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Biphenyl

RTECS #
DU8050000
CAS #
92-52-4
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2018
Molecular Weight
154.22
Molecular Formula
C12H10
Synonyms
1,1'-Biphenyl
Bibenzene
Biphenyl (ACGIH:OSHA)
Carolid AL
CP 390
Diphenyl (OSHA)
Lemonene
MCS 1572
Phenador-X
Phenylbenzene
PHPH
Tetrosin LY
Xenene

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 100 mg mildMONS**
skin /rabbit 500 µL/24H severeNTIS** OTS0546109

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
Cytogenetic Analysislung/hamster10 mg/LESKHA5 (103),64,1985
DNA Damageoral/mouse100 mg/kgMUREAV 519,103,2002
DNA Damagelymphocyte/mouse50 µmol/LMUREAV 203,155,1988
mutation in mammalian somatic cellslymphocyte/mouse296 µmol/LMUTAEX 3,193,1988
mutation in microorganismslung/hamster10 mg/L (+enzymatic activation step)MUREAV 281,151,1992
mutation in microorganismslymphocyte/mouse20 µmol/L (+enzymatic activation step)MUTAEX 3,193,1988
sister chromatid exchangefibroblast/hamster100 µmol/LJNCIAM 58,1635,1977
Unscheduled DNA Synthesisoral/rat8400 mg/kg/4W-continuousTXAPA9 99,37,1989

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 56 gm/kgTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Blood: Tumors
NTIS** PB223-159
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 276640 mg/kg/104W- intermittentTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Bladder tumors

Tumorigenic: Increased incidence of tumors in susceptible strains
HPV144 -,-,2003
subcutaneous/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 46 mg/kgTumorigenic: Neoplastic by RTECS criteria

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Tumors

Liver: Tumors
NTIS** PB223-159

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 4400 µg/m3Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage)

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Gastrointestinal: Other changes
AEHLAU 26,70,1973
inhalation/rat Lethal concentration: >200 mg/m3MONS**
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 160 mg/kgEndocrine: Estrogenic

Reproductive: Maternal effects: Uterus, cervix, vagina

Related to Chronic Data: Changes in uterine weight
RCOCB8 9,85,1974
intravenous/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 56 mg/kgCSLNX* NX#00198
oral/cat lethal dose (50 percent kill): >2600 mg/kg85JFAN A166,1983
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 120 mg/kgLiver: Other changesTOXID9 66,10,2002
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1900 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea
SKEZAP 24,268,1983
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2400 mg/kgNASDA6 28,983,1977
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2140 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Muscle weakness

Gastrointestinal: Alteration in gastric secretion
NTIS** OTS0546109
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2400 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Blood: Hemorrhage
HPV144 -,-,2003
oral/wild bird lethal dose (50 percent kill): 96 mg/kgBFUUA* 50,1,1992
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): >5010 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Gastrointestinal: Gastritis

Liver: Other changes
HPV144 -,-,2003
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): >5010 mg/kgMONS**
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4500 mg/kgGISAAA 53(5),6,1988

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 5 mg/m3/7H/92D- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Emphysema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
JIHTAB 29,1,1947
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 25 ppm/13W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation
HPV144 -,-,2003
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 50 ppm/13W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV144 -,-,2003
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 300 mg/m3/7H/94D- intermittentOlfaction: Other olfaction effects

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Emphysema

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
JIHTAB 29,1,1947
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 150 mg/kg/3D- intermittentBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymesTXAPA9 33,94,1975
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 218400 mg/kg/104W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in both tubules and glomeruliHPV144 -,-,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3300 mg/kg/15D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in bladder weight

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases
TXAPA9 57,414,1981
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 41250 mg/kg/24W- continuousKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Urine volume increased
TXAPA9 3,560,1961
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 187500 mg/kg/750D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field
HPV144 -,-,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 27664 mg/kg/104W- intermittentBlood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other
HPV144 -,-,2003
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 82264 mg/kg/104W- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other
HPV144 -,-,2003

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.2 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAJMEAZ 38,409,1965
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 763,36,2014
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 201,152,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 265,106,2017

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATIONFEREAC 54,7740,1989
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDESCancelledRBREV* -,162,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3)DTLVS* 3,94,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 0.6 ppm (3.8 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.6 ppm (4 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.26 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 2 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 0.4 ppm (2.5 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.2 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 1 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO DIPHENYL-air10H time-weighted average 0.2 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 27590; Number of Industries 20; Total Number of Facilities 2220; Number of Occupations 36; Total Number of Employees Exposed 32003; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 3708
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 27590; Number of Industries 10; Total Number of Facilities 281; Number of Occupations 29; Total Number of Employees Exposed 10589

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: In vitro UDS-human fibroblast; In vitro UDS in rat liver
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: S cerevisiae-homozygosis
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive/dose response: In vitro SCE-nonhuman
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULEFEREAC 47,26992,82
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Diphenyl, 2530
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018