Tetracosane, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-
CASRN#
111-01-3
INCI Name
SQUALANE
Alternate Names
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane; Hexamethyl tetracosane; Tetracosane,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-; Squalane (Polyquaternium-39); Cosbiol; Perhydrosqualene; Dodecahydrosqualene
Common Trade Names
Evoil; Neossance; Robane; Spinacane, Vitabiosol
Molecular Weight
423 g/mol
Functional Uses
lubricant, lubricant additive, processing
Common Impurities
-
Is this a VOC?
No
Is this an exempt VOC?
No
Vapor Pressure
3.6E-10 mm Hg
Octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow)
5.49
Solubility
-
Boiling Point
350 °C
Particle size range as aerodynamic diameter
- - - μm
Hazard Summary
C2C Chemical Rating
grey/c
GHS Health
None
GHS Enviro
None
Assessed by
U.S. EPA Low Priority Chemical report.
Assessment Date
Jul 10, 2020
Assessment Expires
Jul 9, 2025
Verification Status
verified
Executive Summary
Squalene is a saturated hydrocarbon oil that is formed by the hydrogenation of squalene. Its structure is composed of a 24-carbon chain substituted with six methyl groups in the 2, 6, 10, 15, 19, and 23 positions. Squalane can be found in small quantities in sebum, a natural substance that acts as an antioxidant and protects the skin from bacteria while keeping it hydrated. Squalene is most commonly found in nature as a lipid in both plants and animals, most notably in shark livers, olive oil, rice, and sugar cane. NOTE: The data provided in this assessment came primarily from the US EPA final designation report, Supporting Information for Low-Priority Substance Tetracosane, 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl- (Squalene) (https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0125-0009). According to US EPA, “low-priority substance designations give the public notice of chemical substances for which the hazard and/or exposure potential is anticipated to be low or nonexistent and provides some insight into which chemical substances are likely not to need additional evaluation and risk management under TSCA.”
Hazard Tables

How to read the GHS Hazard Summary Table

 
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental Toxicity
Acute Toxicity
STOT-Single
STOT-Repeated
STOT- Neurotoxicity-Single
STOT- Neurotoxicity-Repeated
Skin Sensitizer
Respiratory Sensitizer
Skin Corrosion/Irritation
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
Acute Aquatic Toxicity
Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Ozone Depletion
Oral
Dermal
Inhalation
NC
Rationale
Available data is insufficient for GHS classification: squalane’s limited absorption, transformation profile, a lack of structural alerts, and experimental genotoxicity results provide sufficient information to indicate this chemical is unlikely to be carcinogenic.
NC
Rationale
Available data is insufficient for GHS classification: squalane’s limited absorption, transformation profile, a lack of structural alerts, and experimental genotoxicity results provide sufficient information to indicate this chemical is unlikely to be carcinogenic.
NC
Rationale
Available data is insufficient for GHS classification: squalane’s limited absorption, transformation profile, a lack of structural alerts, and experimental genotoxicity results provide sufficient information to indicate this chemical is unlikely to be carcinogenic.
NC
Rationale
Negative results in a range of species provide sufficient information to indicate low concern for squalane to cause genotoxicity.
NC
Rationale
Lower confidence due to combined repeated dose toxicity study with reproduction toxicity screening. No reproductive effects on mating, fertility, and estrus cycle provide sufficient evidence to indicate low concern for reproductive toxicity.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
NC
Rationale
Lower confidence due to combined repeated dose toxicity study with developmental toxicity screening. No rdevelopmental effects on pup examination, and pup weight gain provide sufficient evidence to indicate low concern for developmental toxicity.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
NC
Rationale
Several studies provide sufficient information to indicate low concern for acute toxicity from oral exposure.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
NC
Rationale
A combined repeated dose, reproductive, and developmental study provides sufficient information to indicate low concern for toxicity resulting from repeated oral exposures.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
NC
Rationale
Relevant endpoints measured in a repeat dose toxicity study provide sufficient information to indicate squalane is of low concern of neurotoxicity. Lower confidence due to no traditional neurotoxicity studies available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
CNP
Rationale
Data not available.
NC
Rationale
These studies in humans provide sufficient information to indicate low concern for skin sensitization.
NC
Rationale
No structural alerts identified provides sufficient information to indicate low concern for respiratory sensitization. Lower confidence because a lack of structural alerts is insufficient for establishing a GHS classification
NC
Rationale
Studies in humans and rabbits provide sufficient information to indicate low concern for squalane to cause skin irritation.
CNP
Rationale
Given the endogenous nature of this chemical and overall low hazard profile, including negative results for skin sensitization and skin irritation, EPA has sufficient information to anticipate low concern for eye irritation
NC
Rationale
An LC50 exceeding the maximum water solubility for squalene provides sufficient information to indicate squalane is low concern for acute exposures to invertebrates in the aquatic environment.
NC
Rationale
Acute-to-chronic ratio extrapolation and weight of evidence approach provide sufficient information to indicate squalane is low concern for chronic exposures invertebrates in the aquatic environment.
NC
Rationale
Chemical is not on Montreal Protocol or IPCC List.
Other
  • Explosives: Not classified
  • Flammable Gases: Not classified
  • Aerosols: Not classified
  • Oxidizing Gases: Not classified
  • Flammable Liquids: Not classified
  • Flammable Solids: Not classified
  • Self-reactive substances and mixtures: Not classified
  • Pyrophoric Liquids: Not classified
  • Pyrophoric Solids: Not classified
  • Self-heating Substances and Mixtures: Not classified
  • Substances and Mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases: Not classified
  • Oxidizing Liquids: Not classified
  • Oxidizing Solids: Not classified
  • Organic Peroxides: Not classified
  • Corrosive to Metals: Not classified
  • Desensitized Explosives: Not classified

How to read the C2CC Hazard Summary Table

Human Health
Environmental
Other
 
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenicity
Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity
Endocrine Activity / Disruption
Oral Toxicity
Dermal Toxicity
Inhalation Toxicity
Neurotoxicity
Skin, Eye, and Respiratory Corrosion/Irritation
Sensitization of Skin and Airways
Fish Toxicity
Daphnia Toxicity
Algae Toxicity
Terrestrial Toxicity
Persistence
Bioaccumulation
Climatic Relevance
Other (Human Health)
Organohalogens
Toxic Metals
Other (Environmental Health)
Oral
Dermal
Inhalation
-
-
-
G
G
-
-
-
Rationale
Data not available.
G
-
-
G
-
-
G
G
G
G
-
-
G
Rationale
Multiple biodegradation studies provide sufficient information to indicate low concern for persistence.
G
Rationale
Based on the reasonably available information and weight of scientific evidence including the endogenous nature of squalene, excretion in mammals, and low experimental biomagnification factor in fish, sufficient information is available to indicate a low potential concern for bioaccumulation of squalene.
G
G
Rationale
No additional data available.
G
G
G
Rationale
No additional data available.