o-Phthalaldehyde

Synonyms

Phtalaldehydes [French]; Phthalaldehyde; Phthalic aldehyde; Phthalic dialdehyde; Phthalyldicarboxaldehyde; o-Phthaldialdehyde; 1,2-Benzenedicarboxaldehyde; [ChemIDplus] Cidex OPA; [Merck Index] OPA; 1,2-Benzenedialdehyde; 1,2-Diformylbenzene; 1,2-Phthalaldehyde; 2-Formylbenzaldehyde; o-Benzenedicarbaldehyde; Benzenedicarboxaldehyde; OP 100S; OP 100SF; o-Phthalic aldehyde; Phthalic dicarboxaldehyde; Phtharal; [NTP] UN2923

Category

Benzaldehydes

Description

Pale yellow or colorless solid; [Merck Index] Yellow powder or lumps; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a disinfectant and in the fluorometric determination of primary amines and thiols; [Merck Index] Used to sterilize medical and dental equipment, as an enzyme inhibitor, indicator, chemical intermediate, diagnostic agent, tanning agent for leather, in water treatment, pulp and paper manufacturing, oil field water flooding, hair colorings, wood treatment, and antifouling paints; [NTP]

Comments

Similar properties and health effects to glutaraldehyde; [ACGIH] Severe gastrointestinal tract damage and hematological changes observed in 90-day oral study of rats; Delayed skeletal development observed in rats at doses maternally toxic; [NTP] Symptoms reported from occupational exposure to Cidex-OPA (aqueous solution containing 0.56% o-phthalaldehyde) include exacerbation of asthma, anaphylaxis, burns and/or irritation, and dermal hypersensitivity; [NTP] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; May cause skin sensitization; Toxic by ingestion; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] Occupational asthma confirmed in an endoscopy unit worker; [Malo] See "Benzaldehyde." See "2-Methylbenzaldehyde."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

TLV-Surface Limit = 25 ug/100 cm2

0.0001 ppm, vapor fraction

0.0052 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Corrosive solid, toxic, n.o.s."

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Dressing Hair
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Sterilizing Equipment
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides