Why is benzaldehyde banned?

A good source of benzaldehyde is bitter almond oil, mostly crude benzaldehyde. It can be purified via vacuum distillation or steam distillation in an inert atmosphere. However, keep in mind that since the bitter almond oil is basically crude benzaldehyde, legally, there is no distinction between the oil and impure benzaldehyde. In the US, it's illegal to import bitter almond oil without proper paperwork.

Benzaldehyde is challenging to acquire in some countries due to its use in the manufacturing of illegal amphetamine-class drugs. It is considered a List I chemical in the US, meaning it cannot be legally purchased without a permit. In the EU, however, its sale is not restricted and can be bought online or from chemical suppliers[1].

International regulatory status

The following international exposure standards were identified for benzaldehyde (Chemwatch, n.d.):

Benzaldehyde has an exposure standard of 5 mg/m3 time-weighted average (TWA) in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia and Russia; 10 mg/m3 in Poland; and 8.68 mg/m3 in the USA. Benzaldehyde has short-term exposure limits (STEL) of 17.36 mg/m3 in the USA and Canada, 10 mg/m3 in Hungary, and 40 mg/m3 in Poland[2].

Benzaldehyde has been identified as a component of e-cigarette products overseas.

European Union

In 2022, the European Union proposed a ban on the availability of certain flavoured e-cigarettes which contain tobacco products (EC, 2022). The ban will apply from October 2023.

New Zealand

New Zealand has limited the sale of vaping products to those that are mint, menthol or tobacco-flavoured. Specialist vaping product retailers are permitted to sell other flavours.

Canada

Though not explicitly listed, benzaldehyde is expected to be covered by the 'Industry Guide to Vaping Products Subject to the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act' as substances with known inhalation risks "should never be added to vaping substances".

Health Canada is proposing to amend the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Flavours) to establish restrictions on the use of flavours in vaping products. The proposal would prohibit the use of sugar sweeteners and flavouring ingredients in vaping products (with limited restrictions).

United Kingdom

Though not explicitly listed, benzaldehyde is expected to be covered by 'Advice on ingredients in nicotine-containing liquids in electronic cigarettes and refill containers' as a substance not permitted as an ingredient in e-cigarette liquids as "it poses a risk to human health in the heated or unheated form".

United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a policy prioritising enforcement against selling unauthorised flavoured e-cigarettes (other than tobacco or menthol-flavoured products).

Other

Benzaldehyde is listed in the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards. Its use as a fragrance ingredient is restricted across various product categories. Maximum concentrations recommended by IFRA for benzaldehyde vary (0.021–1.8% depending on the product category). There are no recommended concentration restrictions for benzaldehyde in product category 12 (Products not intended for direct skin contact, minimal or insignificant transfer to the skin) (IFRA n.d.).

References

[1] Benzaldehyde - Sciencemadness Wiki. https://www.sciencemadness. org/smwiki/index.php/Benzaldehyde#:~:text =Benzaldehyde%20is%20difficult%20to%20acquire,legally%20purchased%20without%20a%20permit.

[2]Benzaldehyde - Evaluation statement - 26 June 2023 (industrialchemicals.gov.au). https://www.industrialchemicals.  gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-06/ EVA00096%20-% 20Evaluation%20Statement%20- %2026%20June%202023.pdf