Phenyl ether
Agent Name
Phenyl ether
Alternative Name
Diphenyl ether
CAS Number
101-84-8
Formula
C12-H10-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1,1'-Oxybis(benzene); Benzene, 1,1'-oxybis-; Benzene, phenoxy-; Biphenyl oxide; Chemcryl JK-EB; Diphenyl ether; Diphenyl oxide; Ether, diphenyl-; Geranium crystals; Oxybisbenzene; Oxydiphenyl; Phenoxybenzene; Phenyl oxide; [ChemIDplus] UN3077
Category
Other Aromatic Compounds
Description
Colorless, crystalline solid or liquid (above 82 degrees F) with a geranium-like odor; [NIOSH] Disagreeable odor; [ACGIH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a heat transfer medium, Dowtherm A, and as a chemical intermediate for surface active agents and lubricants; [ACGIH]
Comments
“ . . . industrial experience has shown no evidence that phenyl ether, either as liquid mist or vapor, was a human health hazard under ordinary conditions of manufacture, handling, or use.” Controlling workplace concentration below 1 ppm has been recommended to prevent the disagreeable odor and nausea in some workers. Damage to the liver and other organs has been documented in acute feeding studies of experimental animals; LD50 = 4 g/kg for rats and guinea pigs; [ACGIH] An irritant of the eyes and respiratory tract; [ICSC]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
1 ppm, vapor fraction
STEL (ACGIH)
2 ppm, vapor fraction
PEL (OSHA)
1 ppm
MAK
1 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
100 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Other animal data: Rats exposed to 20 ppm for 7 hours per day for 20 days exhibited only eye and nasal irritation [Hefner et al. 1975]. Human data: It has been reported that industrial experience has shown no evidence that phenyl ether, either as a liquid, mist, or vapor, is a health hazard under ordinary conditions of production and use; no overt systemic toxicity was found at concentrations that were not intolerably disagreeable [Clayton and Clayton 1981].
Vapor Pressure
0.0225 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.0012 ppm
Explanatory Notes
Reported odor threshold; [ACGIH] Flash point = 115 deg C; VP from HSDB;
NFPA
must be preheated
Adverse Effects
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.