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Toluene, p-tert-butyl-

RTECS #
XS8400000
CAS #
98-51-1
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
148.27
Molecular Formula
C11H16
Synonyms
1-Methyl-4-tert-butylbenzene
4-tert-Butyltoluene
Benzene, 1-methyl-4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)- (9CI)
p-Methyl-tert-butylbenzene
p-tert-Butyltoluene
p-tert-Butyltoluene (ACGIH:OSHA)
TBT

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /human 5 ppm/2HAMIHBC 9,227,1954
eye /rabbit 100 mgAMIHBC 9,227,1954
skin /rabbit 500 mg/24H mildAMIHBC 9,227,1954

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 10 ppm/3MGastrointestinal: Nausea or vomitingAMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 20 ppm/5MEye: Conjunctiva irritation

Taste: Change in function

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting
28ZRAQ -,156,1960
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 248 ppm/4HPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change

Behavioral: Excitement
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 165 ppm/8HOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 275 mg/kgVCVGH* -,184,1990
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (16 percent kill): 188 mg/kgVCVGH* -,184,1990
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (84 percent kill): 545 mg/kgVCVGH* -,184,1990
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 778 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1728 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Muscle weakness
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1555 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1600 mg/kgVCVGH* -,184,1990
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 16934 mg/kgBehavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease
AMIHBC 9,227,1954

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 20 ppm/6H/14D- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNSPHTOEH 76,36,1995
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 850 ppm/1H/5D- intermittentAutonomic Nervous System: Other (direct) parasympathomimetic

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 50 ppm/2H/26W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count
AMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 25 ppm/2H/73D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightAMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 50 ppm/7H/37D- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weightAMIHBC 9,227,1954
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 20 ppm/4W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other proteins
PHTOEH 87,11,2000
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 40 ppm/4W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Multiple enzyme effects

Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Catecholamine levels in CNS
PHTOEH 87,11,2000

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 1 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,34,1971
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 10 ppm (61 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (121 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 10 ppm (60 mg/m3);KZW 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6.2 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6.1 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6.1 mg/m3), ceiling concentration 5 ppm (31 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6.1 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 20 ppm (120 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 20 ppm (120 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (61 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 20 ppm (121 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 1 ppm (6.1 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 6.1 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (60 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO p-tert-BUTYLTOLUENE-air10H time-weighted average 10 ppm;short term exposure limit 20 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 14930; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 21; Number of Occupations 2; Total Number of Employees Exposed 187

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
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: Hydrocarbons, aromatic, 1501
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018