Quinoline
CAS number 91-22-5
Description
Quinoline is a colourless liquid with a peculiar odour. Slightly denser than water. Contact may irritate to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Uses
Quinoline is used mainly as an intermediate in the manufacture of other products. It can be used in baby care products; oral care products; depilatory waxes; shaving products; make up products including lipsticks, powders and eye makeup; hair care products; and nail vanishes and polishes. Quinoline has been used as a flavouring agent in foods, and is found in some types of malt beverages such as Scotch whisky.
Potential exposure to quinoline may occur from the inhalation of cigarette smoke. Quinoline is more common in urban air (including indoor air), soil, and water near known contaminated sites than other areas.
Skin treatments or personal care products used to treat dry, itchy, and flaky skin can contain coal tar and be a source of exposure to quinoline for some people.
Individuals may be exposed by consumption of contaminated water.
Why it can be problematic for human and animal health
Exposure to quinoline can be by inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact.
Quinoline is shown in scientific literature as being associated with the following chronic health impacts:
- Probable carcinogen; Exposure to quinoline can potentially increase a person’s risk of certain types of cancer, including cancer in the liver, blood vessels, and the nasal cavity according to laboratory studies in animals
- Information on the chronic, reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of quinoline in humans is not available.
Acute exposure of humans to quinoline by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact is associated with respiratory distress, eye issues, disorientation, headache, confusion and burning, ulceration, sore throat.
Please note any adverse health effects that you may encounter in exposure to a chemical depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
For more detailed information, including on exposure levels in different contexts
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/risk/docs/guidance/gw/quinolineinfo.pdf