| Agent Name |
Nitrobenzene |
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| CAS Number |
98-95-3 |
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| Formula |
C6-H5-N-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Nitrogen Compounds |
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| Synonyms |
Essence of mirbane; Mirbane oil; Nitrobenzeen [Dutch]; Nitrobenzen [Polish]; Nitrobenzene; Nitrobenzol; Oil of mirbane; Oil of myrbane; p-Nitrobenzene; [ChemIDplus] UN1662 |
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| Category |
Nitros, Aromatic |
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| Description |
Yellow, oily liquid with a pungent odor like paste shoe polish. [Note: A solid below 42 degrees F.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the organic synthesis of aniline, benzidine, acetaminophen, and cellulose ethers and acetates; Also used in shoe and metal polishes and as a solvent; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Most cases of nitrobenzene-induced methemoglobinemia are probably mild. Severe methemoglobinemia and liver damage have been reported after occupational exposure. Anemia is the most common finding seen after chronic poisoning. Methemoglobinemia has been produced by inhalation of nitrobenzene at 5 ppm in animals and 6 ppm in humans. There is no evidence that dermal exposure in the industrial environment could induce significant methemoglobinemia. [ACGIH] In high-dose reproductive studies of animals, nitrobenzene causes testicular damage. [Frazier, p. 347] Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR ToxFAQs - Nitrobenzene |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Total p-nitrophenol in urine = 5 mg/g creatinine at end of shift at end of workweek; Methemoglobin in blood = 1.5% of hemoglobin at end of shift. [ACGIH] |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
1 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
200 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
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]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.24 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.07 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
1.9 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 556 ppm/4 hr |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.37 ppm); Flash point = 88 deg C; |
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| Half Life |
Whole body: 2 days; [TDR, p. 942] |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Primary |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NITROBENZENE
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