Ethyl benzene

Synonyms

Ethylbenzene; Ethylbenzol; Phenylethane; Ethylbenzol; [ChemIDplus] UN1175

Category

Aromatic Solvents

Description

Colorless liquid with an aromatic odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a solvent and an intermediate in the production of styrene (90%) and other organic chemicals; The general population may be exposed after contact with gasoline, automobile emissions, domestic products containing solvents, and cigarette smoke. [ACGIH] Used as a solvent for resins and coatings; [HSDB]

Comments

Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure. [CHRIS] Mild irritation but no corneal injury after instillation of 2 drops into rabbit eye; Rats with inhalation exposure to 400 ppm (but not 300 ppm) eight hours per day for five days had increased auditory thresholds and loss of cochlear hair cells; Mild liver toxicity observed in animal inhalation studies; Causes CNS depression in lethal concentration studies; When exposed at 1000 ppm, humans have profuse lacrimation. 2021 ACGIH Basis: irritation of upper respiratory tract, eye irritation, ototoxicity, kidney effects and CNS impairment; [ACGIH]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Sum of Mandelic and Phenylglyoxylic acids in urine = 150 mg/g creatinine at end of shift; Ns (Nonspecific determinants--also present after exposure to styrene;) [TLVs and BEIs]

No

20 ppm

100 ppm

20 ppm

800 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Human data: Dizziness was caused in one volunteer after a 5­minute exposure to 2,000 ppm [Yant et al. 1930].

9.6 mm Hg

0.09 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.6 ppm

1430 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 4,000 ppm/4H

Explanatory Notes

IDLH = 10% LEL (lower explosive limit); Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = 12.8 deg C; VP from HSDB;

Whole body: biphasic with initial of 3.1 hours and slower phase of 25 hours; [TDR, p. 631]

Reference Link #2

may ignite at ambient temp

Yes

Acute solvent syndrome

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Possible (2b)

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, chronic solvent
• Solvents, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Solvents)
• Plastic Composites Manufacturing

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Smoking cigarettes