2-Ethylhexyl stearate was investigated in an embryo-/foetotoxicity and teratogenicity study on rats according to OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals (No. 414). Dose levels of 0 (arachidis oil), 100, 300 and 1000mg/kg body weight/day were administered by gavage. Dams tolerated the applied dose levels without any toxic effects. Pre- and post-implantation loss and mean numbers of resorptions were unaffected by treatment. All parameters were comparable with the animals of the control group. Skeletal and visceral investigations revealed no treatment-related malformations. For embryo-/foetotoxicity, teratogenicity and maternal toxicity a NOAEL of 1000mg/kg was deduced.

Tests on Zeolithe A, a sodium aluminium silicate developed as a substitute for phosphates in detergents, were designed to investigate the safety of exposure to the material, or to detergents containing it, either under industrial conditions encountered during manufacturing processes or as a consequence of domestic use. The test programme included oral studies (acute, subchronic and long-term carcinogenicity tests and absorption measurements), and dermal, ocular and inhalation studies on the silicate alone and on appropriate detergent formulations, as well as studies of possible silicogenic activity and metal-complexing potential and measurements of dust generation and particle-size distribution. These studies did not produce any evidence to suggest that levels of domestic and industrial exposure resulting from the projected use of Zeolithe A in detergents would present any hazard to health. Zeolithe A did not induce silicotic tissue reactions and when incorporated into detergent formulations did not increase the liberation of fine dusts.