alpha-Methyl styrene

Synonyms

1-Methyl-1-phenylethene; 1-Methyl-1-phenylethylene; 1-MethylethenylBenzine; 1-Methylethylenebenzene; 1-Phenyl-1-methylethylene; 1-Propene, 2-phenyl-; 2-Phenyl-1-propene; 2-Phenylpropene; 2-Phenylpropylene; Benzene, (1-methylethenyl)-;Isopropenil-benzolo [Italian]; Isopropenyl-benzeen [Dutch]; Isopropenyl-benzol [German]; Isopropenylbenzene; alpha-Methyl-styrol [German]; alpha-Methylstyreen [Dutch]; alpha-Methylstyrene; alpha-Methylstyrol; alpha-Metil-stirolo [Italian]; as-Methylphenylethylene; beta-Phenylpropene; beta-Phenylpropylene; [ChemIDplus] UN2303; UN1993

Category

Styrenes

Description

Colorless liquid with a characteristic odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a polymerization monomer; [ACGIH]

Comments

Human subjects complained of an unpleasant odor and mild eye irritation. CNS depression possible after absorption of sufficient dose; TLV Basis: Irritation; Kidney & female reproductive damage; [ACGIH] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Causes lachrymation; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

10 ppm

Ceiling(OSHA) = 100 ppm

50 ppm

700 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: A considerable number of rats and guinea pigs exposed to 3,000 ppm for 7 to 8 hours/day, 5 days/week for up to 6 months died [Gerarde 1960; Wolf et al. 1956]. Rats and guinea pigs had slight changes in liver and kidney weights and some reduction in body weight following exposure to 800 ppm for 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 27 days [Wolf et al. 1956]. No adverse effects were noted in rats, rabbits, mice, monkeys, and guinea pigs exposed 7 hours/day, 5 days/week for 5 months to 200 ppm [Wolf et al. 1956]. . . . Human data: Four volunteers reported a definite unpleasant odor and slight eye irritation after about 2 minutes of exposure to 200 ppm [Wolf et al. 1956]. Strong eye and nasal irritation has been noted at concentrations above 600 ppm [Gerarde 1960; Wolf et al. 1956].

1.9 mm Hg

0.052 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.16 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 3,000 ppm

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold (detection at 0.052 ppm and recognition at 0.16 ppm) from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 84 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Yes

Acute solvent syndrome

Yes

Possible (2b)

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Solvents, acute toxic effect