1,4-Dioxane
Agent Name
1,4-Dioxane
Alternative Name
Diethylene dioxide
CAS Number
123-91-1
Formula
C4-H8-O2
Major Category
Solvents
Synonyms
1,4-Diethylene dioxide; 1,4-Dioxacyclohexane; 1,4-Dioxanne [French]; Di(ethylene oxide); Diethylene dioxide; Diethylene ether; Dioksan [Polish]; Diossano-1,4 [Italian]; Dioxaan-1,4 [Dutch]; Dioxan; Dioxan-1,4 [German]; Dioxane; Dioxane, technical grade; Dioxane-1,4; Dioxanne [French]; Dioxyethylene ether; Glycol ethylene ether; Glycolethylenether; NE 220; Tetrahydro-1,4-dioxin; Tetrahydro-p-dioxin; Tetrahydro-para-dioxin; p-Dioxan [Czech]; p-Dioxin, tetrahydro-; para-Dioxane; [ChemIDplus] UN1165
Category
Ethers (<C12)
Description
Colorless liquid or solid (below 53 degrees F) with a mild, ether-like odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent for cellulose esters, ethers, and other organic chemicals; [ACGIH] Used as a solvent in resins, polymers, oils, waxes, dyes, wood pulping, adhesives, varnishes lacquers, paints, and cosmetics; [HSDB]
Comments
Five workers in an artificial silk factory died as a result of severe kidney and liver damage after heavy exposures for 2 months; [ACGIH] [Allergic contact dermatitis from dioxane in a solvent for cleaning metal parts. Fregert S. Contact Dermatitis Newsletter. 1974. 15(438)] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
20 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
100 ppm
MAK
10 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
500 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Guinea pigs can tolerate 2,000 ppm by inhalation for several hours without serious symptoms; higher concentrations produced eye, nose, and lung irritation [Yant et al. 1930].
Vapor Pressure
38.1 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.8 ppm
Odor Threshold High
172 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 46,000 mg/m3/2 hr
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 12 ppm); Flash point = 18 deg C; VP from HSDB;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
NTP Carcinogen
Anticipated human carcinogen
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: