HHCB

Galaxolide®; formula: C18H26O; CAS Registry Number: 1222-05-5

The world's most important fragrance among the chemical group of polycyclic musks

HHCB is a polycyclic musk used as synthetic fragrance, e.g., in cosmetics, personal care products like soaps, shampoos, lotions and deodorants, household and laundry cleaning products, air fresheners, papers and textiles.

Following use, HHCB enters the environment through waste waters and sewage sludge.  
Its degradation is slow. It is lipohilic and accumulated by organisms.

HHCB is toxic to aquatic organisms and soil organisms in prolonged tests. Moreover, weak endocrine activity was detected in laboratory tests.

Specimen

Sampling area

Sampling period

1986 - 2003