2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol

Synonyms

1-Hydroxy-2,3,4,6-tetrachlorobenzene; 2,4,5,6-Tetrachlorophenol; Chlorophenols; Dowicide 6; Phenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachloro-; [ChemIDplus] UN2020

Category

Chlorophenols

Description

Brown solid; [Hawley]

Sources/Uses

Used as a pesticide and fungicide; as a slimicide for paper mills; as a preservative; as a component in pentachlorophenol wood preservative; Discontinued by the DOW Chemical Co.; No longer commercially produced in the US; “Pure 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol is not sold commercially because of the difficulty encountered in adjusting the chlorination at the tetra stage. It is found in combination with pentachlorophenol.” [HSDB]

Comments

A nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritant; [HSDB] Prolonged contact corrosive to eyes; May cause skin burns, hyperthermia, methemoglobinemia, liver and kidney damage, and convulsions; [CAMEO] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause liver injury and chloracne; [ICSC] A severe skin and eye irritant; A mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract irritant; May cause liver damage; Effects in high-dose animal studies include convulsions or effect on seizure threshold; [MSDSonline] See "CHLOROPHENOLS."

Biomedical References

0.00423 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Chlorophenols, solid."

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

Yes

Chloracne

Possible (2b)

Other Poison

Uncoupler

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Acute tubular necrosis
• Chloracne
• Pentachlorophenol/Dinitrophenol, acute poisoning

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Pulp and Paper Processing