Toluene, m-nitro-

RTECS #
XT2975000
CAS #
99-08-1
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
March 2019
Molecular Weight
137.15
Molecular Formula
C7H7NO2
Synonyms
1-Methyl-3-nitrobenzene
3-Methylnitrobenzene
3-Nitrotoluene
3-Nitrotoluol
Benzene, 1-methyl-3-nitro- (9CI)
meta-Nitrotoluol
m-Methylnitrobenzene
m-Nitrotoluene
m-Nitrotoluene (ACGIH:OSHA)
MNT
Nitrotoluene, meto-

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
skin /rabbit 580 mg/24H mildHPV285 -,-,2001

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
micronucleus testlung/hamster2500 µmol/L/6H (+enzymatic activation step)MUTAEX 26,709,2011
micronucleus testlung/hamster5000 µmol/L/48H (-enzymatic activation step)MUTAEX 26,709,2011
sister chromatid exchangeovary/hamster115 mg/LEMMUEG 10(Suppl 10),1,1987

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 31122 mg/kg (13W prior to copulation)Reproductive: Maternal effects: Menstrual cycle changes or disordersNTPTR* NIH-93-3346
oral/rat 60151 mg/kg (13W male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count)

Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct
NTPTR* NIH-93-3346

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 425 mg/m3Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration

Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia
GTPZAB 22(7),52,1978
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >157 ppm/4HHPV285 -,-,2001
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >2417 mg/m3/1HHPV285 -,-,2001
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >157 ppm/4HHPV285 -,-,2001
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >2417 mg/m3/1HHPV285 -,-,2001
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 693 mg/m3Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration

Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia
GTPZAB 22(7),52,1978
oral/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3600 mg/kgCHABA8 73,91015e,1970
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 330 mg/kgCHABA8 73,91015e,1970
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1750 mg/kgBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Liver: Fatty liver degeneration

Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia
GTPZAB 22(7),52,1978
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1070 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): >20000 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): >1157 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
unreported route/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3600 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
unreported route/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 330 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
unreported route/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1750 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1590 mg/kgHPV285 -,-,2001

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic concentration: 30 mg/m3/4H/17W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Proteinuria

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition
GTPZAB 22(7),52,1978
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 9191 mg/kg/13W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightHPV285 -,-,2001
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 68250 mg/kg/13W- intermittentBehavioral: Food intake (animal)

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 136500 mg/kg/13W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 67613 mg/kg/13W- continuousLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight
NTPTR* NIH-93-3346
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 5600 mg/kg/14D- intermittentEndocrine: Changes in thymus weight

Blood: Changes in other cell count (unspecified)
DCTODJ 17,359,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 31122 mg/kg/13W- continuousKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Blood: Changes in platelet count

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in testicular weight
NTPTR* NIH-93-3346
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 10000 mg/kg/4W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: DyspneaHPV285 -,-,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 20000 mg/kg/4W- intermittentBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 36000 mg/kg/24W- intermittentBlood: Other changes

Skin and Appendages: Other: Hair
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 4277 mg/kg/13W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes primarily in glomeruli

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 17108 mg/kg/13W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes primarily in glomeruli

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases
HPV285 -,-,2001
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 68250 mg/kg/13W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes primarily in glomeruli

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases
HPV285 -,-,2001

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 2 ppm (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 65,409,1996
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 65,409,1996
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMEMDT 65,409,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 23,271,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 60,120,2011

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
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 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 2 ppm (12 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 2 ppm (12 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 5 ppm (30 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 1 ppm (5.5 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 3 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 9 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 2 ppm (11 mg/m3), KZG-week 4 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 6 mg/m3, Skin, 2003
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (30 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 (30 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 (30 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (30 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 m-NITROTOLUENE-air10H time-weighted average 2 ppm (Sk)NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
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
NTP Toxicity studies, RPT# TOX-23, October 2000
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018