Camphor (synthetic)

IDLH Documentation

CAS number: 76­22­2

NIOSH REL: 2 mg/m3 TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 2 mg/m3 TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 12 mg/m3 (2 ppm) TWA, 19 mg/m3 (3 ppm) STEL

Description of Substance: Colorless or white crystals with a penetrating, aromatic odor.

LEL: . . 0.6% (10% LEL, 3,600 mg/m3)

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 camphor. For this draft technical standard, therefore, the chosen IDLH is based on a report by Gronka et al. [1969] concerning the camphor processing and packaging area of a plant. Concentrations of camphor ranging from 3 to 194 mg/m3 produced nose and sinus irritation among workers in this plant [Gronka et al. 1969].

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal concentration data:


Species

Reference

LC50

LCLo

Time
Adjusted 0.5-hr

LC (CF)
Derived

Value
Mouse
Nikolaeva 1957
-----
400 mg/m3
3 hr
720 mg/m3 (1.8)
72 mg/m3


Lethal dose data:


Species

Reference

Route
LD50

(mg/kg)
LDLo

(mg/kg)

Adjusted LD
Derived value
Dog

Mouse

Rabbit
Flury and Zernik 1935

Horikawa and Okada 1975

Smith and Margolis 1954
oral

oral

oral
-----

1,310

-----
800

-----

2,000
5,600 mg/m3

9,170 mg/m3

14,000 mg/m3
560 mg/m3

917 mg/m3

1,400 mg/m3


Human data: It has been reported that concentrations during camphor processing and packaging ranged from 33 to 194 mg/m3; workers had no complaints other than slight eye irritation and afternoon drowsiness [Gronka et al. 1969].

Revised IDLH: 200 mg/m3 [Unchanged]

Basis for revised IDLH: Based on chronic inhalation toxicity data in workers [Gronka et al. 1969], the original IDLH for synthetic camphor (200 mg/m3) is not being revised at this time.


REFERENCES:

1. Flury F, Zernik F [1935]. Zusammenstellung der toxischen und letalen dosen für die gebräuchlichsten gifte und versuchstiere. Abder Hand Biol Arbeitsmethod 4:1289­1422 (in German).

2. Gronka PA, Bobkoski RL, Tomchick GJ, Rakow AB [1969]. Camphor exposures in a packaging plant. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 30:276­279.

3. Horikawa E, Okada T [1975]. Experimental study on acute toxicity of phenol camphor. Shika Gakuho (Journal of Dentistry) 75:934­939 (in Japanese).

4. Nikolaeva [1957]. Toxicological evaluation of camphor vapors. Gig Sanit 22(11):83­86 (in Russian).

5. Smith AG, Margolis G [1954]. Camphor poisoning: anatomical and pharmacologic study; report of a fatal case; experimental investigation of protective action of barbiturate. Am J Pathol 30(5):857­868.
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