Hydroquinone

Synonyms

1,4-Benzenediol; 1,4-Dihydroxy-benzeen [Dutch]; 1,4-Dihydroxy-benzol [German]; 1,4-Dihydroxybenzen [Czech]; 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene; 1,4-Diidrobenzene [Italian]; 4-Hydroxyphenol; Arctuvin; Benzene, p-dihydroxy-; Benzohydroquinone; Benzoquinol; Black and White Bleaching Cream; Derma-Blanch; Diak 5; Eldopaque; Eldopaque Forte; Eldoquin; Eldoquin Forte; HE 5; Hidroquinone; Hydrochinon [Czech, Polish]; Hydroquinol; Hydroquinole; Hydroquinone; Idrochinone [Italian]; Phiaquin; Pyrogentistic acid; Quinol; Solaquin Forte; Tecquinol; Tenox HQ; Tequinol; p-Benzenediol; p-Dihydroxybenzene; p-Dioxybenzene; p-Hydroquinone; p-Hydroxyphenol; para-Dihydroxybenzene; para-Dioxybenzene; para-Hydroquinone; [ChemIDplus] UN2662

Category

Phenols

Description

Light-tan, light-gray, or colorless crystals; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a developer (photographic & lithographic), stabilizer in paints and oils, polymerization inhibitor, and chemical intermediate. [ACGIH] Used as a photo developer, oil and fat antioxidant, chemical intermediate, topical medication, and inhibitor of vinyl acetate and acrylic polymerization; [HSDB]

Comments

Workers exposed to high concentrations developed corneal ulcers. [ACGIH] Animals exposed to lethal doses have convulsions and methemoglobinemia. [HSDB] Can cause leukoderma (depigmentation of skin); [LaDou, p. 328] Allergic contact dermatitis in photographers; [Marks] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in developers of photographs, x-rays, and microfilms; also reported in dental technicians; [Kanerva, p. 1802] Severe eye irritant; [ICSC] Induces genetic damage in germ cells of humans or animals (3A); [MAK]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1 mg/m3

2 mg/m3

50 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: It has been reported that 5 to 12 grams is the lethal oral dose [Zeidman and Deutel 1945]. [Note: An oral dose of 5 to 12 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to 3,333 to 8,000 mg/m3 for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

1.9E-05 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 329 deg F; VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

must be preheated

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Not classifiable

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing