The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

Pyrocatechol

RTECS #: UX1050000

CAS #: 120-80-9

UPDATE: May 2005 MW: 110.12 MF: C6H6O2


NOTE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
  1. SYNONYMS:
  2. MUTATION DATA:
  3. REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA:
  4. TUMORIGENIC DATA:
  5. ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
  6. OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA:
  7. REVIEWS:
  8. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:
  9. NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:
  10. STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:
  11. REFERENCES:

SYNONYMS:

  1. 1,2 - Benzenediol
  2. 1,2 - Dihydroxybenzene
  3. 2 - Hydroxyphenol
  4. Benzene, o - dihydroxy -
  5. C.I. 76500
  6. C.I. Oxidation Base 26
  7. Catechin (phenol)
  8. Catechol
  9. Catechol (ACGIH)
  10. Catechol (phenol)
  11. Durafur developer C
  12. Fouramine PCH
  13. Fourrine 68
  14. Katechol (Czech)
  1. NCI - C55856
  2. Oxyphenic acid
  3. Pelagol Grey C
  4. Phthalhydroquinone
  5. Pyrocatechin
  6. Pyrocatechine
  7. Pyrokatechin (Czech)
  8. o - Benzenediol
  9. o - Dihydroxybenzene
  10. o - Dioxybenzene
  11. o - Diphenol
  12. o - Hydroquinone
  13. o - Hydroxyphenol
  14. o - Phenylenediol


SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
N/R
 N/R N/R N/R


MUTATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

SYSTEM TEST ROUTE/
ORGANISM/
TISSUE 		DOSE REFERENCE
cytogenetic analysis hamster embryo 3 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997
cytogenetic analysis hamster ovary 50 mg/L CALEDQ 14,251,1981
cytogenetic analysis hamster lung 60 µmol/L/2 hour MUREAV 540,29,2003
DNA damage human lymphocyte 100 µmol/L EMMUEG 26,305,1995
DNA damage mouse lymphocyte 500 µmol/L MUREAV 203,155,1988
DNA damage other microorganisms 10 mmol/L MUREAV 368,235,1996
DNA damage rat liver 3 mmol/L CALEDQ 63,47,1992
DNA inhibition human HeLa cell 200 µmol/L MUREAV 92,427,1982
DNA inhibition mouse lymphocyte 250 µmol/L MOPMA3 28,560,1985
DNA repair Bacillus subtilis 500 mg/L ESKGA2 32,171,1986
unscheduled DNA synthesis hamster embryo 1 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997
unscheduled DNA synthesis oral
rat 		1 gm/kg JJIND8 74,1283,1985
mutation in microorganisms Escherichia coli 2 mg/plate (-enzymatic activation step) MUREAV 467,41,2000
mutation in microorganisms Salmonella typhimurium 15 µmol/plate (+enzymatic activation step) PAACA3 20,117,1979
mutation in microorganisms Salmonella typhimurium 4 µg/plate (-enzymatic activation step) ABCHA6 45,327,1981
micronucleus test hamster lung 25 µmol/L EVHPAZ 82,81,1989
micronucleus test oral
mouse 		40 mg/kg MUREAV 208,61,1988
micronucleus test intraperitoneal
mouse 		10 mg/kg MUREAV 341,29,1994
gene conversion and mitotic recombination Aspergillus nidulans 10 mmol/L MUTAEX 2,235,1987
gene conversion and mitotic recombination Saccharomyes cerevisiae 300 mg/L MUREAV 135,109,1984
mutation in mammalian somatic cells hamster embryo 10 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997
mutation in mammalian somatic cells mouse lymphocyte 2,500 µg/L EMMUEG 11,523,1988
morphological transform hamster embryo 1 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997
morphological transform mouse other cell types 0.25 mg/L/12 day MUREAV 557,191,2004
other mutation test systems human lymphocyte 40 µmol/L CNREA8 40,1189,1980
other mutation test systems rabbit bone marrow 2 mmol/L AJIMD8 7,485,1985
sister chromatid exchange hamster lung 12,500 nmol/L EVHPAZ 82,81,1989
sister chromatid exchange hamster embryo 10 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997
sister chromatid exchange human lymphocyte 40 µmol/L CNREA8 40,1189,1980
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction hamster embryo 30 µmol/L MUREAV 373,113,1997


REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 1 gm/kg (11 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth) TJADAB 41,43,1990
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 5 mg/kg (1 day prior to copulation) Reproductive: Maternal effects: Ovaries, fallopian tubes ENDOAO 57,466,1955


TUMORIGENIC DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
oral
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 645 gm/kg/96 week- continuous Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JJCREP 81,207,1990
oral
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 3,696 mg/kg/44 week- continuous Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Tumorigenic: Facilitates action of known carcinogens

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		CALEDQ 139,167,1999
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 437 gm/kg/2 year- continuous Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JJCREP 81,207,1990
oral
rat 		toxic dose : 60,640 mg/kg/24 week- continuous Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JJCREP 77,854,1986
oral
rat 		toxic dose : 349 gm/kg/2 year- continuous Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		FCTOD7 33,93,1995
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 171 gm/kg/51 week- continuous Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JJCREP 85,17,1994
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 7,854 mg/kg/34 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 102,648 mg/kg/104 week- intermittent Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria

Gastrointestinal: Tumors 		JTPAE7 29,180,2001


ACUTE TOXICITY DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 150 mg/kg N/R HBTXAC 1,62,1955
intraperitoneal
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 150 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 68 mg/kg N/R PHTOEH 64,247,1989
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 190 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
intravenous
cat 		lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
intravenous
dog 		lowest published lethal dose: 40 mg/kg N/R HBTXAC 1,62,1955
intravenous
dog 		lowest published lethal dose: 40 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral
cat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg N/R IPSTB3 3,93,1976
oral
dog 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 130 mg/kg N/R IPSTB3 3,93,1976
oral
dog 		lowest published lethal dose: 130 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral
guinea pig 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 210 mg/kg N/R AFREAW 3,197,1951
oral
mammal (species unspecified) 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 240 mg/kg Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Behavioral: Muscle contraction or spasticity

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		TPKVAL 15,136,1979
oral
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 260 mg/kg N/R AFREAW 3,197,1951
oral
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 260 mg/kg N/R AFREAW 3,197,1951
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3,890 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral
rabbit 		lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex)

Blood: Luekopenia

Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia 		38MKAJ 2A,2585,1981
oral
rabbit 		lowest published lethal dose: 1,000 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
parenteral
frog 		lowest published lethal dose: 160 mg/kg Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold 		AEPPAE 166,437,1932
subcutaneous
frog 		lowest published lethal dose: 160 mg/kg N/R HBTXAC 1,62,1955
subcutaneous
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg N/R HBTXAC 1,62,1955
subcutaneous
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 247 mg/kg N/R INHEAO 5,143,1967
subcutaneous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 247 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published lethal dose: 110 mg/kg N/R AIPTAK 176,193,1968
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous
rabbit 		lowest published lethal dose: 225 mg/kg N/R JAFCAU 17,497,1969
skin
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 800 mg/kg Skin: After topical application: Primary irritation

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain 		AIHAAP 37,596,1976
skin
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 800 mg/kg Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		VCVGK* -,224,1994


OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 450 mg/kg/3 day- intermittent Blood: Changes in bone marrow not included in above

Blood: Changes in spleen 		VCVGK* -,225,1994
intravenous
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 450 mg/kg/3 day- intermittent Blood: Changes in bone marrow not included in above

Blood: Changes in spleen 		VCVGK* -,225,1994
oral
chicken 		lowest published toxic dose: 98 gm/kg/4 week- intermittent Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field FEPRA7 29,568,1970
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 15,470 mg/kg/34 week- intermittent Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 2,226 mg/kg/7 day- intermittent Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain JTPAE7 29,180,2001


REVIEWS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value time-weighted average 5 ppm (skin) DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2003
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2003
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Review Animal Sufficient Evidence IMEMDT 71,433,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Review Animal Inadequate Evidence IMEMDT 15,155,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Review Human No Adequate Data IMEMDT 15,155,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Review Human No Adequate Data IMEMDT 71,433,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Cancer Review Group 2B IMEMDT 71,433,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
MUREAV 566,99,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
MUREAV 567,227,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
MUREAV 567,109,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
MUREAV 567,151,2004


STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRALIA time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRIA MAK 5 pppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - BELGIUM time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - DENMARK time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - FINLAND time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (45 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - FRANCE VME 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - NORWAY time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - THE NETHERLANDS MAC-TGG 20 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWITZERLAND MAK- week 5 ppm (23 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - UNITED KINGDOM time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m3), SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN, KOREA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value;

Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown
Occupational Exposure Limit IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value
Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown


NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD or SURVEY
REFERENCE
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CATECHOL-air 10 hour time-weighted average 5 ppm (Sk) NIOSH* DHHS #95-121,1995
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974: Hazard Code: M1763;
Number of Industries 4;
Total Number of Facilities 147;
Number of Occupations 6;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 642
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983: Hazard Code: M1763;
Number of Industries 8;
Total Number of Facilities 700;
Number of Occupations 15;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 13,516;
Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 5,799


STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:

ORGANIZATION
REFERENCE
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
Used as a chemical intermediate, pharmaceutical and veterinary drug
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
On EPA IRIS database
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001


REFERENCES:

CODEN
REFERENCE
38MKAJ "Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology," 3rd rev. ed., Clayton, G.D., and F.E. Clayton, eds., New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1978-82. Vol. 3 originally pub. in 1979; pub. as 2nd rev. ed. in 1985.
ABCHA6 Agricultural and Biological Chemistry. (Maruzen Co. Ltd., POB 5050, Tokyo International, Tokyo 100-31, Japan) V.25- 1961-
AEPPAE Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archiv fuer Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie. (Berlin, Ger.) V.110-253, 1925-66. For publisher information, see NSAPCC.
AFREAW Advances in Food Research. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1-32, 1948-88.
AIHAAP American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. (AIHA, 475 Wolf Ledges Pkwy., Akron, OH 44311) V.19- 1958-
AIPTAK Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie. (Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium) V.4- 1898-
AJIMD8 American Journal of Industrial Medicine. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1980-
CALEDQ Cancer Letters (Shannon, Ireland). (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1975-
CNREA8 Cancer Research. (Public Ledger Building, Suit 816, 6th & Chestnut Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19106) V.1- 1941-
DTLVS* The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) booklet issues by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Cincinnati, OH, 1996
EMMUEG Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 1987-
ENDOAO Endocrinology (Baltimore). (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21203) V.1- 1917-
ESKGA2 Eisei Kagaku. Hygienic Chemistry. (Nippon Yakugakkai, 2-12-15 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150, Japan) V.1- 1953-
EVHPAZ EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt of Documents, Washington, DC 20402) No.1- 1972-
FCTOD7 Food and Chemical Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.20- 1982-
FEPRA7 Federation Proceedings, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-46, 1942-87.
HBTXAC "Handbook of Toxicology," 4 vols., Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 1956-59
IMEMDT IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. (WHO Publications Centre USA, 49 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210) V.1- 1972-
INHEAO Industrial Health. (National Institute of Industrial Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, 213 Japan) V.1- 1963-
IPSTB3 International Polymer Science and Technology. (Rapra Technology Ltd., Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK)
JAFCAU Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. (American Chemical Soc., Distribution Office Dept. 223, POB 57136, West End Stn., Washington, DC 20037) V.1- 1953-
JJCREP Japanese Journal of Cancer Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. BV, POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.76- 1985-
JJIND8 JNCI, Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Washington, DC) V.61-79, 1978-87. For publisher information, see JNCIEQ.
JTPAE7 Journal of Toxicologic Pathology. (Nihon Dokusei Byori Gakkai, editor, 3-25-8 Nishi- shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105, Japan) V.1- 1988
MOPMA3 Molecular Pharmacology. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1965-
MUREAV Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1964-
MUTAEX Mutagenesis. (Oxford Univ. Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford OX8 1JJ, UK) V.1- 1986-
NIOSH* National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda.
PAACA3 Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research. (Waverly Press, 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1954-
PHTOEH Pharmacology and Toxicology (Copenhagen). (Munksgaard International Pub., POB 2148, DK-1016 Copenhagen K, Denmark) V.60- 1987-
TJADAB Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968-
TPKVAL Toksikologiya Novykh Promyshlennykh Khimicheskikh Veshchestv. Toxicology of New Industrial Chemical Substances. For English translation, see TNICS*. (Izdatel'stvo Meditsina, Moscow, USSR) No.1- 1961-
VCVGK* "Vrednie chemichescie veshestva, galogen I kislorod sodergashie organicheskie soedinenia". (Hazardous substances. Galogen and oxygen containing substances), Bandman A.L. et al., Chimia, 1994.

Used as a chemical intermediate, pharmaceutical and veterinary drug

RTECS Compound Description:
   Agricultural Chemical
   Tumorigen
   Mutagen
   Reproductive Effector

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