Since benzyl alcohol is similar in structure to phenol and cresol, this method of collection and analysis was tried and found to give good recoveries for retention, desorption, and storage. Benzyl alcohol is a component of many naturally occurring perfume oils, including jasmine, hyacinth, and ylang-ylang. Benzyl alcohol and its esters are used in making perfumes and flavorings. Benzyl alcohol is used in the manufacture of other benzyl compounds, in cosmetics, in ointments, as a bacteriostat, as a photographic developer for color film, and as an embedding material in microscopy. It is used as a solvent for gelatin, casein, cellulose acetate, shellac, dyestuffs, and waxes.
Benzyl alcohol is a moderate skin and mucous membrane irritant, and a severe eye irritant.
Limit defining parameters 1.2.1. This is the smallest amount that could be detected under normal operating conditions. The overall detection limit is 0.009 ppm. The sampling procedure is convenient. The analytical method is reproducible and sensitive.