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n-Butyl acetate
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 123–86–4
NIOSH REL: 150 ppm (710 mg/m3) TWA, 200 ppm (950 mg/m3) STEL
Current OSHA PEL: 150 ppm (710 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: 150 ppm (710 mg/m3) TWA, 200 ppm (950 mg/m3) STEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 150 ppm (713 mg/m3) TWA, 200 ppm (950 mg/m3) STEL
Description of Substance: Colorless liquid with a fruity odor.
LEL: . . 1.7% (10% LEL, 1,700 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 10,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by ACGIH [1971] that a 4-hour exposure to 10,000 ppm killed no rats, but an 8-hour exposure to 10,000 ppm killed all 6 rats [Smyth 1956].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50(ppm) | LCLo(ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hrLC (CF) | Derivedvalue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RatCat
G. pig Rat Rat Rat Mouse |
EPA 1987Flury and Wirth 1933
Food Cosmet Toxicol 1979 NPIRI 1974 Smyth 1956 UCC 1987 Yakkyoku 1981 |
160—–
—– 2,000 391 1,242 |
—–14,079
13,872 —– —– —– —– |
4 hr72 min
4 hr 4 hr 8 hr 4 hr 2 hr |
320 ppm (2.0)18,866 ppm (1.34)
27,744 ppm (2.0) 4,000 ppm (2.0) 25,000 ppm (2.5) 782 ppm (2.0) 1,987 ppm (1.6) |
32 ppm1,887 ppm
2,774 ppm 400 ppm 2,500 ppm 78 ppm 199 ppm |
Other animal data: A 4-hour exposure to 10,000 ppm was not lethal to rats [Smyth 1956].
Human data: Severe irritation of the throat has been reported in volunteers exposed to 300 ppm for 3 to 5 minutes [Nelson et al. 1943]. However, it has also been reported that irritation of the eyes and nose is first objectionable at 3,300 ppm and that higher concentrations cause tearing and hyperemia of the conjunctiva [Grant 1974].
| Revised IDLH: 1,700 ppm [LEL]Basis for revised IDLH: Based on health considerations and acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Grant 1974], a value of about 3,300 ppm would have been appropriate for n-butyl acetate. However, the revised IDLH for n-butyl acetate is 1,700 ppm based strictly on safety considerations (i.e., being 10% of the lower explosive limit of 1.7%). |
REFERENCES:
1. ACGIH [1971]. n-Butyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values for substances in workroom air. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, p. 30.
2. EPA [1987]. TSCA section 8e submission and status report on n-butyl acetate. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Toxic Substances, Report No. 8EHQ-0387-0659, April 6, 1987. [From ACGIH [1991]. n-Butyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, pp. 164-165.]
3. Flury F, Wirth W [1933]. Zur toxikologie der losungsmittel (verschiedene ester, aceton, methylalkohol). Arch Gewerbepath Gewerbehyg 5:1-90 (in German).
4. Food Cosmet Toxicol [1979]; 17:515-519.
5. Grant WM [1974]. Toxicology of the eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, IL: C.C. Thomas, pp. 210-211.
6. Nelson KW, Ege JF, Ross M, Woodman LE, Silverman L [1943]. Sensory response to certain industrial solvent vapors. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 25(7):282-285.
7. NPIRI [1974]. Raw materials data handbook, physical and chemical properties, fire hazard and health hazard data. Vol. 1. Organic solvents. Bethlehem, PA: National Printing Ink Research Institute, p. 7.
8. Smyth HF Jr [1956]. Improved communication: hygienic standards for daily inhalation. Am Ind Hyg Assoc Q 17(2):129-185.
9. UCC [1987]. n-Butyl acetate: acute vapor inhalation toxicity test in rats. Export, PA: Union Carbide Corporation, Bushy Run Research Center, Project Report No. 50-135, November 17, 1987. [From ACGIH [1991]. n-Butyl acetate. In: Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, pp. 164-165.]
10. Yakkyoku (Pharmacy) [1981]; 32(10):1241-1247 (in Japanese).