Benzyl alcohol
Agent Name
Benzyl alcohol
CAS Number
100-51-6
Formula
C7-H8-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
(Hydroxymethyl)benzene; Alcohol bencilico [INN-Spanish]; Alcoholum benzylicum [INN-Latin]; Alcool benzilico [DCIT]; Alcool benzylique; Alcool benzylique [INN-French]; Benzal alcohol; Benzenecarbinol; Benzenemethanol; Benzoyl alcohol; Benzyl alcohol; Benzyl alcohol (natural); Benzylicum; Euxyl K 100; Hydroxytoluene; Methanol, phenyl-; Phenolcarbinol; Phenylcarbinol; Phenylcarbinolum; Phenylmethanol; Phenylmethyl alcohol; alpha-Toluenol; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Alcohols and Polyols, Other
Description
A colorless liquid with a sharp burning taste and slight odor; [ChemIDplus]
Sources/Uses
Used as a preservative, epoxy resin catalyst, and in the photographic developer C-22; [Kanerva, p. 1757] Used as a preservative, solvent, and local anesthetic; [Marks, p. 136] Used as a preservative in drugs for injection; [Kanerva, p. 462-3] Used in flavors and perfumes and as a solvent for inks and dyes; [AIHA]
Comments
Rarely causes allergic contact dermatitis; [Marks, p. 136] Occupational contact urticaria has been reported. [PMID 11766131] A skin and eye irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; May cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] No deaths in rats exposed to saturated concentrations (100-200 ppm) for 2 hours; Rapidly metabolized to hippuric acid; Has caused deaths in premature infants when given in IV solutions >4.5 mg/kg-day; [AIHA] Included in list of "established contact allergens in humans"; [EC: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety: Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2011)]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
MAK
5 ppm
Vapor Pressure
0.094 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
5.5 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LCLo (rat) = 1,000 ppm/8h
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 93 deg C; Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; VP from HSDB;
Reference Link #2
NFPA
must be preheated
WEEL
10 ppm
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: