Toxicity studies of cedarwood oil (Virginia) administered dermally to F344/N rats and B6C3F1/N mice.

Virginia cedarwood oil (hereafter referred to as cedarwood oil) is extracted from Juniperus virginiana trees by steam distillation and contains cedrol, cedrene, cedrenol, cedral, cuperene, thujopsene, and widdrol as primary components. Cedarwood oil is used as a fragrance in cosmetic products, as a pesticide, and as a source material for production of other fragrance materials with cedarwood odors. Cedarwood oil was nominated for toxicity testing by the National Cancer Institute based on widespread and potentially increasing human exposure to the substance, and a lack of toxicology data. The dermal route of administration was selected for these studies because it is the most common route of exposure in humans due to its frequent use as a pesticide and as a fragrance in household products and cosmetics. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1/N mice were administered cedarwood oil dermally for 3 months. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium and mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes. (Abstract Abridged).