Benzene (MSDS)
Benzene (MSDS)
Benzene (MSDS)
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
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headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Advanced stages may cause collapse, unconsciousness,
coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation
exposure. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal.
Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, and central
nervous system depression. Exposure may lead to irreversible bone marrow injury. Exposure may lead to
aplastic anemia. Potential symptoms of overexposure by inhalation are dizziness, headache, vomiting,
visual disturbances, staggering gait, hilarity, fatigue, and other symptoms of CNS depression.
Chronic: May cause bone marrow abnormalities with damage to blood forming tissues. May cause anemia
and other blood cell abnormalities. Chronic exposure to benzene has been associated with an increased
incidence of leukemia and multiple myeloma (tumor composed of cells of the type normally found in the
bone marrow). Immunodepressive effects have been reported. This substance has caused adverse
reproductive and fetal effects in laboratory animals.
Eyes: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for a t least 15 minutes. Get medical
aid.
Skin: In case of contact, flush skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get
medical aid if irritation develops and persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion: Potential for aspiration if swallowed. Get medical aid immediately. Do not induce vomiting
unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If
vomiting occurs naturally, have victim lean forward.
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.
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container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Remove all sources of
ignition. Provide ventilation. Approach spill from upwind. Use water spray to cool and disperse vapors,
protect personnel, and dilute spills to form nonflammable mixtures.
Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Ground
and bond containers when transferring material. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Empty
containers retain product residue, (liquid and/or vapor), and can be dangerous. Take precautionary
measures against static discharges. Keep container tightly closed. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze,
solder, drill, grind, or expose empty containers to heat, sparks or open flames. Use only with adequate
ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid breathing vapor.
Storage: Keep away from sources of ignition. Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from contact with
oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to
control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment.
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
See 29CFR 1910.1028 for the regulatory requirements for the control of employee exposure to benzene.
Exposure Limits
Chemical Name ACGIH NIOSH OSHA - Final PELs
1 ppm TWA; 10 ppm TWA
(applies to industry
segments exempt from the
benzene stan dard at 29
CFR 1910.1028); 25 ppm
0.5 ppm TWA; 2.5 ppm
Ceiling (applies to industry
STEL; Skin - potential
0.1 ppm TWA 500 ppm segments exempt from the
Benzene significant contribution to
IDLH 1 ppm TWA and 5 ppm
overall exposure by the
STEL of th e benzene
cutaneous r oute
standard); 0.5 ppm Action
Level; 1 ppm TWA; 5 ppm
STEL (Cancer hazard,
Flammable - see 29 C FR
1910.1028)
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RTECS#:
CAS# 71-43-2: CY1400000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 71-43-2:
Dermal, guinea pig: LD50 = >9400 uL/kg;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 88 mg Moderate;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 2 mg/24H Severe;
Draize test, rabbit, skin: 20 mg/24H Moderate;
Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 9980 ppm;
Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 24 mL/kg/2H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 10000 ppm/7H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 34 mL/kg/2H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 6.5 mL/kg/4H;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 4700 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 930 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 1 mL/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 1800 Benzene is considered very toxic; probable human oral lethal dose would be
50-500 mg/kg. Human inhalation of approximately 20,000 ppm (2% in air) was fatal in 5-10
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minutes.While percutaneous absorption of liquid benzene through intact human skin can be limited (e.g.,
0.05% of the applied dose), the absorbed dose via direct dermal contact combined with that received from
body surface exposure to benzene in workplace air is such that a substantial fraction (20-40%) of the total
exposure is due to skin absorption.
Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 71-43-2:
Epidemiology: IARC has concluded that epidemiological studies have established the relationship
between benzene exposure and the development of acute myelogenous leukemia, and that there is
sufficient evidence that benzene is carcinogenic to humans.
Teratogenicity: Inhalation, rat: TCLO = 50 ppm/24H (female 7-14 day(s) after conception) Effects on
Embryo or Fetus - extra-embryonic structures (e.g., placenta, umbilical cord) and Effects on Embryo or
Fetus - fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus).; Inhalation,mouse: TCLo = 5 ppm (female 6-15
day(s) after conception) Effects on Embryo or Fetus - cytological changes (including somatic cell genetic
material) and Specific Developmental Abnormalities - blood and lymphatic systems (including spleen and
marrow).
Reproductive Effects: Inhalation, rat: TCLO = 670 mg/m3/24H (female 15 day(s) pre-mating and
female 1-22 day(s) after conception) female fertility index (e.g. # females pregnant per # sperm positive
females; # females pregnant per # females mated).; Oral, mouse: TDLo = 12 gm/kg (female 6-15 day(s)
after conception) Fertility - post-implantation mortality (e.g. dead and/or resorbed implants per total
number of implants).
Mutagenicity: DNA Inhibition: Human, Leukocyte = 2200 umol/L.; DNA Inhibition: Human, HeLa cell =
2200 umol/L.; Mutation Test Systems - not otherwise specified: Human, Lymphocyte = 5 umol/L.;
Cytogenetic Analysis: Inhalation, Human = 125 ppm/1Y.; Cytogenetic Analysis: Human, Leukocyte = 1
mmol/L/72H.; Cytogenetic Analysis: Human, Lymphocyte = 1 mg/L.
Neurotoxicity: See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
Other Studies:
Ecotoxicity: Fish: Mosquito Fish: TLm = 395 mg/L; 24 Hr; UnspecifiedFish: Goldfish: LC50 =46 mg/L; 24
Hr; Modified ASTM D 1345Fish: Fathead Minnow: LC50 = 15.1 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25°C (pH
7.9-8.0)Fish: Rainbow trout: LC50 = 5.3 mg/L; 96 Hr; Flow-through at 25°C (pH 7.9-8.0)Fish:
Bluegill/Sunfish: LD50 = 20 mg/L; 24-48 Hr; Unspecified If benzene is released to soil, it will be subject to
rapid volatilization near the surface and that which does not evaporate will be highly to very highly mobile
in the soil and may leach to groundwater. If benzene is released to water, it will be subject to rapid
volatilization. It will not be expected to significantly adsorb to sediment, bioconcentrate in aquatic
organisms or hydrolyze. It may be subject to biodegradation.
Environmental: If benzene is released to the atmosphere, it will exist predominantly in the vapor phase.
Gas-phase benzene will not be subject to direct photolysis but it will react with photochemically produced
hydroxyl radicals with a half-life of 13.4 days. The reaction time in polluted atmospheres which contain
nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide is accelerated with the half-life being reported as 4-6 hours. Benzene is
fairly soluble in water and is removed from the atmosphere in rain.
Physical: Products of photooxidation include phenol, nitrophenols, nitrobenzene, formic acid, and
peroxyacetyl nitrate.
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Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical is classified as a hazardous
waste. US EPA guidelines for the classification determination are listed in 40 CFR Parts 261.3. Additionally,
waste generators must consult state and local hazardous waste regulations to ensure complete and
accurate classification.
RCRA P-Series: None listed.
RCRA U-Series:
CAS# 71-43-2: waste number U019 (Ignitable waste, Toxic waste).
US FEDERAL
TSCA
CAS# 71-43-2 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
Health & Safety Reporting List
None of the chemicals are on the Health & Safety Reporting List.
Chemical Test Rules
None of the chemicals in this product are under a Chemical Test Rule.
Section 12b
None of the chemicals are listed under TSCA Section 12b.
TSCA Significant New Use Rule
None of the chemicals in this material have a SNUR under TSCA.
CERCLA Hazardous Substances and corresponding RQs
CAS# 71-43-2: 10 lb final RQ (received an adjusted RQ of 10 lbs based on potential carcinogeni
SARA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances
None of the chemicals in this product have a TPQ.
SARA Codes
CAS # 71-43-2: immediate, delayed, fire.
Section 313
This material contains Benzene (CAS# 71-43-2, > 99%),which is subject to the reporting requirements
of Section 313 of SARA Title III and 40 CFR Part 373.
Clean Air Act:
CAS# 71-43-2 is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP).
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California Prop 65
The following statement(s) is(are) made in order to comply with the California Safe Drinking
Water Act:
WARNING: This product contains Benzene, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.
WARNING: This product contains Benzene, a chemical known to the state of California to cause male
reproductive toxicity.
California No Significant Risk Level: CAS# 71-43-2: 6.4 æg/day NSRL (oral); 13 æg/day NSRL (inhalation)
European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols:
TF
Risk Phrases:
R 11 Highly flammable.
R 36/38 Irritating to eyes and skin.
R 45 May cause cancer.
R 46 May cause heritable genetic damage.
R 48/23/24/25 Toxic : danger of serious damage to health by
prolonged exposure through inhalation, contact with skin and if
swallowed.
R 65 Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
Safety Phrases:
S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice
immediately (show the label where possible).
S 53 Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.
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