Aromatic extracts refer to solvent extracts of distillates or the residue (residuum) from a vacuum tower; these substances are complex, highly viscous liquids that contain predominately aromatic hydrocarbons covering the carbon number range of C15 to C50. Aromatic extracts are produced during the refining of lubricating oil basestocks and waxes. The aromatic extracts can be grouped into two subcategories, distillate aromatic extracts (DAEs) and residual aromatic extracts (RAEs), according to the class of lubricating oil feedstock from which they are derived. The aromatic extracts are used as blending components of heavy fuels, as feed stock for production of carbon black, petroleum pitches and resins, and in the manufacture of rubber and plastics.
To meet the HPV Challenge, the Testing Group has thoroughly evaluated the substances within the Aromatic Extracts category and has made all of the reliable human health and ecological hazard data available to the public. The environmental fate of aromatic extracts is determined by the individual hydrocarbons present within the mixture. Because of their physical and chemical properties, these substances will tend to agglomerate rather than disperse if released to the environment. Some aromatic extracts have been found to cause toxicity in freshwater invertebrates and algae. The human health effects of aromatic extracts vary between acute and repeated-dose studies and between DAEs and RAEs.