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m-Cresol

RTECS #
GO6125000
CAS #
108-39-4
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
December 2018
Molecular Weight
108.15
Molecular Formula
C7H8O
Synonyms
1-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzene
3-Cresol
3-Hydroxytoluene
3-Methylphenol
Cresol
m-Cresol (ACGIH:OSHA)
m-Cresole
m-Cresylic acid
m-Hydroxytoluene
Mixture of meta and para-cresol (59%:41%
m-Kresol
m-Methylphenol
m-Oxytoluene
MPCRE)
m-Toluol
o-Cresol
Phenol, 3-methyl- (9CI)
RCRA waste number U052

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
DNA inhibitionHeLa cell/human10 µmol/L/4HBECTA6 32,220,1984

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/rat 2100 mg/kg (multigeneration)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured before birth)TOXID9 12,198,1992
oral/rat 1400 mg/kg (multigeneration)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)TOXID9 12,198,1992
oral/rat 4500 mg/kg (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on femaleHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rabbit 650 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Abortion
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rabbit 3900 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system
HPV299 -,-,2002
subcutaneous/rabbit 390 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)
HPV299 -,-,2002
subcutaneous/rabbit 134 gm/kg (6-18D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)OYYAA2 16,1191,1978

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
skin/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 2280 mg/kg/20W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors
CNREA8 19,413,1959

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
In Vitro/Mouse, fibroblast Inhibitor Concentration Low: 0.6 gm/L/24HIn Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.TOXRE* 2,194,2015
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 58 mg/m3Behavioral: Tetany

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria
VCVGK* -,207,1994
intraperitoneal/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intraperitoneal/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1361,1935
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 168 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intravenous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 150 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
intravenous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 280 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 600 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 828 mg/kgGTPZAB 18(2),58,1974
oral/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 1400 mg/kgJPETAB 80,233,1944
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1400 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 825 mg/kgKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Hematuria

Skin: After systemic exposure: Dermatitis, other
WDZAEK 9,108,1995
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 242 mg/kgCardiac: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
VCVGK* -,207,1994
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 620 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Tetany
VCVGK* -,207,1994
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1000 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Tetany
VCVGK* -,207,1994
skin/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1100 mg/kgGTPZAB 18(2),58,1974
subcutaneous/cat lowest published lethal dose: 180 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/frog lowest published lethal dose: 250 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1361,1935
subcutaneous/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 300 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/mouse lowest published lethal dose: 450 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2050 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 500 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1361,1935
subcutaneous/rat lowest published lethal dose: 900 mg/kgVCVGK* -,207,1994
subcutaneous/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 300 mg/kgTOXID9 66,266,2002
unreported route/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 600 mg/kgGTPPAF 8,145,1972

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 101 gm/kg/28D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
NTIS** PB92-174242
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 867000 mg/kg/2Y- continuousLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Gastrointestinal: Tumors

Tumorigenic: Tumor types after systemic administration not seen spontaneously
TOXID9 -,106,2008
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 33600 mg/kg/28D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 42 gm/kg/28D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Liver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight
NTIS** PB92-174242
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 14000 mg/kg/28D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightHPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 42000 mg/kg/28D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 40950 mg/kg/13W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV299 -,-,2002
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1800 mg/kg/18D- intermittentBehavioral: TremorTOXID9 72,390,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5400 mg/kg/18D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
TOXID9 72,390,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 28 gm/kg/28D- intermittentBehavioral: Tremor

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
TOXID9 72,390,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5400 mg/kg/18D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1800 mg/kg/18D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightJTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 400 mg/kg/4D- intermittentBehavioral: TremorJTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1200 mg/kg/4D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainJTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5400 mg/kg/18D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Liver: Changes in liver weight
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3000 mg/kg/10D- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainJTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 14000 mg/kg/14D- intermittentBehavioral: Tremor

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 14000 mg/kg/14D- intermittentBehavioral: Tremor

Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 7000 mg/kg/14D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightJTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 7000 mg/kg/14D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 28000 mg/kg/28D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 28000 mg/kg/28D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight
JTSCDR 28,59,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 657000 mg/kg/2Y- continuousLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes
TOXID9 -,106,2008

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 mg/m3 (inhal, vapor, skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,678,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,259,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 741,32,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFCTOD7 94,93,2016

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 PESTICIDESRED CompletedRBREV* -,305,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,61,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, EC-limit, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (45 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 1 ppm (4.5 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 2 ppm (9 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 5 ppm (22 5 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 5 ppm (22 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO m-CRESOL-air10H time-weighted average 2.3 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 84497; Number of Industries 5; Total Number of Facilities 144; Number of Occupations 11; Total Number of Employees Exposed 5615; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 1174
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 84497; Number of Industries 16; Total Number of Facilities 1317; Number of Occupations 20; Total Number of Employees Exposed 11161

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Cresol (all isomers) and phenol, 2546
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1996: Volatile organic compound, 2549
NTP Toxicity studies, RPT# TOX-09, October 2000
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018