Agent Name |
Furfural |
CAS Number |
98-01-1 |
Formula |
C5-H4-O2 |
Major Category |
Other Classes |
Synonyms |
2-Formylfuran; 2-Formylofuran [Polish]; 2-Furaldehyde; 2-Furanaldehyde; 2-Furancarbonal; 2-Furancarboxaldehyde; 2-Furankarbaldehyd [Czech]; 2-Furfural; 2-Furfuraldehyde; 2-Furil-metanale [Italian]; 2-Furyl-methanal; 2-Furylaldehyde; 2-Furylcarboxaldehyde; Ant Oil, artificial; Artificial ant oil; Artificial oil of ants; Bran oil; Fural; Furaldehyde; Furale; Furancarbonal; Furfural; Furfural (natural); Furfuraldehyde; Furfurale [Italian]; Furfurol; Furfurole; Furfurylaldehyde; Furol; Furole; Furyl-methanal; Pyromucic aldehyde; Quakeral; [ChemIDplus] UN1199 |
Category |
Aldehydes |
Description |
Colorless to amber liquid with an almond-like odor. [Note: Darkens in light and air.]; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used in solvent extraction in petroleum refining; used as a solvent for rubber cements, resins, and dyes; also used as a flavoring agent and chemical intermediate; [HSDB] Used in high concentrations as a herbicide and fungicide; [ACGIH] |
Comments |
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] At concentrations of 1.9 to 14 ppm, vapor can cause weeping of the eyes. [HSDB] An irritant and CNS depressant; Dogs exposed for four weeks at 130 ppm have liver damage. [ACGIH] An irritant that defats the skin and may injure the liver; [ICSC] Causes seizures and paralysis in high-dose animal studies; [ChemIDplus] Vapor is eye and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO] |
Restricted |
No longer contained in any registered pesticide products in the United States; [HSDB] |
Exposure Assessment |
BEI |
Furoic acid in urine = 200 mg/L at end of shift; |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
2 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
5 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
100 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Widespread eye and respiratory tract irritation has been noted in workers exposed to concentrations ranging from 5 to 16 ppm [Apol and Lucas 1975]. Headaches, itching of the throat, and red and weeping eyes have occurred at concentrations ranging from 1.9 to 14 ppm [Korenman and Resnik 1930]. |
Vapor Pressure |
2 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.002 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
0.63 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 175 ppm/6H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 60 deg C; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
Adverse Effects |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: FURFURAL
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