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Acetylene

RTECS #
AO9600000
CAS #
74-86-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
26.04
Molecular Formula
C2H2
Synonyms
Acetylen
Acetylene (ACGIH)
Ethine
Ethyne
Narcylen

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/Dog lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 850000 ppmBehavioral: General anesthetic

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation
HPV096 -,-,2003
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 20 pphBehavioral: Headache

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea
34ZIAG -,67,1969
inhalation/human Lowest published lethal concentration: 50 pph/5MTABIA2 3,231,1933
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 200000 ppm/4MPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Paresthesia

Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests
HPV096 -,-,2003
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) Lowest published lethal concentration: 50 pph/5MAEPPAE 138,65,1928
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 780000 ppm/15MBehavioral: General anestheticHPV096 -,-,2003
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 900000 ppm/2HBehavioral: General anesthetic

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
HPV096 -,-,2003

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Simple asphyxiantDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,34,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,577,1996

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARDASPHYXIANTS/GASESDTLWS* 3,8,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 1 ppm (14 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAAsphyxiant, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMAsphyxiant, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOSimple asphyxiant, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDSimple asphyxiant, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 1000 ppm (1080 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)simple asphyxiant - inert gas and vaporCFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)Simple asphyxiant - inert gas and vaporCFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)Simple asphyxiant - inert gas and vaporCFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ACETYLENE-airceiling concentration 2500 ppm/15MNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 03298; Number of Industries 41; Total Number of Facilities 2514; Number of Occupations 52; Total Number of Employees Exposed 48962; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 3072
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 03298; Number of Industries 341; Total Number of Facilities 85909; Number of Occupations 111; Total Number of Employees Exposed 704679

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018