Cosmetics and Shampoo Ingredients and Wood Preservative Toxicity Study Reports to be Reviewed by NTP Committee

The draft technical reports of two-year animal studies of ten chemicals used in cosmetics, shampoos, wood preservative products, termite fungicides and other applications will be peer reviewed by the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselor's Review Subcommittee December 9 beginning at 1:30 p.m., and December 10, at 8:30 a.m., at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Building 101 Conference Center, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, N.C. The sessions are open to the media and the public.

After the review, the drafts will be revised and published as Technical Reports of the NTP. The reports give levels of evidence for carcinogenicity -- clear evidence, some evidence, no evidence, equivocal or inadequate study, along with evidence of other types of toxicity, if any.

One of the chemicals, Diethanolamine is used as a emulsifier in cosmetics and other products, and in textile production and for other industrial uses. Diethanolamine will be first on the agenda for review. Studies will also be reviewed on related chemicals used in shampoos and other products: Coconut Oil Acid Diethanolamine Condensate; Lauric Acid Diethanolamine Condensate; and Oleic Acid Diethanolamine Condensate. The reviews of these studies will immediately follow that of Diethanolamine.

Another study to be reviewed is of Pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative, fungicide, soil fumigant for termites, also used as an antibacterial agent in disinfectants and cleansers and for other industrial purposes.

Other studies to be reviewed are on Isobutene, used in rubber and plastics manufacturing; Isoprene, an industrial chemical; Furfuryl Alcohol, a flavoring agent and solvent; Pyridine, a flavoring agent and solvent; and 1-Chloro-2-Propanol, a chemical manufacturing intermediate.

Drafts of the reports will be available the morning of the sessions. Media representatives planning to attend should contact Tom Hawkins at (919) 541-1402; others should contact Dr. Larry Hart, NTP Executive Secretary, (919) 541-3971. Public comment must be scheduled in advance and is limited to 5 minutes.