Nitrobenzene

IDLH Documentation
CAS number: 98­95­3

NIOSH REL: 1 ppm (5 mg/m3) TWA [skin]

Current OSHA PEL: 1 ppm (5 mg/m3) TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 1 ppm (5 mg/m3) TWA [skin]

Description of substance: Yellow, oily liquid with a pungent odor like paste shoe polish.

LEL(@200°F): 1.8% (10% LEL(@200°), 1,800 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 200 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] and AIHA [1959] that Henderson and Haggard [1943] reported that 200 ppm is the maximum concentration that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturbance.

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
DogFlury and Zernik 1935
oral
-----
750
1,025 ppm
103 ppm
RatKashkalda &d Kolodub 1988
oral
780
-----
1,066 ppm
107 ppm
RatSmyth et al. 1969
oral
600
-----
820 ppm
82 ppm
MouseVasilenko & Zvezdai 1981
oral
590
-----
807 ppm
81 ppm

Human data: It has been reported that 200 ppm is the maximum concentration that can be inhaled for 1 hour without serious disturbance [Henderson and Haggard 1943].

Revised IDLH: 200 ppm [Unchanged]

Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Henderson and Haggard 1943], the original IDLH for nitrobenzene (200 ppm) is not being revised at this time.

REFERENCES:

1. ACGIH [1971]. Nitrobenzene. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 183.

2. AIHA [1959]. Nitrobenzene. In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 20:66­67.

3. 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).

4. Henderson Y, Haggard HW [1943]. Noxious gases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, p. 228.

5. Kashkalda DA, Kolodub FA [1988]. Effect of para­nitrobenzol and 2,4­dinitrochlorobenzol on condition of hydrocarbon­energetic exchange in rats. Gig Tr Prof Zabol 32(2):48­49 (in Russian).

6. Smyth HF Jr, Weil CS, West JS, Carpenter CP [1969]. An exploration of joint toxic action: twenty­seven industrial chemicals intubated in rats in all possible pairs. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 14:340­347.

7. Vasilenko NM, Zvezdai VI [1981]. Mathematical prognosing of toxicity data for nitro and amino compounds having a benzene ring. Gig Tr Prof Zabol 25(8):50­52 (in Russian).
Go back to the Documentation for Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentrations (IDLHs)