Pyrocatechol

RTECS #

UX1050000

CAS #

120-80-9
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

December 2018

Molecular Weight

110.12

Molecular Formula

C₆H₆O₂

Synonyms

1,2-Benzenediol
1,2-Dihydroxybenzene
2-Hydroxyphenol
Benzene, o-dihydroxy-
C.I. 76500
C.I. Oxidation Base 26
Catechin (phenol)
Catechol
Catechol (ACGIH)
Catechol (phenol)
Durafur developer C
Fouramine PCH
Fourrine 68
Katechol (Czech)
NCI-C55856
o-Benzenediol
o-Dihydroxybenzene
o-Dioxybenzene
o-Diphenol
o-Hydroquinone
o-Hydroxyphenol
o-Phenylenediol
Oxyphenic acid
Pelagol Grey C
Phthalhydroquinone
Pyrocatechin
Pyrocatechine
Pyrokatechin (Czech)

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
Cytogenetic Analysis	embryo/hamster	3 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997
Cytogenetic Analysis	ovary/hamster	50 mg/L	CALEDQ 14,251,1981
Cytogenetic Analysis	ovary/hamster	25 µmol/L/4H	MUREAV 661,57,2009
Cytogenetic Analysis	lung/hamster	60 µmol/L/2H	MUREAV 540,29,2003
DNA Damage	ovary/hamster	1 µmol/L/3H	MUREAV 661,57,2009
DNA Damage	other cell types/mouse	0.25 mmol/L/3H	JOETD7 155,599,2014
DNA Damage	lymphocyte/human	100 µmol/L	EMMUEG 26,305,1995
DNA Damage	/Other microorganisms	10 mmol/L	MUREAV 368,235,1996
DNA Damage	liver/rat	3 mmol/L	CALEDQ 63,47,1992
DNA Damage	lymphocyte/mouse	500 µmol/L	MUREAV 203,155,1988
DNA inhibition	lymphocyte/mouse	250 µmol/L	MOPMA3 28,560,1985
DNA inhibition	HeLa cell/human	200 µmol/L	MUREAV 92,427,1982
DNA repair	/Bacillus subtilis	500 mg/L	ESKGA2 32,171,1986
gene conversion and mitotic recombination	/Saccharomyes cerevisiae	300 mg/L	MUREAV 135,109,1984
gene conversion and mitotic recombination	/Aspergillus nidulans	10 mmol/L	MUTAEX 2,235,1987
micronucleus test	oral/mouse	40 mg/kg	MUREAV 208,61,1988
micronucleus test	intraperitoneal/mouse	10 mg/kg	MUREAV 341,29,1994
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	156 µmol/L/6H (+enzymatic activation step)	MUTAEX 26,709,2011
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	78 µmol/L/6H (-enzymatic activation step)	MUTAEX 26,709,2011
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	20 µmol/L/24H (-enzymatic activation step)	MUTAEX 26,709,2011
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	4.7 µmol/L/48H (-enzymatic activation step)	MUTAEX 26,709,2011
micronucleus test	ovary/hamster	22.2 µmol/L/24H (-enzymatic activation step)	MUREAV 751,1,2013
micronucleus test	ovary/hamster	200 µmol/L/3H (+enzymatic activation step)	MUREAV 751,1,2013
micronucleus test	fibroblast/hamster	20 µmol/L/48H	MUREAV 770,37,2014
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	10 µmol/L/12H	MUREAV 808,27,2016
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	25 µmol/L	EVHPAZ 82,81,1989
micronucleus test	lung/hamster	20 µmol/L/6H	MUREAV 808,27,2016
micronucleus test	ovary/hamster	10 µmol/L/4H	MUREAV 661,57,2009
morphological transform	other cell types/mouse	0.25 mg/L/12D	MUREAV 557,191,2004
morphological transform	embryo/hamster	1 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997
mutation in mammalian somatic cells	embryo/hamster	10 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997
mutation in mammalian somatic cells	lymphocyte/mouse	2500 µg/L	EMMUEG 11,523,1988
mutation in microorganisms	/Salmonella typhimurium	15 µmol/plate (+enzymatic activation step)	PAACA3 20,117,1979
mutation in microorganisms	/Salmonella typhimurium	4 µg/plate (-enzymatic activation step)	ABCHA6 45,327,1981
mutation in microorganisms	/Escherichia coli	2 mg/plate (-enzymatic activation step)	MUREAV 467,41,2000
mutation in microorganisms	/Saccharomyes cerevisiae	599 mg/L/16H	MUTAEX 20,105,2004
other mutation test systems	lymphocyte/human	40 µmol/L	CNREA8 40,1189,1980
other mutation test systems	bone marrow/rabbit	2 mmol/L	AJIMD8 7,485,1985
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	embryo/hamster	30 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997
sister chromatid exchange	lung/hamster	12500 nmol/L	EVHPAZ 82,81,1989
sister chromatid exchange	embryo/hamster	10 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997
sister chromatid exchange	lymphocyte/human	40 µmol/L	CNREA8 40,1189,1980
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	oral/rat	1 gm/kg	JJIND8 74,1283,1985
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis	embryo/hamster	1 µmol/L	MUREAV 373,113,1997

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
oral/rat	1 gm/kg (11D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)	TJADAB 41,43,1990
subcutaneous/rat	5 mg/kg (1D prior to copulation)	Reproductive: Maternal effects: Ovaries, fallopian tubes	ENDOAO 57,466,1955

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 645 gm/kg/96W- continuous	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JJCREP 81,207,1990
oral/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 3696 mg/kg/44W- continuous	Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria Tumorigenic: Facilitates action of known carcinogens Gastrointestinal: Tumors	CALEDQ 139,167,1999
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 7854 mg/kg/34W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 102648 mg/kg/104W- intermittent	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 437 gm/kg/2Y- continuous	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JJCREP 81,207,1990
oral/rat	toxic dose: 60640 mg/kg/24W- continuous	Tumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JJCREP 77,854,1986
oral/rat	toxic dose: 349 gm/kg/2Y- continuous	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	FCTOD7 33,93,1995
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 171 gm/kg/51W- continuous	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	JJCREP 85,17,1994

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/Human, endothelium	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 10 µmol/L/30M	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	PYTOEY 19,245,2012
In Vitro/Human, erythrocytes	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 100 mg/L/1H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Hemolysis in vitro In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	FCTOD7 49,2202,2011
In Vitro/Human, melanoma	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 100 mg/L/1H	Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases	FCTOD7 50,2123,2012
In Vitro/jzx	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (dye exclusion): trypan blue assay etc. In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Apoptosis in vitro In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TXCYAC 271,107,2010
In Vitro/Rat, endocrine tumor	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 5.32 µmol/L	Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Dopamine at other sites	FCTOD7 50,390,2012
intraperitoneal/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 150 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
intraperitoneal/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 150 mg/kg		HBTXAC 1,62,1955
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 68 mg/kg		PHTOEH 64,247,1989
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 190 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
intravenous/cat	lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
intravenous/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 40 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
intravenous/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 40 mg/kg		HBTXAC 1,62,1955
oral/cat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg		IPSTB3 3,93,1976
oral/Dog	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 130 mg/kg		IPSTB3 3,93,1976
oral/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 130 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral/guinea pig	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 210 mg/kg		AFREAW 3,197,1951
oral/mammal (species unspecified)	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 240 mg/kg	Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay) Behavioral: Muscle contraction or spasticity Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	TPKVAL 15,136,1979
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 260 mg/kg		AFREAW 3,197,1951
oral/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg	Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex) Blood: Luekopenia Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia	38MKAJ 2A,2585,1981
oral/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 1000 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3890 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 48 mg/kg	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve	TPKVAL 15,136,1979
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 260 mg/kg		AFREAW 3,197,1951
parenteral/frog	lowest published lethal dose: 160 mg/kg	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold	AEPPAE 166,437,1932
skin/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 800 mg/kg	Skin: After topical application: Primary irritation Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	AIHAAP 37,596,1976
skin/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 800 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous/frog	lowest published lethal dose: 160 mg/kg		HBTXAC 1,62,1955
subcutaneous/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg		HBTXAC 1,62,1955
subcutaneous/guinea pig	lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 247 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994
subcutaneous/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 247 mg/kg		INHEAO 5,143,1967
subcutaneous/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 225 mg/kg		JAFCAU 17,497,1969
subcutaneous/rat	lowest published lethal dose: 110 mg/kg		AIPTAK 176,193,1968
subcutaneous/rat	lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVGK* -,224,1994

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
intraperitoneal/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 450 mg/kg/3D- intermittent	Blood: Changes in bone marrow not included in above Blood: Changes in spleen	VCVGK* -,225,1994
intravenous/mouse	lowest published toxic dose: 450 mg/kg/3D- intermittent	Blood: Changes in bone marrow not included in above Blood: Changes in spleen	VCVGK* -,225,1994
oral/chicken	lowest published toxic dose: 98 gm/kg/4W- intermittent	Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field	FEPRA7 29,568,1970
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 15470 mg/kg/34W- intermittent	Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)	JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 2226 mg/kg/7D- intermittent	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	JTPAE7 29,180,2001
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 360 mg/kg/5D- intermittent	Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other oxidoreductases Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Lipids including transport	PHREP* 57,70,2005

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 5 ppm (skin)	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed animal carcinogen	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Sufficient Evidence	IMEMDT 71,433,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate Evidence	IMEMDT 15,155,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human No Adequate Data	IMEMDT 15,155,1977
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Human No Adequate Data	IMEMDT 71,433,1999
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)	Cancer Review:Group 2B	IMEMDT 71,433,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 566,99,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 567,227,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 567,109,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 567,151,2004
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 627,10,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 584,1,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		BCLPT* 96,131,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 682,94,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUTAEX 23,271,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FITOT* 82,513,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 721,27,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 55,596,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		EMMUEG 55,679,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 802,1,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 94,93,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 55,43,2009

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	MAK-TMW 4.5 ppm (20 mg/m³);KZW 9 ppm (40 mg/m³), inhal, skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³), carc, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (45 mg/m³), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VME 5 ppm (20 mg/m³), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	2B carc, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³) (skin), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	short term exposure limit 0.5 mg/m³, Skin, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 5 ppm (20 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 10 ppm (40 mg/m³), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), inhal, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 20 mg/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 5 ppm (23 mg/m³), OCT2007

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CATECHOL-air	10H time-weighted average 5 ppm (Sk)	NIOSH* DHHS #95-121,1995
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code M1763; Number of Industries 8; Total Number of Facilities 700; Number of Occupations 15; Total Number of Employees Exposed 13516; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 5799
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code M1763; Number of Industries 4; Total Number of Facilities 147; Number of Occupations 6; Total Number of Employees Exposed 642

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
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
On EPA IRIS database

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health