Testing Information

Testing Status of Agents at NTP

CAS Registry Number: 76-22-2 Toxicity Effects

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Selected toxicity information from HSDB, one of the National Library of Medicine's databases. 1

Names (NTP)

  • Camphor
  • DL-Camphor
  • BICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-, (+-)- (9CI)
  • 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-BICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONE (9CI)
  • CAMPHOR (8CI)
  • SPIRIT OF CAMPHOR
  • ROOT BARK OIL
  • 2-BORNANONE

Human Toxicity Excerpts

  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: In cases where excessive dose of 0.06-4 g were administered, visual disturbances have ... Been associated with general excitation. An appearance of flickering, darkening, or veiling of vision ... accompanied noises in ear, weakness, and ... convulsions. [Grant, W. M. Toxicology of the Eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974., p. 226]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: 1.5 g have been ingested... in an adult... with recovery... . In children 0.7 to 1.0 g has proved fatal. ...Urinary retention, albuminuria, and anuria are... described in non-fatal cases, but kidney lesions in fatal poisonings are not always prominent. Mild and transient hepatic derangements may occur and widespread hemorrhages are described in one fatal case. ...Fetal death... resulted /after camphor ingestion by mother/... . Postmortem exam revealed severe atelectasis and central neuronal necrosis... . [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. III-85]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: Camphor remains in over 950 products listed in Poisindex. ...A review of all camphor ingestions estimated to be 2 mg/kg or greater was made... . Seventy-three patients (90%) remained asymptomatic, three (4%) developed minor symptoms, and five (6%), all ingesting over 59 mg/kg, developed major symptoms. There were no deaths /reported/. [Geller RJ et al; Vet Hum Toxicol 26 (2): 8-10 (1984) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: Camphor crosses the placenta and has been implicated in fetal and neonatal death. It has been used to induce abortions. Camphor poisoning during pregnancy was reported in four cases and, in each case, camphorated oil was mistaken for castor oil. The topical use of camphorated oil in pregnancy was not associated with teratogenic effects. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: Camphor applied to the skin of volunteers as a 20% solution in alcohol produced no significant sensation of irritation or pain at normal skin temperatures. ...It did appear to have a slight sensitising effect on the perception of temperature change during heating and cooling, and increased the sensation of burning at high temperatures. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: Deafness has been reported in association with camphor. Ulceration of the mucous membranes has been reported following the use of toothache solutions containing camphor (along with menthol, phenol, clove oil and chloroform). [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES: 9 of 19 children experienced a seizure within 4-120 min after ingesting 0.07-6.0 g of camphor. In one child, seizures occurred within 2 hr of ingestion of 1 tablespoon..., about 0.7 g of camphor. This child had also received intranasal camphor twice daily for 5 months. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 345]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Camphor administered in doses of 60 mg-4 g was reported to cause flickering, darkening or veiling of vision along with noises in the ears. Corneal erosions have been reported in association with the use of inhalant capsules containing camphor. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Other clinical manifestations that have been reported /after camphor ingestion/ are tachycardia, mydriasis, visual disturbances urinary retention, albuminuria, mild transient elevations of the aspartate dehydrogenase and lactic dehydrogenase concentrations, and rarely, hepatic failure. [Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997., p. 983]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: With chronic dermal exposure, systemic effects and contact dermatitis can occur as well as significant allergic responses. Ocular exposure results primarily in irritation only, although oral intake has been associated with visual problems. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 339]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of camphor toxicity usually begin 5 to 90 minutes after ingestion and are often abrupt in onset. Spontaneous emesis, with the odor of camphor readily apparent, typically occurs first. CNS stimulation ensues with restlessness, confusion, delirium, and increased muscular activity. Severe toxicity may include seizures, apnea, and coma. Death results from respiratory depression or status epilepticus. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 339]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Chronic ingestion of camphor can cause a variety of symptoms clinically similar to Reye's syndrome. In chronic ingestion, CNS findings may or may not be present, depending on the dosage. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and hepatic enzymes elevation. Pathologic hepatic changes often include such findings as granulomatous hepatitis and fatty metamorphosis. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 339 Chronic ingestion339]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Heavy exposures (concentrations not specified) to camphor are reported to cause nausea, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, headache, twitching of facial muscles, spasticity, and with severe poisoning convulsions and coma. Camphor may be expected to be irritating to the eye, but no serious injuries have been noted. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices for 2001. Cincinnati, OH. 2001., p. 2]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Inhalation of concentrations above 2 ppm irritates the nose and throat (mucous membranes). Respiratory depression and apnea may occur. Very large exposures will cause the same clinical features as ingestion. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: /Symptoms of chronic ingestion including/... viral illness, rapid neurological deterioration, liver injury, prolonged prothrombin time, and low blood glucose were observed in a 6-month-old male child who received a total dose of 3 g/kg over a 5 month period. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Hyperexciteable emotional state, irritability, confusion, somatic hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety and agitation and coma have also been reported. Coma with, on postmortem examination, cerebral edema, neuronal degeneration and frank necrosis in the hippocampus and frontal cortex was seen in a 6 month old with chronic oral exposure to camphor. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: Camphor has occasionally been used in attempts to induce abortion: it was detected in maternal blood 15 min after ingestion, but not after 8 hr. At delivery 36 hr later, however, it was present in the amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, and in the fetal blood. This distribution might reflect immature hepatic glucuronic conjugation in the fetus- a major detoxication process for camphor in adults. The infant appeared viable at birth, but failed to initiate respiration. Post-mortem examination revealed severe atelectasis and CNS-necrosis. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: A man attempted suicide with 150 mL of camphorated oil, i.e., 30 g pure camphor (the potential lethal dose in an adult is 4 g pure camphor). He had peripheral circulatory shock and severe dehydration because of vomiting. Severe and prolonged grand-mal attacks occurred. The patient was fit and well 36 hr after intensive treatment. This is one of the largest overdoses of camphor associated with survival. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: A 3-year-old girl ingested 700 mg camphor from 1 tablespoon of Vicks VapoRub (R). This product had also been placed in her nostrils twice daily for 5 months. Grand-mal seizures occurred 2 hr after ingestion. Coma and respiratory depression lasted 21 hr. Full recovery ensued. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: An illness initially resembling Reye's syndrome with coma and hepatomegaly, resulting in death was described in a 6 month old child who had been chronically administered a home-made remedy containing camphor 29.2 mg/mL in 33.3% alcohol. Weakness, fever, anorexia, intense pruritus and weight loss developed in a woman who regularly ingested an ointment containing camphor. On examination, hepatomegaly was found, with granulomas, necrosis and eosinophils apparent on biopsy. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: Three cases of poisoning were associated with the use of camphorated gauze (9.6% camphor). A 14 month old child with 2nd degree burns to 5% of body area was treated with regular application of the gauze for 3 weeks. The child was ataxic within 3-4 days of starting treatment, and developed convulsions by the third week. The serum level of camphor at the time the gauze was removed was >2 g/mL, 32 g of camphor was recovered from the urine during the first 12 hours following exposure. A 13 year old boy with 2nd degree burns covering 35% of body surface was treated with camphor gauze dressings, for 50 hours, with the dressings changed at 24 and 48 hours. The total quantity of camphor applied was estimated to be 160 mg/kg/24hr. He began to have convulsions 50 hours into this treatment, the dressings were removed, and he recovered. His blood camphor level was 0.452 g/mL 17 hours after the dressings were removed, and urinary levels of metabolites were still rising by 4 days post termination of exposure. A 29 month old with 2nd degree burns to 50% of body surface area had camphor dressings applied for 4 hours until he began to have convulsions, with a respiratory arrest. He recovered. No serum or urinary camphor concentrations were measured. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: Ingestion of camphor in place of castor oil in an attempt to induce labor resulted in seizures and transient elevations of hepatic transaminase levels in a woman 40 weeks pregnant. The fetus died within 30 minutes of delivery. The exact cause of death is unclear, but camphor was detected in the amniotic fluid and cord and fetal blood 36 hours after ingestion. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 345]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: ...A case of hepatotoxicity in a 2-month-old baby after a camphor-containing cold remedy was applied dermally /is reported/. [Uc AQ et al; South Med J 93 (6): 596-8 (2000) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: Camphor ingestion led to status epilepticus in a 20-month-old girl who required intubation and ventilation. ... [Emery DP et al; J Paediatr Child Health 35 (1): 105-6 (1999) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: The case of a 16-yr-old girl who ingested 30 g of camphor dissolved with 250 mL wine to induce abortion is reported. The girl started vomiting 45 min after ingestion... . ...Camphor ingestion may lead to abortion because camphor crosses the placenta and fetuses lack the enzymes to hydroxylate and conjugate with glucuronic acid. [Rabl W et al; Forensic Sci Int 89 (1-2): 137-40 (1997) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: ...A suicide attempt with the camphorated phenol preparation Campho-Phenique /is reported/. The total dose ingested was 68 mg/kg of camphor and 28.9 mg/kg of phenol. The patient had grand mal seizures minutes after ingestion. Supportive medical care and intubation resulted in full recovery within 12 hours. [Lahoud CA et al; South Med J 90 (6): 647-8 (1997) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: A 2-yr old boy drank approx 9.15 mL of Camphophenique (10.8% camphor). Approx 10 min later, while in route to the emergency department, the child experienced a tonic-clonic seizure lasting 4-5 min. On arrival, his vital signs showed blood pressure of 100/72 mm Hg, pulse 124/min, unlabored respirations 24/min and temp of 37 deg C. The child was lethargic and initially did not respond to pain. Management included placement of IV lines and infusion of 17 mg/kg phenobarbital. Orogastric lavage was followed by instillation of 15 g activated charcoal. A room air arterial blood gas revealed pH, 7.36, PO2, 110; and PCO2, 36. Complete blood count, electrolytes, liver function test, serum ammonia, and chest radiography were normal. Phenobarbital, 30 mg IV every 12 hr was continued. Mental status cleared over the next 24 hr. [Gibson DE et al; Am J Emerg Med 7 (1): 41-3 (1989) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • CASE REPORTS: ...The literature from 1964-1983 /was reviewed/, and... the mean dose ingested by patients with major symptoms /was/ 124 mg/kg, with the mean dose in fatal cases being 199 mg/kg. /It was/... suggested, based on /the/ analysis of these figures, that patients ingesting <10 mg/kg of camphor and displaying no symptoms required no treatment. Adults have survived ingestions of up to 42 g, but usually doses in excess of 2 g produce dangerous effects. Fatal doses in children have ranged from 0.7-1.0 g. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**

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Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts

  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure: When taken by mouth, camphor can cause fatal poisoning. The lethal dose in the dog is 9-14 g. The general effects ... preliminary stimulation, with subsequent paralysis, of the central nervous system. Death is due to asphyxia. [Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981., p. 125]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure: The influence of systemic camphor poisoning on pupils has been investigated in rabbits; mydriasis is characteristic. [Grant, W. M. Toxicology of the Eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974., p. 226]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure: In urethane-anesthetized rabbits, ... camphor had a vasodilating action in the isolated rabbit-ear vessels when directly applied to the vessel at 50%. [Futami T; Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi: 83(3): 219-26 (1984) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure: Camphor causes convulsions by stimulating the cerebral cortex cells. Pathological findings consist of congestion and edematous changes in the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and brain. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices for 2001. Cincinnati, OH. 2001., p. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure: ...Female Swiss albino mice (8-9 wk old) were treated daily by oral route for 20 days with 50, 150 or 300 mg/kg bw of camphor dissolved in 0.1 mL of olive oil. Camphor only at the 300 mg/kg bw dose level caused a significant increase in the activities of cytochrome P450 (P<0.05), cytochrome b5 (P<0.05), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (P<0.05) and glutathione S-transferase (P<0.05). [Banerjee S et al; Cancer Lett 88 (2): 163-9 (1995) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Chronic Exposure or Carcinogenicity: ... The cancer promoter, croton oil, was concurrently applied with a 0.3% to 3% acetone solution of camphor to the skin of mice once weekly; Two carcinomas, one of which was invasive, appered in 110 treated mice. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices for 2001. Cincinnati, OH. 2001., p. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Chronic Exposure or Carcinogenicity: In tests for the carcinogenicity of camphor, no tumors were elicited in rats injected subcutaneously once monthly for 18 months with amounts making a 3-mm bleb. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices for 2001. Cincinnati, OH. 2001., p. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Developmental or Reproductive Toxicity: ...D-Camphor elicited no evidence of teratogenicity when administered orally during the fetal period of organogenesis to pregnant rats at doses up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day, and to pregnant rabbits at doses up to 681 mg/kg bw/day. The NOEL for the fetal organism for the rat was above 1000 mg/kg bw, and for the rabbit above 681 mg/kg bw. [Leuschner J; Arzneimittelforschung 47 (2): 124-8 (1997) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LABORATORY ANIMALS: Neurotoxicity: Neuronal necrosis... produced experimentallly in mice by... administration of multiple doses. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. III-85]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • GENOTOXICITY: Sister chromatid exchange has been reported in mice given 80 mg/kg doses of camphor intraperitoneally. [National Poisons Information Service Center, United Kingdom; Poisons Information Monograph: Camphor. (March 1996). Available from: http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/pharm/camphor/ukpid19.htm as of February 6, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • GENOTOXICITY: ...The radiation-induced SCE frequency was significantly low after a single dose of camphor (0.5 uM/g bw) administered 30, 45 or 60 min before irradiation; the effect was enhanced with increasing time intervals. [Goel HC et al; Mutat Res 224 (2): 157-60 (1989) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • GENOTOXICITY: ...The present study was undertaken to investigate the mutagenic potential of six monoterpenoid compounds /including(+/-)-camphor/... . ...Mutagenicity was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome assay (TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102 tester strains), without and with addition of an extrinsic metabolic activation system (lyophilized rat liver S9 fraction induced by Aroclor 1254). In all cases, the upper limit of the dose interval tested was either the highest non-toxic dose or the lowest dose of the monoterpene toxic to TA100 strain in the preliminary toxicity test. No mutagenic effect was found with (+/-) camphor, citral, citronellal, 1,8-cineole, and (-) menthol. [Gomes-Carneiro MR et al; Mutat Res 416 (1-2): 129-36 (1998) ]**PEER REVIEWED**

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Human Toxicity Values

  • None found

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Non-Human Toxicity Values

  • LD50 Mouse oral 1310 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 641]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LD50 Rat subcutaneously 70 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 641]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • LD50 Mouse ip 3000 mg/kg [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices for 2001. Cincinnati, OH. 2001., p. 2]**PEER REVIEWED**

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Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

  • Camphor is rapidly absorbed from the mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract. ... It is also absorbed through inhalation, through dermal application, and by nasal instillation. [Ford MD, Delaney KA, Ling LJ, Erickson T; Clinical Toxicology. W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia, PA. 2001, p. 339]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • ... after camphor ingestion by mothers ... camphor was detectable in maternal blood 15 min after ingestion, but not after 8 hr. At delivery 36 hr later ... it was present in amnionic fluid, cord and fetal blood and fetal brain, liver and kidneys. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. III-85]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Alimentary absorption of pure camphor, or of alcohol solution ... is quite rapid, but from the oil preparation absorption is constant. Camphor is ... slowly absorbed from sc or im depots. [Thienes, C., and T.J. Haley. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1972., p. 16]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Absorbed camphor is mainly eliminated as the oxidized camphorol in the urine, although some appears in the breath, sweat, and feces. [Rossoff, I.S. Handbook of Veterinary Drugs. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 1974., p. 74]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Camphor is readily and rapidly absorbed from the skin, and gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Camphor in oil solutions is absorbed slowly from subcutaneous or intramuscular depots. ...After oral ingestion, peak blood levels are reached in 5 to 90 min. The high lipid solubility of camphor suggests that it accumulates in adipose and other tissues. Camphor crosses the placenta, and has a large volume of distribution. ...Camphor-related metabolites are relatively fat-soluble and may accumulate in fatty tissue. ...Campherol conjugated to glucuronic acid is eliminated mainly in the urine as an inactive compound. Trace amounts are eliminated by the lungs. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**

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Metabolism/Metabolites

  • In the liver microsomes of female mice, two induction phases during inhalation of DL-camphor were found. During the first 24 hr the apparent molar activity of the ethylumbelliferone dealkylase decr very much. In the second phase, the molar ethylumbelliferone dealkylase activity was constant. [Mohn G; Different phases of hydroxylase induction in liver microsomes of female mice during inhalation of cyclohexane and D,L-camphor; Microsomes Drug Oxid, Proc Int Symp, 3rd: 59-66 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Camphor is partially oxidized ... and partially conjugated with glycuronic acid. [Thienes, C., and T.J. Haley. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1972., p. 17]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Bornane-2,5-dione was also detected as a minor metabolite of camphor ... In rat and rabbit-liver prepn ... [The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals Volume 3. London: The Chemical Society, 1975., p. 438]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • The metabolism of (+)-camphor and (-)-camphor was investigated in rabbits after administration /through/ stomach tube; metabolites of (+)-camphor were (+)-borneol, (+)-5-endo-hydroxycamphor, and (+)-3-endohydroxycamphor. [ROBERTSON JS, HUSSAIN M; METABOLISM OF CAMPHORS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS; BIOCHEM J 113 (1): 57-65 (1969) ]**PEER REVIEWED**
  • Camphor is rapidly oxidized to campherols (2-hydroxycamphor and 3-hydroxycamphor), and then conjugated in the liver to the glucuronide form. Camphor-related metabolites are relatively fat-soluble and may accumulate in fatty tissue. [IPCS; Poisons Information Monograph 095: Camphor. (May 1989). Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/camphor.htm#SectionTitle:1.5%20Brand%20names,%20Trade%20na mes as of February 5, 2004. ]**PEER REVIEWED**

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TSCA Test Submissions

  • None found

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Footnotes

1 Source: the National Library of Medicine's Hazardous Substance Database, 10/28/2007.

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Web page last updated on May 14, 2008