September 1995 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Nitrophenols |
(Nitrofenoles) |
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CAS#
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2-Nitrophenol 88-75-5 |
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4-Nitrophenol 100-02-7 |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about nitrophenols. For more information,
you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737.
This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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SUMMARY: Everyone is exposed
to very low levels of the nitrophenols in air, water,
and soil. Workers who make or process the chemicals may
be exposed to higher levels of them. Animal studies suggest
that 4-nitrophenol may cause a blood disorder. These chemicals
have been found in at least 113 of 1,416 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency. |
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What
are nitrophenols? |
Nitrophenols include two chemicals, 2-nitrophenol
and 4-nitrophenol, which are very similar to each other. They
are manufactured chemicals that do not occur naturally in
the environment. The manufacture of one almost always produces
a little of the other, so they are grouped together when discussing
their properties and harmful effects.
2-Nitrophenol is a light yellow solid
with a peculiar sweet smell. 4-Nitrophenol is a colorless
to light yellow solid with very little odor.
2-Nitrophenol is used mainly to make
dyes, paint coloring, rubber chemicals, and substances that
kill molds. 4-Nitrophenol is used mainly to make drugs, fungicides,
dyes, and to darken leather.
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What
happens to nitrophenols when they enter the environment? |
- Most nitrophenols enter the environment during manufacturing
and processing.
- Nitrophenols can be formed in the air as a result of the
breakdown of many other manufactured chemicals.
- Most goes to water and soil; little goes to the air.
- Very little is known about the fate of nitrophenols in
air.
- They readily break down in surface water.
- It takes a long time for nitrophenols to break down in
deep soil and in groundwater.
- Nitrophenols have not been found in foods.
- They are a breakdown product of other pesticides including
parathion and fluoridifen. They are also formed in auto
exhaust.
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How
might I be exposed to nitrophenols? |
- Exposure to very low levels of nitrophenols in air, water,
and soil.
- Breathing contaminated workplace air with higher levels
of the chemicals (especially during spills).
- Breathing contaminated air (during application) or drinking
contaminated water near farming areas where certain fungicides
are used.
- Breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water
near waste sites and landfills.
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How
can nitrophenols affect my health? |
There are no studies that have looked
at the effects of the nitrophenols in people. All our information
comes from studies in animals. Some studies in animals have
shown that 4-nitrophenol is more harmful than 2-nitrophenol
when given in high amounts over a short time, but we have
very little other information on the effects from longer time
exposures at lower levels.
Rats that breathed moderate levels of
4-nitrophenol for two weeks developed a blood disorder that
reduced the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to tissues
and organs. However, these abnormalities disappeared a few
days after exposure stopped. No other harmful effects to other
systems or organs were seen.
Skin irritation has been noted in animals
that had large amounts of 4-nitrophenol applied to their skin,
and eye irritation when it was applied to the eye. These effects
are most likely due to the large amount used and not to a
specific harmful effect of nitrophenols.
No birth defects were seen in the offspring
of animals that ingested large quantities of 4-nitrophenol.
There is no information from animal studies on the effects
of ingesting low levels of nitrophenols.
The amounts given to animals that produce
the harmful effects are several hundred to several thousand
times higher than those people are generally exposed to.
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How
likely are nitrophenols to cause cancer? |
The Department of Health and Human Services,
the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified the nitrophenols
as to their human carcinogenicity.
An animal study found no evidence of
cancer when 4-nitrophenol was applied to the skin of mice,
and no studies in people are available.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to nitrophenols? |
There is a medical test available to
measure levels of 4-nitrophenol in urine and blood. However,
this test will only detect the chemical when exposure has
been very recent because 4-nitrophenol leaves the body through
the urine within a few hours.
Other chemicals can produce the same
effects on the blood as 4-nitrophenol, so it is not possible
to tell from the blood test whether the exposure was from
4-nitrophenol only.
No tests are available to measure exposure
to 2-nitrophenol.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA requires that discharges or accidental
spills into the environment of 100 pounds or more of the nitrophenols
be reported.
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Glossary |
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
Fungicide: Substance that kills molds.
Ingesting: Taking food or drink into
your body.
Short time: Lasting 14 days or less.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1992. Toxicological Profile for nitrophenols. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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