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While limonene is not toxic in animals even after multiple doses, it caused skin irritation and sensitivity in some cosmetics and scented household products.
14 people in a study developed dermatitis (skin inflammation and rashes) after using detergents, hand cleansers, and dish-washing liquids containing limonene. Three individuals exhibited this allergic reaction after using cosmetics with limonene. However, these results cannot be attributed to the effect of limonene alone.
Skin patches containing limonene and linalool were worn by 4,731 individuals, and 422 (8.9%) participants developed an allergic reaction on their skin.
While limonene caused kidney cancer in rats, this should not affect humans since the protein involved in this particular pathway is not present in humans.
In a study of 32 patients with various forms of cancer, limonene caused nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at high doses.
Based on various studies, limonene is safe in humans as long as it is taken in moderate amounts and for up to a year. Longer studies (2 years) were conducted with mammalian cells and rats with no negative effects. *
