Mesitylene
Agent Name
Mesitylene
Alternative Name
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
CAS Number
108-67-8
Formula
C9-H12
Major Category
Solvents
Synonyms
3,5-Dimethyltoluene; Benzene, 1,3,5-trimethyl-; Fleet-X; TMB; Trimethylbenzol; sym-Trimethylbenzene; 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene; [ChemIDplus] UN2325
Category
Aromatic Solvents
Description
Colorless liquid; [ICSC]
Sources/Uses
Found in coal tar and petroleum crudes; [Merck Index] Used to make dyes and UV oxidation stabilizers for plastics; Also used as a solvent and paint thinner; [HSDB]
Comments
A skin, eye, nose, throat and respiratory tract irritant; [Merck Index] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Defats the skin; May have effects on the central nervous system and blood; [ICSC] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [HSDB] A nose, throat, and lung irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [CHEMINFO] A respiratory tract irritant; [eChemPortal: ESIS] See "Trimethyl benzene isomers."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
10 ppm
MAK
20 ppm
Vapor Pressure
2.48 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
2 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 24,000 mg/m3/4h
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold (recognition) from CHEMINFO; VP from ChemIDplus;
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: