Synonyms
Gum spirits of turpentine; Gum turpentine; Oil of turpentine; Oil of turpentine, distillation residue; Oil of turpentine, rectified; Spirit of turpentine; Spirits of turpentine; Sulfate turpentine; Terebenthine [French]; Terpentin oel [German]; Turpentine; Turpentine oil; Turpentine oil, rectified; Turpentine oil, rectifier; Turpentine spirits; Turpentine steam distilled; Turpentine, steam-distilled (Pinus spp.); Wood turpentine; [ChemIDplus] UN1299; UN1300
Description
Colorless liquid with a characteristic odor; [NIOSH] A mixture of terpenes (58-65%) that varies depending on the tree of origin; [ACGIH]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent for surface coatings, liniments, and perfumes; Used as an intermediate for camphor and menthol; Used less as a paint thinner since the 1940s; Used as a veterinary medication (expectorant, rubefacient, and antiseptic); [ACGIH]
Comments
In animal inhalation studies, intoxication is marked by ataxia, tremor, convulsions, and death. After exposures of 750 to 1000 ppm, human subjects complained of eye irritation, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Causes both irritant and allergic contact dermatitis; Oral lethal dose = 15-90 ml; Can cause chemical pneumonitis if aspirated; Liver enzymes are elevated in animals inhaling 300 ppm 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 4-8 weeks. [ACGIH] Turpentine is a common skin sensitizer in painters. [Marks, p. 273] The allergens in turpentine are hydroperoxides of delta-3-carene with higher concentrations in Indonesian than in Portuguese turpentine. [Kanerva, p. 1766] Acute tubular necrosis has been reported after heavy and repeated skin exposures to gasoline, turpentine, petroleum naphtha, and diesel oil. [Rosenstock, p. 577] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression and cardiac arrhythmias; A skin sensitizer; May cause effects on the bladder and kidneys; [ICSC] See "TERPENES."
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
No
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: Exposure of volunteers for several hours at 750 to 1,000 ppm resulted in irritation of the eyes, headache, dizziness, nausea, and acceleration of the pulse [Lehmann and Flury 1943]. The lethal concentration has been reported to be 1,878 ppm [Albaugh 1915].
Odor Threshold Low
100 ppm
Odor Threshold High
200 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 12,000 mg/m3/6H
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 35 deg C; VP = 1.9-5 mm Hg at 20 deg C; [HSDB)
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:
Activities
Activities with risk of exposure: