NIOSH logo and tagline

Turpentine

RTECS #
YO8400000
CAS #
8006-64-2; 8052-40-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
N/R
Molecular Formula
N/R
Synonyms
Essential oils, turpentine
G 4134
Gum spirits of turpentine
Gum turpentine
Oil of turpentine
Oil of turpentine, rectified
Spirit of turpentine
Spirits of turpentine
Terebenthine (French)
Terpentin oel (German)
Turpentine (ACGIH:OSHA)
Turpentine oil
Turpentine oil, rectifier
Turpentine steam distilled
Wood turpentine

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /human 175 ppmJIHTAB 25,282,1943
skin /human 0.1% severeBJDEAZ 158,734,2008
skin /rabbit 500 µL severeNTIS** OTS0545856

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
skin/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 240 gm/kg/20W- intermittentTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors
CNREA8 19,413,1959

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/guinea pig Lowest published lethal concentration: 16 gm/m3/1H85GMAT -,119,1982
inhalation/guinea pig lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 13500 mg/m3/6HHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 700 mg/m3/15MBehavioral: Headache

Cardiac: Pulse rate increased without fall in BP

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting
VCVPS* -,291,1998
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 4000 mg/m3/1HBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
VCVPS* -,291,1998
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 175 ppmOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Eye: Conjunctiva irritation

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
JIHTAB 25,282,1943
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 6 gm/m3/3HEye: Other eye effects

Behavioral: Hallucinations, distorted perceptions

Behavioral: Headache
AHYGAJ 83,239,1914
inhalation/man lowest published toxic concentration: 449 mg/m3/2HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changesOEMEEM 53,100,1996
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 30000 mg/m3Liver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight
VCVPS* -,291,1998
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 29 mg/m3/2HBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
TXAPA9 6,360,1964
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 9000 mg/m3/6HHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 29000 mg/m3/2HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 13500 mg/m3/6HHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 12 gm/m3ENTOX* -,394,2005
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 19900 mg/m3/1HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 16600 mg/m3/2HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 13700 mg/m3/4HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 11700 mg/m3/6HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulationHPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 16600 mg/m3/2HLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight
VCVPS* -,291,1998
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 13700 mg/m3/4HEye: Conjunctiva irritation

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough
VCVPS* -,291,1998
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 12 gm/m3/6HBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea
TXAPA9 10,8,1967
intravenous/man lowest published toxic dose: 71 µL/kgPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Associated connective tissue

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
AJEMEN 4,543,1986
intravenous/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1180 µg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
TXAPA9 6,360,1964
oral/infant lowest published lethal dose: 1748 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
ADCHAK 28,475,1953
oral/infant lowest published toxic dose: 874 mg/kgBehavioral: AntipsychoticADCHAK 28,475,1953
oral/man lowest published lethal dose: 2857 µL/kgBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
FSINDR 65,47,1994
oral/man lowest published lethal dose: 3 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Gastrointestinal: Other changes
BMJOAE 2,77,1931
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3956 mg/kgHPV143 -,-,2002
oral/woman lowest published toxic dose: 560 mg/kgKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changesADCHAK 28,475,1953
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): >2000 mg/kgHPV143 -,-,2002
skin/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 5010 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
NTIS** OTS0545856
subcutaneous/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1 mL/kgEndocrine: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
TOLED5 147,153,2004
unreported route/human lowest published lethal dose: 1777 mg/kgFSINDR 65,47,1994
unreported route/man lowest published lethal dose: 441 mg/kg85DCAI 2,73,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/Dog lowest published toxic concentration: 4800 mg/m3/90D- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Ataxia
HPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/guinea pig lowest published toxic concentration: 4800 mg/m3/90D- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)HPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 2400 mg/m3/30D- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)HPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 2400 mg/m3/30D- intermittentBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)HPV143 -,-,2002
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 4800 mg/m3/90D- intermittentCardiac: Cardiomyopathy including infarction

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV143 -,-,2002

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 ppm (sen)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBLFSBY 24,253,1983
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 128,85,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,394,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAIRMJ* 20,8,2001

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATIONFEREAC 54,7740,1989
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDESCancelled/New AIRBREV* -,280,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,274,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 100 ppm (557 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 100 ppm (560 mg/m3);KZW 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), skin, sen, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 20 ppm ( mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 25 ppm (140 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (140 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (280 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 560 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 560 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (140 mg/m3), skin, sen, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 50 ppm (280 mg/m3), s1 sen, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 100 ppm (556 mg/m3), sen, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 20 ppm (111 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 300 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 840 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 300 mg(C)/m3, short term exposure limit 600 mg(C)/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), sen, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 560 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 100 ppm (566 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 150 ppm (850 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (560 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO TURPENTINE-air10H time-weighted average 100 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code X5757; Number of Industries 75; Total Number of Facilities 7231; Number of Occupations 62; Total Number of Employees Exposed 116433; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 22205
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 74990; Number of Industries 146; Total Number of Facilities 19493; Number of Occupations 94; Total Number of Employees Exposed 351747; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 144051
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 74990; Number of Industries 139; Total Number of Facilities 12405; Number of Occupations 92; Total Number of Employees Exposed 113949

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Risk Notification, 8EHQ-0892-9158
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Turpentine, 1551
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1996: Volatile organic compound, 2549
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018