Lemongrass skin irritant

Citnil is i purr isolated compound is a very powerful irritant, however, when present in the whole oil of lemon (where it makes up about 5%), its possible hazards appear to be reduced by the presence of the other 95% of constituents, most of which are terpenes. It is important to remember that citral rich oils like lemongrass may act as skin irritants and sensitisers in some people. 

Formula (CH3)2C CHCH2CH2COCH3 Properties Colorless to si. yel. liq. citrus-lemongrass odor misc. with alcohol, ether, chloroform, oxygenated soivs. insol. in water m.w. 126.22 dens. 0.846-0.851 m.p. -67 C b.p. 173-174 C flash pt. 55 C ref. index 1.438-1.442 Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 3500 mg/kg mod. toxic by ingestion skin irritant TSCA listed Precaution Combustible... 

No phototoxic effects of undiluted West Indian lemon-grass essential oil were observed in pigs or hairless mice (Opdyke 1979). Applied full strength to abraded rabbit skin. West Indian lemongrass essential oil was moderately irritating (Opdyke 1979). 

East Indian lemongrass oil has been reported to exhibit antifungal properties. Available data from one source indicate it to be mildly to moderately irritating to the skin of laboratory animals but nonirritating and nonsensitizing to human skin. Its phototoxicity on human skin is not known. ... 

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