Phenyl ether-biphenyl mixture (vapor)

May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)

CAS number: 8004–13–5

NIOSH REL: 1 ppm (7 mg/m3) TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 1 ppm (7 mg/m3) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: Not specifically listed

Description of substance: Colorless to straw-colored liquid or solid (below 54°F) with a disagreeable, aromatic odor.

LEL :. . Unknown

Original (SCP) IDLH*: No Evidence [*Note: “Effective” IDLH = 100 ppm — see discussion below.]

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: Patty [1963] reported that concentrations of the vapor of a phenyl ether-biphenyl mixture that are sufficiently high to cause toxic effects from a single exposure of up to 7 hours duration are not attainable [Dow]. For this draft technical standard, therefore, respirators have been selected on the basis of the assigned protection factor afforded by each device up to 100 ´ the OSHA PEL of 1 ppm (i.e., 100 ppm); only the “most protective” respirators are permitted for use in concentrations exceeding 100 ppm. High concentrations of the vapor are not likely to be encountered in the workplace because of the high boiling point and low vapor pressure of this material.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal dose data:

Species Reference Route LD50 (mg/kg) LDLo (mg/kg) Adjusted LD Derived value
Mouse

Rabbit

G. pig

Rat

Gig Tr Prof Zabol 1967

Izmerov et al. 1982

Izmerov et al. 1982

Marhold 1986

oral

oral

oral

oral

3,210

4,200

3,000

2,460

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-----

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3,178 ppm

4,158 ppm

2,970 ppm

2,436 ppm

318 ppm

416 ppm

297 ppm

243 ppm

Human data: Concentrations ranging from 7 to 10 ppm have caused burning of the eyes, irritation of the respiratory tract, and severe nausea [ILO 1971].

Revised IDLH: 10 ppm

Basis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for a phenyl ether-biphenyl vapor mixture is 10 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [ILO 1971]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers exposed to concentrations above 10 ppm.

REFERENCES:

1. Dow [?]. Unpublished data from the Dow Chemical Company, Biochemical Research Laboratory. [From Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1703.]

2. Gig Tr Prof Zabol [1967]; 13(4):42-44 (in Russian).

3. ILO [1971]. Diphenyl and derivatives. In: Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. 2nd ed. Vol. I (A-K). Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, pp. 391-392.

4. Izmerov NF, Sanotsky IV, Sidorov KK [1982]. Toxicometric parameters of industrial toxic chemicals under single exposure. Moscow, Russia: Centre of International Projects, GKNT, p. 61.

5. Marhold J [1986]. Prehled Prumyslove Toxikologie, Organicke Latky. Prague, Czechoslovakia: Avicenum, p. 271 (in Czechoslovakian).

6. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1703.

Page last reviewed: December 4, 2014