Summary

Previous tests evaluating the estrogenic activity of essential oils may have been contaminated by estrogenic compounds that migrated out of the plastic polystyrene test plates. If so, then the data that seem to demonstrate estrogenic activity may be wrong. It is important to clarify if essential oils, particularly lavender and tea tree oil can liberate estrogenic plastic compounds from polystyrene.

Program

Tea Tree Oil

Research Organisation

ATTIA Ltd

Objective Summary

1.1. Determine whether plastic components migrate from polystyrene test vessels into the vessel contents under the influence of essential oils and essential oils in matrices that mirror those used in tests for estrogenic activity.
1.2. Identify any migrant compounds.
1.3. Assess migrants’ capacity to confound tests for estrogenic activity qualitatively, by comparison with published data on estrogenic compounds.