Danger GHS08GHS07 NOAEL Data SVHC Prop 65 REACH Registered Cosmetic Ingredient

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone

Also known as: 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-methyl-, EINECS 212-828-1, N-Methylpyrrolidinone, 1-Methylpyrrolidinone, UNII-JR9CE63FPM (+5 more)

CAS 872-50-4

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (CAS 872-50-4) is a chemical substance with GHS signal word Danger; key hazard signal: H360D ***; H335; H315; H319. Key regulatory status: SVHC Candidate List, California Proposition 65, REACH registered, 28 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from ECHA CLP, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS, SCCS, ECHA REACH, ECHA SVHC, CA Prop 65, ILO ICSC, OSHA, EPA TRI.

View cosmetic safety profile for Methyl Pyrrolidone →

Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H360D, H335, H315, H319).

SOURCE Cross-vertical comparison Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: eu_clp_annex_vi.signal_word/hazard_statement_code

SOURCE NOAEL studies

NOAEL studies

SOURCE Chemical inventory jurisdictions

Regulatory lists

SOURCE EU CLP Annex VI

GHS signal

Danger

Chemical Identity

CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.

SOURCE DSSTox identifiers 15 fields

Name

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone

CAS Number

872-50-4

Molecular Formula

C5H9NO

InChI Key

SECXISVLQFMRJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Monoisotopic Mass

99.068414

Synonyms

2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-methyl-EINECS 212-828-1N-Methylpyrrolidinone1-MethylpyrrolidinoneUNII-JR9CE63FPMN-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoneN-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidoneN-methyl-gamma-butyrolactamNMPN-methylpyrrolidin-2-one

Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)

Candidate List status and reason under the ECHA REACH SVHC program.

SOURCE ECHA 1 records

Substance	Reason	Included
1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)	Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c)	20-Jun-2011

California Proposition 65

California OEHHA listing status and toxicity category.

SOURCE California OEHHA Proposition 65 List 1 records

Chemical	Toxicity Type	Cancer	Developmental	Listed
-	developmental	No	Yes	-

GHS / CLP Classification

EU harmonized hazard classification, hazard statements, pictograms, and signal word.

SOURCE EU CLP Annex VI (ECHA) 1 classifications

Hazard Class	H-Statements	Pictograms	Signal
Repr. 1B; STOT SE 3; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2	H360D ***; H335; H315; H319	GHS08; GHS07	Danger

ICSC Chemical Safety

International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.

SOURCE WHO/JECFA 1 records

Field	Value
GHS Signal Word	WARNING
GHS Hazard Statements	Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed Causes serious eye irritation May cause respiratory irritation Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Short-term Effects	The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. The substance is mildly irritating to the skin. Exposure to very high concentrations could cause lowering of consciousness.
Long-term Effects	Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Routes of Exposure	The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

OSHA Exposure Limits

Occupational exposure limits from OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH rows.

SOURCE OSHA / NIOSH / ACGIH occupational exposure limits 1 records

Agency	Metric	Value	ppm	mg/m3	Skin
CAL/OSHA	TWA	1 ppm (4 mg/m³)	1	4	Y

Functional Uses

Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 21 records

SolventBinderUV stabilizerFilm formerFlow promoterSolubility enhancerDiluent

Regulatory Lists

Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.

SOURCE EPA CPDat 28 records

List	Keyword	Source
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue	EU	CPCat
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Furniture and Furnishings	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other direct contact consumer goods	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - general arts and crafts supplies - arts and crafts paint; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - fabric treatment and dye; detected	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Toys and children's products	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
detected; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
air; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods; water	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Canada; pharmaceutical	DrugBank	DrugBank
banned; Europe; Personal care	European Commission	CosIng
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Europe; Specialty occupational products	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides	EPA	CPCat
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)	FDA	United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; detected; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
Europe; Specialty occupational products	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe	Danish Environmental Protection Agency	Danish EPA
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive	Belgaqua	CPCat
OEHHA Proposition 65 (3/2019)	STATE OF CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY	OEHHA Proposition 65 List
children; WA Children's Safe Product Act (4/2020)	State of Washington Department of Ecology	State of Washington
children	Vermont Department of Health	State of Vermont
OEHHA Proposition 65 (1/2023)	California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment	OEHHA Proposition 65 List
children	Oregon Health Authority	State of Oregon

NOAEL Studies

Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.

SOURCE NOAEL studies Showing 50 of 53 studies

Value	Unit	Endpoint	Route	Species	Source
28	-	-	-	-	Regulatory source
29	-	-	-	-	Regulatory source
40	%	-	dermal	rabbit	Regulatory source
48	mg/kg bw/day	-	inhalation	rabbit	Regulatory source
169	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	mouse	Regulatory source
169	mg/kg bw/day	-	dermal	rat	Regulatory source
207	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	mouse	Regulatory source
250	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	rat	Regulatory source
277	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	dog	Regulatory source
429	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	mouse	Regulatory source
=600	mg/kg bw/day	-	dermal	rabbit	Regulatory source
2060	mg/kg bw/day	-	oral	rat	Regulatory source
7500	mg/kg	-	inhalation	rat	Regulatory source
ABinhalation=3200; oral=17000 (dermal)	ug/day	California Proposition 65 MADL	-	-	California Proposition 65
ABdevelopmental	listing type	California Proposition 65 listing	-	-	California Proposition 65
0.2081	uL/min/10^6 cells	Clint	-	Human	NTP ICE adme parameters
0.3239	uL/min/10^6 cells	Clint	-	Rat	NTP ICE adme parameters
=40	mg/m3	DNEL local	inhalation	Human	ToxValDB GESTIS DNEL
=14.4	mg/m3	DNEL systemic	inhalation	Human	ToxValDB GESTIS DNEL
JR9CE63FPM	UNII	FDA UNII substance identifier	-	-	openFDA substances
0.7131	fraction	Fu	-	Rat	NTP ICE adme parameters
0.888	fraction	Fu	-	Human	NTP ICE adme parameters
=3914	mg/kg bw	LD50	oral	Rat	NTP ICE acute oral
=4320	mg/kg bw	LD50	oral	Rat	NTP ICE acute oral
=243.3	mg/m3	LEL	inhalation	Rat	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=250	mg/kg bw/day	LEL	oral	Rat	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=486.5	mg/m3	LEL	inhalation	Rat	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=500	mg/kg bw/day	LEL	oral	Rat	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=750	mg/kg bw/day	LEL	oral	Rat	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=1332	mg/kg bw/day	LEL	oral	Mouse	ToxValDB EPA TSCA 8e
=74	mg/kg bw	LOAEL	-	-	WHO/JECFA
=107.1	mg/kg bw/day	LOAEL	inhalation	Rat	WHO/JECFA
=360	mg/m3	LOAEL	dermal	Rat	WHO/JECFA
=400	mg/m3	LOAEL	inhalation	Rat	ToxValDB EU SCOEL
=478	mg/m3	LOAEL	-	-	WHO/JECFA
=622	mg/m3	LOAEL	-	-	WHO/JECFA
=680	mg/m3	LOAEL	-	-	WHO/JECFA
=750	mg/kg bw/day	LOAEL	-	-	WHO/JECFA
=1100	mg/kg bw/day	LOAEL	dermal	Rat	WHO/JECFA
0	unitless	Model Score	-	-	NTP ICE endocrine
=1	-	NOAEL	-	rabbit	SCCS Opinion
=2	-	NOAEL	oral	rat	SCCS Opinion
=4	-	NOAEL	inhalation	rat	SCCS Opinion
=6	-	NOAEL	inhalation	rat	SCCS Opinion
=11	%	NOAEL	inhalation	rat	SCCS Opinion
=14.8	mg/kg bw/day	NOAEL	oral	rat	SCCS Opinion
=28	-	NOAEL	-	-	SCCS Opinion
=29	-	NOAEL	-	-	SCCS Opinion
=40	%	NOAEL	dermal	rabbit	SCCS Opinion
=45	-	NOAEL	inhalation	rat	SCCS Opinion

Showing 50 of 53 studies

REACH Registration

Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.

SOURCE ECHA 1 records

Status	Name	EC Number	Link
Registered	1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone	212-828-1	ECHA overview →

EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)

TRI hazard and reporting flags for the matched chemical.

SOURCE EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list 1 records

Chemical	Category	Flags
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone	-	-

Australian Status (AICIS)

Australian industrial chemicals inventory status and applicable conditions.

SOURCE AICIS inventory 1 records

Inventory Status

listed

SCCS Opinions

EU Scientific Committee opinions tied to the matched substance.

SOURCE SCCS Opinion 2 opinions

Opinion	Date	Conclusion	Max Conc.	Concerns
SCCS/1433/11	22 March 2011	not safe	Not safe as cosmetic ingredient	Reproductive toxicant (CMR 1B); classified as Repr. Cat 1B; not permitted in cosmetics
SCCS/1413/11	2011-03-22	Based on a worst case assessment with a maximum use concentration of 5% NMP in cosmetic products and a dermal absorption of 100%, the Margin of Safety is considered to be too low. ... With the information available at the time of assessment, the SCCS is of the opinion that the presence of NMP with a maximum use concentration of 5% in cosmetic products is not safe for the consumer. A re-evaluation may be possible should relevant data that addresses the above be provided.	5% (assessed worst-case; found NOT safe)	At 5% with 100% dermal absorption the Margin of Safety is too low. Lack of data on actual maximum concentrations in cosmetic products and on dermal absorption at relevant concentrations. Re-evaluation possible if relevant data provided. NMP is a CMR-flagged substance (reproductive concern context).

Cosmetic Safety Profile

Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.

SOURCE CosIng / Ingredients DB

EU Status

prohibited

Max

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.

SOURCE ChEMBL / DailyMed METHYLPYRROLIDONE

ChEMBL Phase

Adverse Events

Bioactivity

View full pharmaceutical profile →

Cannabis Data

Same-CAS cannabis compliance and lab records where available.

SOURCE Cannabis regulatory / lab data efsa substances

1 cannabis record found in efsa substances.

View full cannabis profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GHS hazard classification for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone?

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (CAS 872-50-4) is classified under EU CLP Annex VI as Repr. 1B; STOT SE 3; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2 with signal word Danger. Hazard statements: H360D ***; H335; H315; H319. Source: EU CLP Annex VI (ECHA).

What is the NOAEL for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone?

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone has 53 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 0 unitless. Source: NTP ICE endocrine.

What regulatory lists include N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone?

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone appears on 23 regulatory/inventory lists including artificial_saliva; detected; emissions; Europe; Other indirect contact consumer goods, active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue, air; Cons electronics mech appliances and machinery; detected; emissions; Europe, and 20 more. Source: EPA CPDat.

Is N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone on the California Proposition 65 list?

Yes, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is listed under California Proposition 65 for developmental. Source: California OEHHA Proposition 65.

Is N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC)?

Yes, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is listed on the ECHA REACH Candidate List as a Substance of Very High Concern. Reason: Toxic for reproduction (Article 57c). Source: ECHA SVHC Candidate List.

What are the occupational exposure limits for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone?

Occupational exposure limits for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone are set by CAL/OSHA. 1 limit value from official agencies are documented in the database. Source: OSHA, NIOSH, ACGIH.

Is N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone used in cosmetics?

Yes, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Methyl Pyrrolidone. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.

Where does the safety data for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone come from?

Safety data is sourced from ECHA CLP Annex VI, EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme), EPA DSSTox, ECHA REACH, ECHA SVHC Candidate List, California Proposition 65, ILO/WHO ICSC, OSHA/NIOSH/ACGIH, EPA Toxics Release Inventory, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, cannabis regulatory/lab databases. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.

Does N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone is prohibited in EU cosmetics at max 5% but has active industrial GHS classifications (H360D, H335, H315, H319).

Is N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone used outside industrial chemicals?

N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, cannabis databases.