Dinitrobenzene (o-, m-, p­isomers)

IDLH Documentation

CAS number: 528­29­0 (o­isomer), 99­65­0 (m­isomer), 100­25­4 (p­isomer)

NIOSH REL: 1 mg/m3 TWA [skin]

Current OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m3 TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m3 (0.15 ppm) TWA [skin]

Description of Substance: Pale­white or yellow solid.

LEL:. . Unknown

Original (SCP) IDLH: 200 mg/m3

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: No data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base an IDLH for dinitrobenzene. The chosen IDLH, therefore, has been estimated from the statement by Deichmann and Gerarde [1969] that the probable lethal oral dose for an adult is 2 grams.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal dose data:


Species

Reference

Route
LD50

(mg/kg)
LDLo

(mg/kg)

Adjusted LD
Derived value
p-isomer
Cat
Spector 1955
oral
-----
29
203 mg/m3
20 mg/m3
m-isomer
Rat
Rabbit
Kitchens et al. 1978
Kitchens et al. 1978
oral
oral
83
-----
-----
400
581 mg/m3
2,800 mg/m3
58 mg/m3
280 mg/m3


Human data: The probable lethal oral dose has been reported to be 2 grams [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969]. [Note: An oral dose of 2 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 1,300 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

Revised IDLH: 50 mg/m3

Basis for revised IDLH: No inhalation toxicity data are available on which to base an IDLH for dinitrobenzene. Therefore, the revised IDLH for dinitrobenzene is 50 mg/m3 based on acute oral toxicity data in humans [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969].


REFERENCES:

1. Deichmann WB, Gerarde HW [1969]. Dinitrobenzenes. In: Toxicology of drugs and chemicals. New York, NY: Academic Press, Inc., pp. 226­227.

2. Kitchens JF, Harward WE III, Lauter DM, Wentsel RS, Valentine RS [1978]. Preliminary problem definition of 48 munitions­related chemicals. Vol. 1. Explosives related chemicals. Alexandria, VA: Atlantic Research Corporation, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command Contract No. DAMD17­77­C­7057.

3. Spector WS, ed. [1955]. Handbook of toxicology. Vol. 1. Acute toxicities of solids, liquids and gases to laboratory animals. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., pp. 116­117.
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