n-Butyl acetate

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-hr LC (CF)	Derived value
Rat Cat G. pig Rat Rat Rat Mouse	EPA 1987 Flury and Wirth 1933 Food Cosmet Toxicol 1979 NPIRI 1974 Smyth 1956 UCC 1987 Yakkyoku 1981	160 ----- ----- 2,000 LC100: 10,000 391 1,242	----- 14,079 13,872 ----- ----- ----- -----	4 hr 72 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 ppm 1,887 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).