β-Terpineol

β-Terpineol is a minor terpineol isomer, present at small levels in a few oils. Its toxicology profile is inferred from mixed isomer terpineol data.

Overview. All terpineol isomers were tested together in RIFM studies. The mixed sample showed mild irritation when undiluted, no sensitization at 12 percent on 25 volunteers, and an acute oral LD50 in rats of 4.3 g/kg.

Cancer. Intraperitoneal injection of α- or β-terpineol in mice at total doses of 1.9 or 9.6 g/kg over 24 weeks produced no increase in primary lung tumors compared to controls.

The β structure differs from α in the position of the double bond, but biological properties are nearly equivalent. γ-Terpineol and δ-terpineol also exist at small levels in some oils.