3-t-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole

Synonyms

2(3)-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole; 2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-methoxy-phenol; 2-tert-Butyl-4-methoxyphenol; 3-BHA; 3-Tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole; 3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole; 4-Methoxy-2-tert-butylphenol; Butylated hydroxyanisole I (D); Phenol, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxy-; Phenol, 2-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Preservatives

Description

Faintly beige fine plates; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as a food additive (oxidation inhibitor); [HSDB] Used as preservative in foods, cosmetics, topical medications, animal feeds, rubber, plastics, pints, and glues; [Marks, p. 139]

Comments

Permitted in food at levels up to 200 ppm; Despite widespread use, allergic contact dermatitis is rare. Percent positive patch test responses were 0.2% in a US series in 1992-4; Contact urticaria has been reported; [Marks, p. 138-9] Commercial BHA is usually an 85:15 mixture of 3-t-butyl- and 2-t-butyl-isomers; [HSDB] May cause skin sensitization; [eChemPortal: ERMA] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Contact urticaria

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Feed Additives)