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tert-Butyl alcohol

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May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)

CAS number: 75–65–0

NIOSH REL: 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) TWA, 150 ppm (450 mg/m3) STEL

Current OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) TWA, 150 ppm (450 mg/m3) STEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 100 ppm (303 mg/m3) TWA

Description of Substance: Colorless solid or liquid (above 77 F) with a camphor-like odor.

LEL: . . 2.4% (10% LEL, 2,400 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 8,000 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: No data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base the IDLH for tert-butyl alcohol, but Patty [1963] reported that the signs of intoxication on the part of animals exposed to its vapors are similar to those induced by the other butyl alcohols [Weese 1928]. For this draft technical standard, therefore, the IDLH is based on an analogy with isobutyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol, which have IDLHs of 8,000 ppm.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal dose data:

Species Reference Route LD50(mg/kg) LDLo(mg/kg) Adjusted LD Derived value
Rabbit Munch 1972 oral 3,559 —– 8,089 ppm 809 ppm
Rat Schaffarzick and Brown 1952 oral 3,500 —– 7,955 ppm 796 ppm

Other animal data: It has been reported that inhalation toxicity for tert-butyl alcohol is similar to that induced by the other butyl alcohols [Weese 1928].

Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Munch JC [1972]. Aliphatic alcohols and alkyl esters: narcotic and lethal potencies to tadpoles and to rabbits. Ind Med Surg 41:31-33.

2. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1447.

3. Schaffarzick RW, Brown BJ [1952]. The anticonvulsant activity and toxicity of methylparafynol (Dormison®) and some other alcohols. Science 116:663-665.

4. Weese H [1928]. Comparative studies of the effect of toxicity of lower aliphatic alcohol vapors (translated). Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 135:121-123.