Isoamyl acetate

IDLH Documentation
CAS number: 123­92-2

NIOSH REL: 100 ppm (525 mg/m3) TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (525 mg/m3) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993­1994 ACGIH TLV: 100 ppm (532 mg/m3) TWA

Description of substance: Colorless liquid with a banana­like odor.

LEL(@212°F): 1.0% (10% LEL(@212°F), 1,000 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 3,000 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that slight narcotic effects were noted in cats exposed for 6 hours at 2800 ppm [Flury and Wirth 1933]. This is the only useful data available on which to base the IDLH.

Short­term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal concentration data:

Species
Reference
LC50

(ppm)
LCLo

(ppm)
Time
Adjusted 0.5-hr

LC (CF)
Derived value
CatFlury and Wirth 1933
-----
6,470
?
?
?

Lethal dose data:

Species
Reference
Route
LD50

(mg/kg)

LDLo

(mg/kg)
Adjusted LD
Derived value
Rabbit

Rat

Munch 1972

Yakkyoku 1981

oral

oral
7,422

16,600

-----

-----
9,603 ppm

21,479 ppm

960 ppm

2,148 ppm

Other animal data: Slight narcotic effects were noted in cats exposed to 2,800 ppm for 6 hours [Flury and Wirth 1933].

Human data: Isoamyl acetate is considered more irritating than butyl acetate. Exposure to 1,000 ppm for 30 minutes resulted in irritation, dyspnea, fatigue, and increased pulse [Amor 1950]. It is considered dangerous to life after 5 hours of exposure to 10,000 ppm [Browning 1965].

Revised IDLH: 1,000 ppm

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for isoamyl acetate is 1,000 ppm based on acute toxicity data in humans [Amor 1950] and animals [Munch 1972]. This value is also equal to 10% of the lower explosive limit of 1% (which was determined at 212°F).

REFERENCES:

1. ACGIH [1971]. Isoamyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, pp. 138­139.

2. Amor AJ [1950]. The toxicity of solvents. Paint Manufacture 20:53­58.

3. Browning E [1965]. Toxicity and metabolism of industrial solvents. New York, NY: Elsevier Publishing Company, p. 539.

4. Flury F, Wirth W [1933]. Zur toxikologie der lösungsmittel (Verschieden ester, aceton, methylalkohol). Arch Gewerbepath Gewerbehyg 5:1­90 (in German).

5. Munch JC [1972]. Aliphatic alcohols and alkyl esters: narcotic and lethal potencies to tadpoles and to rabbits. Ind Med Surg 41(4):31­33.

6. Yakkyoku (Pharmacy) [1981]; 32:1241­1247 (in Japanese).

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