| Agent Name |
Biphenyl |
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| Alternative Name |
Diphenyl |
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| CAS Number |
92-52-4 |
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| Formula |
C12-H10 |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Phenylbenzene, 1,1'-Biphenyl; Diphenyl; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Category |
Other Aromatics |
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| Description |
Colorless to pale-yellow solid with a pleasant, characteristic odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a heat transfer fluid, intermediate for organic chemicals, and fungicide; [ACGIH] Also used as a dye carrier and a mold retardant in food; Low levels present in creosote and coal tar; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Comments |
After one worker died, studies in a Finnish paper mill showed air levels of 4.4 to 128 mg/m3 in 1959 and 0.6 to 123 mg/m3 in 1970. Nine case of poisoning were investigated and summarized as "central and peripheral nerve damage and liver injury." [ACGIH] Causes convulsions and paralysis in high-dose animal studies; [CAMEO] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.2 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.2 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) | 15.86 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been reported that one fatal case of liver necrosis with some areas of cirrhosis occurred in a worker who had been regularly exposed to vapor concentrations of approximately 100 mg/m3 [Hakkinen et al. 1973]. Other workers with repeated exposure to concentrations greater than 5 mg/m3 had gastrointestinal symptoms as well as polyneuritic complaints, with abnormalities of both the electroencephalogram and electromyogram [Hakkinen et al. 1973]. Some workers showed hepatic damage detected by liver function tests and biopsy [Hakkinen et al. 1973]. Workers exposed to concentrations ranging from 4.4 to 128 mg/m3 complained of the strong odor and irritation of the throat and eyes [Hakkinen et al. 1973]. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.005 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.01 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
0.05 ppm |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 235 deg F; [CHEMINFO] IDLH = 100 mg/m3 (15.86 ppm); |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Primary |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: BIPHENYL
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