Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate

Abstract

Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate is the lactic acid salt of isostearamidopropyl morpholine used as an antistatic agent in 20 cosmetic formulations, mostly hair preparations. The concentration of use in hair preparations is in the 1-5% range- Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate was nontoxic in acute oral toxicity studies in rats. Although Morpholine is considered a cutaneous, ocular, and mucous membrane irritant, and a sensitizer, Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate exhibits none of the sensitization and irritant reactions observed with Morpholine. Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate was minimally irritating to rabbit eyes, and mildly irritating to intact and abraded rabbit skin. Although sensitization was not seen in clinical tests, some irritancy was noted. Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate was not mutagenic in the Ames test, with or without metabolic activation, although cell killing was seen at most test concentrations. Although Morpholine is readily nitrosated to form carcinogenic nitrosamines, N-nitroso impurities were not detected in Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate. Mutagenicity data on Isostearamidopropyl Morpholine Lactate in a mammalian system were not available, nor were data available on skin penetration or toxicity associated with inhalation exposures. Accordingly, the safety of this ingredient in leave-on cosmetic formulations could not be determined. Based on the available data, this ingredient was considered safe for use in rinse-off cosmetic products. Additional data needed for assessing the safety of leave-on uses include: (i) 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; (ii) one genotoxicity study in a mammalian system; if positive, then a 2-year dermal carcinogenesis study using National Toxicology Program (NTP) methods may be needed; and (iii) inhalation toxicity data.