Agent Name
Cresol, all isomers
CAS Number
1319-77-3; 95-48-7; 106-44-5; 108-39-4
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Crysylol; Tricresol; Cresol (All Isomers); Cresylic acid; Cresol (mixed isomers); Mixed cresols; m-,p-cresol mixture; Hydroxytoluene; Coal tar acids; Coal tar cresols; Coal tar phenols;[ChemFinder]
Description
Colorless or yellow crystals or liquid with a sweet tarry odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as an ore flotation agent, disinfectant, and fumigant; an intermediate for chemicals, resins, dyes, photographic developers, explosives, etc.; [ACGIH] Used in degreasing, disinfecting, and photo developing; [HSDB]
Comments
Liquid or crystals cause second degree burns after contact for a few minutes; [CHRIS]; Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] Eye contact with concentrated solutions causes permanent corneal opacification. A drop of a 33% solution applied to rabbits eyes and removed by irrigation within 1 minute causes only temporary, moderate injury. [ACGIH] Liver injury and methemoglobinemia have been reported after suicidal ingestions. [HSDB]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
20 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Other animal data: Rats exposed to a saturated concentration of cresol vapors (about 150 to 380 ppm) survived the exposure for 8 hours [Smyth 1956]. \
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
Vapor Pressure
0.17 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
5E-05 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.0079 ppm
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold for m-cresol from AIHA (mean = 0.0006 ppm); VP = 0.11 to 0.299 mm Hg at 25 deg C; [HSDB]
Half Life
Within 1-2 days; [TDR, p. 412]
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: