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n-Propyl acetate
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 109–60–4
NIOSH REL: 200 ppm (840 mg/m3) TWA, 250 ppm (1,050 mg/m3) STEL
Current OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (840 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (840 mg/m3) TWA, 250 ppm (1,050 mg/m3) STEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 200 ppm (835 mg/m3) TWA, 250 ppm (1,040 mg/m3) STEL
Description of substance: Colorless liquid with a mild, fruity odor.
LEL(@100°F): 1.7% (10% LEL(@100°F), 1,700 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 8,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that a 4-hour exposure to 8,000 ppm was fatal to 4 of 6 rats [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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | Flury & Wirth 1933 | —– | 8,941 | 5 hr | 19,223 ppm (2.15) | 1,922 ppm |
| Rat | Smyth et al. 1969 | LC67: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RatMouse
Rabbit Rat |
Jenner et al. 1964Jenner et al. 1964
Munch 1972 Smyth et al. 1969 |
oraloral
oral oral |
9,3708,300
6,640 8,700 |
———-
—– —– |
15,433 ppm13,671 ppm
10,936 ppm 14,329 ppm |
1,543 ppm1,367 ppm
1,094 ppm 1,433 ppm |
Other animal data: It has been reported that based on acute inhalation studies, n-propyl acetate appears to be more toxic than isopropyl acetate and ethyl acetate but less toxic than n-butyl acetate [ACGIH 1991].
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
| Revised IDLH: 1,700 ppmBasis for revised IDLH: The revised IDLH for n-propyl acetate is 1,700 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Flury and Wirth 1933; Smyth et al. 1969]. The revised IDLH is roughly the same as the revised IDLHs for ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate and is also 10% of the lower explosive limit of 1.7% (which was determined at 100°F). This may be a conservative value due to the lack of relevant acute inhalation toxicity data for workers. |
REFERENCES:
1. ACGIH [1971]. n-Propyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 216.
2. ACGIH [1991]. n-Propyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 1300.
3. Flury F, Wirth W [1933]. Zur toxikologie der lösungsmittel. (Verschieden ester, aceton, methylalkohol.) Arch Gewerbepath Gewerbehyg 5:1-90 (in German).
4. Jenner PM, Hagan EC, Taylor JM, Cook EL, Fitzhugh OG [1964]. Food flavourings and compounds of related structure. I. Acute oral toxicity. Food Cosmet Toxicol 2:327-343.
5. Munch JC [1972]. Aliphatic alcohols and alkyl esters: narcotic and lethal potencies to tadpoles and to rabbits. Ind Med Surg 41:31-33.
6. 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.
7. Smyth HF Jr, Carpenter CP, Weil CS, Pozzani UC, Striegel JA, Nycum JS [1969]. Range-finding toxicity data: list VII. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 30(5):470-476.