Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cetethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate

Abstract

Cetethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate is a quaternary salt used as an antistatic agent and as a surfactant in several hair care products. The concentration at which this ingredient is used is unknown, although data reported in 1984 indicated a maximum concentration of 1%. In an inhalation toxicity study, the approximate lethal concentration of Cetethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate was 0.403 mg/mm3. This ingredient was shown to be a severe ocular irritant in an animal study. No other safety test data on this ingredient were available. These data were clearly insufficient to support the safety of Cetethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate in cosmetics. Data available on Morpholine were summarized, but these data themselves were insufficient to support safety. The data needed in order to complete the safety assessment of Cetethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate include: methods of manufacture and impurities, especially nitrosamines; current concentration of use; skin penetration; if there is significant skin penetration, then both a 28-day dermal toxicity study to assess general skin and systemic toxicity and a reproductive and developmental toxicity study are needed; two genotoxicity studies, at least one in a mammalian system, if positive, then a 2-year dermal carcinogenisis study using National Toxicology Program (NTP) methods may be needed; ultraviolet (UV) absorption data, if significantly absorbed, then photosensitization data are needed; dermal irritation and sensitization; and ocular toxicity, if available.