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o-Cresol

RTECS #
GO6300000
CAS #
95-48-7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
June 2017
Molecular Weight
108.15
Molecular Formula
C7H8O
Synonyms
1-Hydroxy-2-methylbenzene
2-Cresol
2-Hydroxytoluene
2-Methylphenol
m-Cresol
o-Cresol (ACGIH:OSHA)
o-Cresylic acid
o-Hydroxytoluene
o-Kresol (German)
o-Methylphenol
o-Methylphenylol
o-Oxytoluene
Orthocresol
o-Toluol
Phenol, 2-methyl- (9CI)
RCRA waste number U052

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
sister chromatid exchangefibroblast/human8 mmol/LMUREAV 137,51,1984

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse 2.31 gm/kg (7D prior to copulation/21D pregnant)Reproductive: Maternal effects: ParturitionNTIS** #PB92-176890
oral/mouse 660 mg/kg (multigenerations)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)NTIS** #PB92-176890
oral/rat 19775 mg/kg (multigeneration)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat 50850 mg/kg (multigeneration)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Stillbirth
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat 4500 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rabbit 650 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHPV299 -,-,2002

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
skin/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 4800 mg/kg/12W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors
CNREA8 19,413,1959

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 179 mg/m3/2H85GMAT -,40,1982
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 179 mg/m3Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria
VCVGK* -,207,1994
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 29 mg/m3Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria
VCVGK* -,207,1994
intraperitoneal/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 360 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intraperitoneal/mouse lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kgRBPMAZ 22,1,1952
intraperitoneal/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 180 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intravenous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 80 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intravenous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 180 mg/kgJPETAB 80,233,1944
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 344 mg/kgGTPZAB 18(2),58,1974
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 344 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 940 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 940 mg/kgJPETAB 80,233,1944
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1350 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 890 mg/kgTXAPA9 42,417,1977
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 890 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Tetany
VCVGK* -,207,1994
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 620 mg/kgGTPZAB 18(2),58,1974
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 620 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Tetany
VCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/cat lowest published lethal dose: 55 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/frog lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1361,1935
subcutaneous/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 35 mg/kgEye: Miosis (pupilliary constriction)

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema
RMSRA6 15,561,1895
subcutaneous/mouse lowest published lethal dose: 410 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 450 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1361,1935
subcutaneous/rat lowest published lethal dose: 65 mg/kgEye: Miosis (pupilliary constriction)

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema
RMSRA6 15,561,1895
subcutaneous/rat lowest published lethal dose: 65 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/guinea pig lowest published toxic concentration: 9 mg/m3/4H/122D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,208,1994
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m3/2H/24D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,208,1994
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 9 mg/m3/4H/122D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,208,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m3/4H/40D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,208,1994
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 9 mg/m3/4H/122D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,208,1994
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic dose: 1169 mg/kg/28D- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weightETOCDK 5,713,1986
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 18480 mg/kg/28D- continuousKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weightNTIS** #PB92-176890
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 101 gm/kg/28D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
NTIS** PB92-174242
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 218 gm/kg/13W- continuousBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Endocrine: Changes in thymus weight

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight
NTIS** PB92-174242
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 54000 mg/kg/90D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 1680 mg/kg/28D- intermittentBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4550 mg/kg/13W- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 54600 mg/kg/13W- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 33750 mg/kg/90D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 6776 mg/kg/28D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 21 gm/kg/28D- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight
NTIS** PB92-174242
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 82 gm/kg/13W- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Endocrine: Changes in thymus weight
NTIS** PB92-174242

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 mg/m3 (inhal, vapor, skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,678,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFCTOD7 94,93,2016

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,61,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, EC-limit, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (45 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4.5 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 2 ppm (9 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 5 ppm (22 5 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO o-CRESOL-air10H time-weighted average 2.3 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 84364; Number of Industries 16; Total Number of Facilities 1707; Number of Occupations 24; Total Number of Employees Exposed 10985; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 483
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 84364; Number of Industries 26; Total Number of Facilities 1724; Number of Occupations 28; Total Number of Employees Exposed 14550

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Cresol (all isomers) and phenol, 2546
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1996: Volatile organic compound, 2549
NTP Toxicity studies, RPT# TOX-09, October 2000
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018