CAMPHOR has been used for centuries in a range of medical, industrial and cultural practices, particularly in traditional medicine.
The white crystalline substance is found in over-the-counter products for pain relief, cough suppression and skin treatments. It’s also the main ingredient in the majority of the locally produced “minyak angin”.
However, some have raised concerns that camphor causes cancer. Is camphor carcinogenic?
Verdict:
FALSE
Camphor itself is not carcinogenic and is considered safe when used appropriately in approved medicinal applications.
Camphor is a white or transparent waxy substance found in the wood of the camphor laurel and other trees found in Asia and Borneo.
It is also produced synthetically from the oil of turpentine.
It has been used for centuries for its medicinal features, in religious rituals and in cooking.
White camphor, the form used in aromatherapy and in over-the-counter products, has been thoroughly studied and is not classified as a carcinogen.
The US Food and Drug Administration restricted commercial products intended for medicinal use to contain less than 11% camphor in 1982, establishing safety guidelines for its use.
In fact, white camphor oil has been the subject of anti-cancer research, with studies showing it can induce tumour regression in certain skin cancers.
However, certain camphor oils contain high levels of safrole, a compound classified as a probable human carcinogen.
Camphor oil is separated into four distinct fractions: white, brown, yellow and blue camphor.
Brown camphor oil contains approximately 80% safrole, making it highly carcinogenic and toxic.
Yellow camphor oil also contains significant amounts of safrole, though less than the brown variety.
A grove of Camphor Laurel trees in Sha Tau Kok, Hong Kong. Camphor is a white or transparent, waxy substance found in the wood of the tree. – (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Safrole is a chemical compound found in the oils of camphor and sassafras, historically used medicinally as a counterirritant and for parasitic infections, but now recognised as a carcinogen and restricted in consumer products.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, safrole is classified as group B2, which means it is considered probably carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence in animals.
Studies have shown that safrole causes liver cancer in male mice and benign or malignant liver tumours in rats through dietary administration or other routes of exposure.
Brown and yellow camphor oils were historically used in certain traditional medicinal preparations and as flavouring agents, but are no longer permitted in consumer products due to their safrole content.
The International Fragrance Association recommends that essential oils containing safrole should not be used at a level where the total concentration exceeds 0.01% in consumer products.
White camphor oil, commonly available in commercial products, has had the safrole removed and is considered safe for use.
In conclusion, while pure camphor and properly processed white camphor oil are not carcinogenic, consumers should be aware that brown and yellow camphor oils containing high levels of safrole are dangerous and should be avoided entirely.
References:
1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/camphor
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/safrole
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6724528/
4. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/unexpected-side-effects-of-camphor/