Butane

RTECS #
EJ4200000
CAS #
106-97-8
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
April 2015
Molecular Weight
58.14
Molecular Formula
C4H10
Synonyms
Butane (ACGIH)
Butanen (Dutch)
Butani (Italian)
Diethyl
Methylethylmethane
n-Butane

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 280 mg/m3Brain and Coverings: Changes in surface EEGVCVGH* -,26,1990
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 680000 mg/m3/2HHPV330 -,-,2000
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (16 percent kill): 530000 mg/m3/2HVCVGH* -,26,1990
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (84 percent kill): 860000 mg/m3/2HVCVGH* -,26,1990
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (16 percent kill): 537000 mg/m3/4HVCVGH* -,26,1990
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (84 percent kill): 790000 mg/m3/4HVCVGH* -,26,1990
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 658000 mg/m3/4HHPV330 -,-,2000

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-short term exposure limit 1000 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 566,21,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,355,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,577,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 681,241,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAIRMJ* 20,8,2001
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNCLNA* 16,503,1998
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 762,76,2014

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3)DTLWS* 3,12,1973
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 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 1000 ppm ( mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 2350 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 9400 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 250 ppm (600 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 800 ppm (1902 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDtime-weighted average 1900 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 3000 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 300 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 900 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 800 ppm (1900 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 1430 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 600 ppm (1450 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 750 ppm (1810 mg/m3), OCT2007

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO BUTANE-air10H time-weighted average 800 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 13480; Number of Industries 307; Total Number of Facilities 69613; Number of Occupations 200; Total Number of Employees Exposed 988880; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 186786
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 13480; Number of Industries 55; Total Number of Facilities 5871; Number of Occupations 53; Total Number of Employees Exposed 61958

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
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018