Kokosnussöl

MAK-Begründung

  Andrea Hartwig¹ (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  MAK Commission<sup>2

1</sup> Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
² Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has evaluated coconut oil [8001‐31‐8] to derive a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), considering all toxicological endpoints. Available publications are described in detail. There are no inhalation studies with coconut oil available. Since coconut oil is a viscous liquid that is also used in metalworking fluids, exposure to a coconut oil aerosol is possible at these workplaces. As with white mineral oil, inhalation of the hardly water‐soluble coconut oil could result in overload in the lung, inflammatory reactions and microgranulomas. To prevent this overload, a MAK value of 5 mg/m³ is derived for the respirable fraction by analogy with white mineral oil and Peak Limitation Category II as well as an excursion factor of 4 are set. There are no developmental toxicity studies with coconut oil. The inhalative uptake by exposure at the MAK value is far lower than the recommended consumption of total fat for women. The degradation products, the saturated fatty acids capric, lauric, myristic and palmitic acid, as well as the unsaturated oleic and linoleic acid, are not expected to be teratogenic. Secondary effects on the foetus by hypoxia, which can be induced by the overload effect in the lung, could be excluded at the level of the MAK value by the data on other lubricant oils. Therefore, damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely when the MAK value is not exceeded and coconut oil is classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. Coconut oil is not genotoxic in bacteria. From limited carcinogenicity studies, a carcinogenic potential of coconut oil is not expected. There are no indications of a contact sensitizing potential of coconut oil. Skin contact is not expected to contribute significantly to systemic toxicity.

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