| Agent Name |
Hydroquinone |
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| Alternative Name |
Dihydroxybenzene |
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| CAS Number |
123-31-9 |
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| Formula |
C6-H6-O2 |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
1,4-Benzenediol; 1,4-Dihydroxy-benzeen [Dutch]; 1,4-Dihydroxy-benzol [German]; 1,4-Dihydroxybenzen [Czech]; 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene; 1,4-Diidrobenzene [Italian]; 4-Hydroxyphenol; Arctuvin; Benzene, p-dihydroxy-; Benzohydroquinone; Benzoquinol; Black and White Bleaching Cream; Derma-Blanch; Diak 5; Eldopaque; Eldopaque Forte; Eldoquin; Eldoquin Forte; HE 5; Hidroquinone; Hydrochinon [Czech, Polish]; Hydroquinol; Hydroquinole; Hydroquinone; Idrochinone [Italian]; Phiaquin; Pyrogentistic acid; Quinol; Solaquin Forte; Tecquinol; Tenox HQ; Tequinol; p-Benzenediol; p-Dihydroxybenzene; p-Dioxybenzene; p-Hydroquinone; p-Hydroxyphenol; para-Dihydroxybenzene; para-Dioxybenzene; para-Hydroquinone; [ChemIDplus] UN2662 |
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| Category |
Phenols |
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| Description |
Light-tan, light-gray, or colorless crystals; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in black and white photography development, as a stabilizer in paints and oils, and as a chemical intermediate. [ACGIH] Used as a photo developer, oil and fat antioxidant, chemical intermediate, topical medication, and inhibitor of vinyl acetate and acrylic polymerization; [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
Workers exposed to high concentrations developed corneal ulcers. [ACGIH] Animals exposed to lethal doses have convulsions and methemoglobinemia. [HSDB] Can cause leukoderma (depigmentation of skin); [LaDou, p. 283] Allergic contact dermatitis in photographers; [Marks] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in developers of photographs, x-rays, and microfilms; also reported in dental technicians; [Kanerva, p. 1156] Severe eye irritant; [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
Occupational dermatoses at a film laboratory. Follow-up after modernization |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
1 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
2 mg/m3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
50 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that 5 to 12 grams is the lethal oral dose [Zeidman and Deutel 1945]. [Note: An oral dose of 5 to 12 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to 3,333 to 8,000 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.] |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.00067 mm Hg |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 329 deg F; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Methemoglobinemia |
Methemoglobinemia, Secondary |
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| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: HYDROQUINONE
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