  Intolerance to perfumes, by inhalation, may occur if the perfume contains a sensitising principal. Symptoms may vary from general illness, coughing, phlegm, wheezing, chest-  tightness, headache, exertional dyspnoea, acute respiratory illness, hayfever, and other respiratory diseases (including asthma). Perfumes can induce hyper-reactivity of the respiratory tract without producing an IgE-mediated allergy or demonstrable respiratory obstruction. This was shown by placebo-controlled challenges of nine patients to "perfume mix". The same patients were also subject to perfume provocation, with or without a carbon filter mask, to ascertain whether breathing through a filter with active carbon would prevent symptoms. The patients breathed through the mouth, during the provocations, as a nose clamp was used to prevent nasal inhalation. The patient's earlier symptoms were verified; breathing through the carbon filter had no protective effect. The symptoms were not transmitted via the olfactory nerve but they may have been induced by trigeminal reflex via the respiratory tract or by the eyes.  Cases of occupational asthma induced by perfume substances such as isoamyl acetate, limonene, cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde, tend to give persistent symptoms even though the exposure is below occupational exposure limits.  Inhalation intolerance has also been produced in animals. The emissions of five fragrance products, for one hour, produced various combinations of sensory irritation, pulmonary irritation, decreases in expiratory airflow velocity as well as alterations of the functional observational battery indicative of neurotoxicity in mice. Neurotoxicity was found to be more severe after mice were repeatedly exposed to the fragrance products, being four brands of cologne and one brand of toilet water.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact and by inhalation of vapors especially at higher temperatures.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.