Odorless Mineral Spirits
- Aliphatic solvents
- CAS 64741-65-7
Low acute toxicity in normal use. Repeated or prolonged skin contact can cause dermatitis. Vapors at high concentrations cause CNS depression — ventilate when using indoors. The 'odorless' designation refers to aromatic removal, not absence of all volatiles.
Odorless mineral spirits (OMS) is a highly refined aliphatic petroleum distillate with aromatic content reduced to <1%. It is the standard carrier solvent in paste and liquid waxes, dissolving carnauba and synthetic wax polymers for easy application and release.
The low aromatic content substantially reduces health risk vs. standard mineral spirits: no benzene, toluene, or xylene. The primary concern is dermal exposure over time (irritant contact dermatitis) and inhalation of vapors in poorly ventilated spaces.
From an environmental standpoint, OMS is a slow-degrading petroleum fraction. The tiny quantities in consumer wax products are not an aquatic concern at normal dilution, but large spills to soil or water should be contained.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- yes
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- no
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- yes
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 3/5
2 products contain this
Adam's Polishes Buttery Waxliquid-wax
Adam's Polishes Ceramic Liquid Waxliquid-wax
Health summaries are editorial — we synthesize from SDSs, peer-reviewed sources, and regulatory listings. Not medical advice.