n-Amyl acetate

Synonyms

1-Pentanol acetate; 1-Pentyl acetate; Acetate d'amyle [French]; Acetic acid, amyl ester; Acetic acid, pentyl ester; Amyl acetate; Amyl acetic ester; Amyl acetic ether; Amylazetat [German]; Amylester kyseliny octove [Czech]; Banana oil; Birnenoel; Chlordantoin; Dymon SWH Wasp & Hornet Spray; Holiday Pet Repellent; Holiday Repellent Dust; Octan amylu [Polish]; Pear oil; Pent-acetate; Pent-acetate 28; Pentyl acetate; Prim-amyl acetate; Primary amyl acetate; n-Amyl acetate; n-Amyl acetate, normal; n-Amyl acetate, normal (natural); n-Pentyl acetate; n-Pentyl ethanoate; [ChemIDplus] UN1104

Category

Esters (<C12)

Description

Colorless liquid with a persistent banana-like odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a solvent for surface coatings, photographic films, nail polish, printing inks, and fabric finishes; also used as a flavoring agent, an odorant, a dry cleaning agent, and an insecticide; [ACGIH]

Comments

Esters may induce narcosis in animals, but workers' exposures are limited by irritating effects. See appendix in: [Dick RB, et al. Chemicals in the workplace: incorporating human neurobehavioral testing into the regulatory process. Am J Ind Med. 1998 May;33(5):439-53.] The pentyl acetates are sensory irritants in the work environment. At higher levels in animal experiments, they cause narcosis, hepatotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. 1-Pentyl acetate has low dermal toxicity, and Skin notation is not warranted. [ACGIH]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

50 ppm

100 ppm

100 ppm

50 ppm

1000 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH. . The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Browning [1965] that exposure to 4,000 ppm of a mixture of n-amyl acetate and isoamyl acetate produced complete loss of reflexes in rabbits within an hour [Koelsch 1912], and on the statement by Sax [1975] that 5,000 ppm n-amyl acetate produced deep narcosis in cats in 30 minutes. . . . Human data: Somnolence has been reported after exposure to 952 ppm for 30 minutes [Lehmann 1913].

3.5 mm Hg

0.0075 ppm

Odor Threshold High

7.3 ppm

1531 ppm

LC (rat) = 3,00 ppm/6h

Explanatory Notes

Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.052 ppm); Flash point = 91 deg F; VP from HSDB;

No reports found; [TDR, p. 95]

may ignite at ambient temp

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)