Resorcinol toxicity

Concerns regarding resorcinol toxicity, including thyroid dysfunction... 

Instability on exposure to light and air, manufacturing variations, and resorcinol toxicity are concerns. Excessive exfoliation is another concern. 

Elsewhere, in a series of Japanese patents, mixtures of resorcinol + sodium nitrate, glycerine + sodium nitrate, lithium hydroxide + tungstate, etc., have been claimed to be effective. An example of the use of inhibited cooling mixtures of low toxicity is provided by a patent which describes a mixture of silicate-I- polyphosphate -I- a saccharide, e.g. sucrose or fructose, as the inhibitor formulation in a propylene glycol -I- potassium-hydrogen-carbonate mixture used in aluminium cooler boxes for ice-cream. 

Phloroglucinol (1,3,5-Trihydroxy benzene, 1,3,5-Trioxy-benzol in Ger). C6H3(OH)3,mw 126.11, white to yellowish crysts mp 200—209° when heated slowly 212—217° when heated rapidly bp, sublimes with decompn. SI sol in w, sol in ale and eth. Combustible. Can be prepd by fusion of resorcinol with caustic soda, or by reduction of trinitrobenzene. It is highly toxic. by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption, and is a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes Refs 1) Beil 6,1092, (545) [1075]... 

Dibydroxybenzene, Resorcinol or 1,3-Ben-zenediol (called 1.3-Dioxy-benzol or Resorcin in Ger), white orthorhombic crysts (from water, ale or acet), mp 110.7°, bp 281° d 1.2717 flash point (open cup) 339° F sol in w, ale, ether, glycerol, benzene and amyl ale si sol in chlf less toxic than the 1,2-deriv but con-tact with skin sp.d ip.hslsticn of dust should... 

The function of the target molecule may be critical or mncritical. Thus, if the target molecule is an enzyme, this could be involved in a crucial metabolic pathway, such as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In this case, an adverse interaction with the ultimate toxicant is likely to lead to cell dysfunction and possibly death (e.g., as with cyanide or salicylate). Chemicals such as methimazole and resorcinol, which are activated to free radical intermediates by thyroperoxidase, cause destruction of the enzyme. This then disturbs thyroid hormone synthesis and thyroid function with pathological consequences such as thyroid tumors. 

The toxicity of resorcinol has been reviewed (GDCh-Advisory Committee on Existing Chemicals of Environmental Relevance (BUA), 1993). 

Minor Uses. Small amounts of benzene find use in production of benzene-sulfonic acid. ///- B enz ene dis ulfonic acid is used to produce resorcinol [108-46-3], C6H602, (1,3-dihydroxybenzene). Benzene is thermally dimerized to yield biphenyl [92-52-4], C12H10. Benzene can also be converted into />-diisopropylbenzene [100-18-5], C12H18, which is oxidized to hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene), a useful antioxidant. Because of its well-recognized toxicity, litde benzene is employed for solvent purposes, and then only when no suitable substitutes are available. 

Toxicity. The estimated minimum lethal dose is 2 g and the maximum permissible atmospheric concentration is 10 ppm. The systemic effects of resorcinol are similar to those of phenol but convulsions may be more frequent. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Experimental reproductive effects. An eye irritant. A hair dye component. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl". See also CHLOROPHENOLS and RESORCINOL. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by ingesdon and intraperitoneal routes. A severe eye irritant. Incompadble with phenol, p-naphthol, resorcinol or thymol in trituradon, potassium permanganate, chromium trioxide, pyrogallol. Combusdble liquid. VCTien heated to decomposidon it emits acrid smoke and irritadng fiimes. 

Resorcinol, which was formerly used to treat leg ulcers, is nowadays mainly used in the treatment of acne vulgaris as a peeling agent. In the older literature (1), several cases of systemic toxicity from percutaneous absorption were reported and there were deaths (2). The use of resorcinol in the treatment of acne is considered safe (SEDA-9, 142). 

Antiseptic the antiseptic use of resorcinol was recommended for surgery in place of phenol, as it is less toxic and less caustic. 

On the jaw area, as with phenol, the paste is applied up to 2 cm below the upper jaw. The paste should be rubbed gently to make it more homogenous. Resorcinol paste is often applied on the decoUetage and back. Great care must be taken in these areas, however, as the extent of the surface area treated can induce toxicity. Large surface areas should be treated in several stages, and a rest period between two applications will help the body eliminate the metabolites from the detoxification of this phenol compound. 

Although it belongs to the phenol group of chemicals, resorcinol has very different exfoliating properties and it is far less toxic than phenol itself. The routes of metabolic detoxification are mainly via the Hver and kidneys. As a precaution, patients with liver or kidney deficiencies should be ruled out, as well as patients with arrhythmia and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. 

Resorcinol is toxic by ingestion of an average dose of 6 g. Serious accidents have been described after ingestion of 3.5 g, however. ft irritates the mucous membranes and the skin, and ingestion can cause methemoglobinemia, cyanosis, convulsions or even death. Cases of methemoglobinemia have been described after application on leg ulcers, but not after a peel on normal skin. 

The problem raised with the use of Jessner s solution is more the fear of salicylism than the toxicity of the resorcinol itself. Cases of salicylism have been described after application of Jessner s solution together to the face, chest, arms and legs. ... 

M-dihydroxybenzene or resorcinol forms white crystals, which become pink on exposure to light. It has a m.p. of 110°C and a b.p. of 276.5°C. Being a skin irritant, when absorbed through skin may cause toxic effects. It is chemically very reactive due to the reinforcing influence of the two hydroxyl groups— this explains many reactions such as easy ammination with aqueous ammonia at 200° C to m-amino phenol and with ammoniacal ammonium sulfite solution to m-phenylenediamine... 

Phenoplasts always contain a phenol, a formaldehyde, and an alkaline base. All three components are health hazards and potential environmental pollutants. Resorcinol is a phenol, and although not as hazardous as some phenols, it is still toxic and caustic. Formaldehyde is considered a dangerous material and at low atmospheric concentrations can lead to chronic respiratory ailments. Sodium hydroxide is, of course, well known as a caustic material. 

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