Butylated hydroxytoluene

Synonyms

2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol; Ionol CP-antioxidant; 1-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2,6-di-tert-butylbenzene; 2,6-Bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol; 2,6-Di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-Di-t-butyl-p-cresol; 2,6-Di-terc.butyl-p-kresol [Czech]; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-1-hydroxy-4-methylbenzene; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-cresol; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylhydroxybenzene; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol; 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-methylphenol; 3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene; 4-Hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyltoluene; 4-Methyl-2,6-di-terc. Butylfenol [Czech]; 4-Methyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol; 4-Methyl-2,6-tert-butylphenol; AO 29; AO 4; AO 4K; AOX 4; AOX 4K; Advastab 401; Agidol; Agidol 1; Alkofen BP; Antioxidant 264; Antioxidant 29; Antioxidant 30; Antioxidant 4; Antioxidant 4K; Antioxidant DBPC; Antioxidant KB; Antioxidant MPJ; Antioxidant T 501; Antox QT; Antrancine 8; BAT; BHT; BHT (food grade); BHT 264; BUKS; Butylated hydroxytoluene; Butylated hydroxytoluol; Butylhydroxytoluene; Butylohydroksytoluenu [Polish]; CAO 1; CAO 3; Catalin antioxydant 1; Catalin cao-3; Chemanox 11; DBPC; DBPC (technical grade); Dalpac; Deenax; Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol; Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (VAN); Di-tert-butyl-p-methylphenol; Dibunol; Dibutylated hydroxytoluene; Impruvol; Ionol; Ionol (antioxidant); Ionol 1; Ionol CP; Ionole; Kerabit; Nocrac 200; Nonox TBC; P 21; P21; Parabar 441; Paranox 441; Phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl-; Stavox; Sumilizer BHT; Sustane; Sustane BHT; Swanox BHT; Tenamen 3; Tenamene 3; Tenox BHT; Tonarol; Topanol; Topanol O; Topanol OC; Toxolan P; Vanlube PC; Vanlube PCX; Vianol; Vulkanox KB; o-Di-tert-butyl-p-methylphenol; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Preservatives

Description

White to pale-yellow, crystalline solid with a slight, phenolic odor; (food preservative); [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as an anti-oxidant in gasoline, oils, waxes, rubbers, paints, and plastics; purified forms are used as anti-oxidants in foods; [ACGIH] Used as an "anti-skinning agent in paints and inks"; [Merck Index] BHT is a preservative and anti-oxidant used in food, cosmetics, and medications. Industrial applications include: animal feeds, jet fuels, rubber, plastics, paints, and glues. [Marks, p. 138-9]

Comments

Permitted in food at levels up to 200 ppm; Despite its widespread use, BHT is a rare skin sensitizer; Percent positive patch test responses were 0.1% in a US series in 1992-4; Contact urticaria has been reported; [Marks, p. 138-9] May have effects on the liver; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor

10 mg/m3, inhalable fraction

0.01 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 260 deg F;

must be preheated

Yes

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

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Contact urticaria

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Feed Additives)
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Working with Glues and Adhesives