o-Cresol

Synonyms

1-Hydroxy-2-methylbenzene; 2-Cresol; 2-Hydroxy-1-methylbenzene; 2-Hydroxytoluene; 2-Methylphenol; Orthocresol; Phenol, 2-methyl-; o-Cresol; o-Cresylic acid; o-Hydroxytoluene; o-Kresol [German]; o-Methylphenol; o-Methylphenylol; o-Oxytoluene; o-Toluol; Cresol, o-; Cresol, o-isomer; Cresol, ortho-; [ChemIDplus] 2-Hydroxy-1-methylbenzene; ortho-Hydroxytoluene; [ICSC] OCRE; [NTP] UN2076; UN3455

Category

Phenols

Description

Solid or liquid with a phenolic odor; Darkens with age and exposure to light and air; mp = 30 deg C; [Merck Index] Colorless solid; [ICSC] Colorless, yellow to yellowish-brown, or pink liquid; [CAMEO] White powder; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used to make synthetic resins; Also used as an industrial solvent and in disinfectants and fungicides; [Merck Index] Used to make herbicides, pesticides, dyes, drugs, antioxidants, perfumes, and other chemicals; Also used as a food antioxidant, textile scouring agent, surfactant, metal cleaner, and ore flotation agent; Exposure may occur in the explosives, petroleum, photographic, paint, and agricultural industries; [HSDB] Used primarily as an intermediate; Other uses for o-cresol and cresol mixtures include cleaning compounds, degreasers, paints and paint strippers, adhesives, fiber treatment, wood preservatives, and cutting oils; [OECD SIDS: o-Cresol] Used as flavoring agent or adjuvant; [FDA]

Comments

Causes burns; Inhalation may cause pulmonary edema; Short-term exposure may have effects on the CNS (lowering of consciousness) and blood (destruction of blood cells); Prolonged or repeated exposure may have effects on the nervous system (impaired functions) and blood (anemia); Can be absorbed through skin; [ICSC] May cause second degree skin burns after a few minutes contact; Effects of chronic exposure may include CNS damage, chronic gastritis, heart and brain lesions, and liver and kidney injury; [CHRIS] More toxic than the m-isomer and less toxic than the p-isomer; May cause skin sensitization; [HSDB] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; Highly toxic by inhalation; Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption; Targets the CNS, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, and cardiovascular system; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "Cresol, all isomers." See "o-Cresol" and "p-Cresol."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

20 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor

22 mg/m3

0.299 mm Hg

0.26 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.65 ppm

LC50 (rat) > 1,220 mg/m3/1hr

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold low (detection) and high (recognition) from CHRIS; The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Cresols."

high ambient temp required

Hemolytic anemia

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Metal Degreasing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Metal Machining
• Painting (Solvents)
• Photographic Processing
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides
• Working with Glues and Adhesives