O-Phenylphenol and its Sodium and Potassium Salts: A Toxicological Assessment

Ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) and its sodium (SOPP) and potassium (POPP) salts are used as fungicides and disinfectants. Due to the widespread use of especially OPP and SOPP, the potential for consumer exposure and some “critical” findings the toxicological database is quite extensive and complex.In experimental animals toxicity after single oral and dermal administration of these compounds is low. For the skin and mucous membranes, OPP has to be considered as irritating, and SOPP and POPP as corrosive.A large number of chronic toxicity and reproduction studies did not show any indication of oestrogen-like or other endocrine effects of OPP in the mammalian organism. No teratogenic effects were observed after the administration of OPP or SOPP in rats, mice, and rabbits. In two-generation studies in rats, OPP did not affect reproduction.The available data do not suggest a relevant potential for immunotoxic properties.The administration of high dietary concentrations of OPP to mice up to 2 years induced hepatocel...