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Methylcyclohexane Chemical Sampling Information
Methylcyclohexane

General Description
    Synonyms: Cyclohexylmethane; Hexahydrotoluene

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1740

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 108-87-2

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: GV6125000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2296 128 [27 KB PDF]

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Methylcyclohexane: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 500 ppm, 2000 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 500 ppm, 2000 mg/m3 TWA

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 500 ppm, 2000 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 400 ppm, 1610 mg/m3 TWA

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 400 ppm, 1600 mg/m3 TWA
Health Factors
    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 1,200 ppm [LEL]

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; dizziness, drowsiness; in animals: narcosis; chemical pneumonia (by aspiration of liquid); INGES. ACUTE: Nausea.

    Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Mild (HE16); Narcosis (HE8)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS

    Notes:
    1. Vapor/air mixtures may be explosive. NIOSH’s IDLH is 10% of the lower explosive limit of methylcyclohexane.
    2. The urinary metabolites of orally administered methylcyclohexane in rabbits and rats are glucuronide conjugates of several hydroxylated derivatives. The most common metabolite in the rabbit is trans-4-methylcyclohexanol, and the most common in the rat is 2(trans)-hydroxy-4(cis)-methylcyclohexanol.
    3. The amount of methylcyclohexane in JP-4 jet fuel (>7%) is much greater than in automotive gasoline (0.46-0.58 %).

    Date Last Revised: 06/21/2006

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Methylcyclohexane.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methylcyclohexane.
    • Elliott, T.H., Tao, R.C.C. and Williams, R.T.: The metabolism of methylcyclohexane. Biochem. J. 95: 70-76, 1965.
    • Parnell, M.J., Henningsen, G.M., Hixson, C.J., Yu, K.O., McDonald, G.A. and Serve, M.P.: The metabolism of methylcyclohexane in Fischer 344 rats. Chemosphere 17(7): 1321-1327, 1988.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Methylcyclohexane. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1546-1547.
    • No author: Identifying hydrocarbons. In, Forensics Primer: An Introduction to Environmental Forensic Geochemistry. ZymaX Forensics, Division of ZymaX™ Envirotechnology, Inc.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
      analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
      maximum volume: 4 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1500) [128 KB, PDF]
      method classification: Fully Validated
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Page last updated: 07/12/2007

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