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Isobutyl alcohol
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 78–83–1
NIOSH REL: 50 ppm (150 mg/m3) TWA
Current OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 50 ppm (150 mg/m3) TWA
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 50 ppm (152 mg/m3) TWA
Description of substance: Colorless, oily liquid with a sweet, musty odor.
LEL(@123°F): 1.7% (10% LEL(@123°F), 1,700 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 8,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by Patty [1963] that 2 of 6 rats died when exposed for 4 hours to 8,000 ppm [Smyth et al. 1954].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50(ppm) | LCLo(ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hrLC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Smyth et al. 1954 | LC33: 8,000 | —– | 4 hr | 16,000 ppm (2.0) | 1,600 ppm |
Lethal dose data:
| Species | Reference | Route | LD50(mg/kg) | LDLo(mg/kg) | Adjusted LD | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RabbitRat | Munch and Schwartze 1925Smyth et al. 1954 | oraloral | ———- | 3,7502,460 | 8,522 ppm5,591 ppm | 852 ppm559 ppm |
Other animal data: RD50 (mouse), 1,818 ppm [DeCeaurriz et al. 1981].
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
| Revised IDLH: 1,600 ppmBasis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for isobutyl alcohol is 1,600 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Smyth et al. 1954]. This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute toxicity data for workers. |
REFERENCES:
1. DeCeaurriz JC, Micillino JC, Bonnet P, Guenier JP [1981]. Sensory irritation caused by various industrial airborne chemicals. Toxicol Lett 9(2):137-143.
2. Munch JC, Schwartze EW [1925]. Narcotic and toxic potency of aliphatic alcohols upon rabbits. J Lab Clin Med 10:985-995.
3. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1448.
4. Smyth HF Jr, Carpenter CP, Weil CS, Pozzani UC [1954]. Range-finding toxicity data: list V. AMA Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 10:61-68.