Agent Name |
1,4-Dioxane |
Alternative Name |
Diethylene dioxide |
CAS Number |
123-91-1 |
Formula |
C4-H8-O2 |
Major Category |
Solvents |
Synonyms |
1,4-Diethylene dioxide; 1,4-Dioxacyclohexane; 1,4-Dioxanne [French]; Di(ethylene oxide); Diethylene dioxide; Diethylene ether; Dioksan [Polish]; Diossano-1,4 [Italian]; Dioxaan-1,4 [Dutch]; Dioxan; Dioxan-1,4 [German]; Dioxane; Dioxane, technical grade; Dioxane-1,4; Dioxanne [French]; Dioxyethylene ether; Glycol ethylene ether; Glycolethylenether; NE 220; Tetrahydro-1,4-dioxin; Tetrahydro-p-dioxin; Tetrahydro-para-dioxin; p-Dioxan [Czech]; p-Dioxin, tetrahydro-; para-Dioxane; [ChemIDplus] UN1165 |
Category |
Ethers |
Description |
Colorless liquid or solid (below 53 degrees F) with a mild, ether-like odor; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent for cellulose esters, ethers, and other organic chemicals; [ACGIH] Used as a solvent in resins, polymers, oils, waxes, dyes, wood pulping, adhesives, varnishes lacquers, paints, and cosmetics; [HSDB] |
Comments |
Five workers in an artificial silk factory died as a result of severe kidney and liver damage after heavy exposures for 2 months; [ACGIH] [Allergic contact dermatitis from dioxane in a solvent for cleaning metal parts. Fregert S. Contact Dermatitis Newsletter. 1974. 15(438)] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
20 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) |
100 ppm |
MAK |
20 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
500 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Guinea pigs can tolerate 2,000 ppm by inhalation for several hours without serious symptoms; higher concentrations produced eye, nose, and lung irritation [Yant et al. 1930]. |
Vapor Pressure |
38.1 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.8 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
172 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 46,000 mg/m3/2 hr |
Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 12 ppm); Flash point = 18 deg C; |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
Adverse Effects |
Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
IARC Carcinogen |
Possible Carcinogen |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: 1,4-DIOXANE
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