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Cyclohexane
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 110–82–7
NIOSH REL: 300 ppm (1,050 mg/m3) TWA
Current OSHA PEL: 300 ppm (1,050 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 300 ppm (1,030 mg/m3) TWA
Description of Substance: Colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor.
LEL: . . 1.3% (10% LEL, 1,300 ppm)
Original (SCP) IDLH: 10,000 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on a statement by Patty [1963] that 12,600 ppm produced evidence of lethargy, narcosis, increased respiration rate, and convulsions in animals [Treon et al. 1943]. Also, AIHA [1963] reported that 9,300 ppm for 30 minutes resulted in restlessness, impaired coordination, and exhaustion, but no narcosis or deaths in cats, rabbits, and pigs [Flury and Zernik 1931].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50(ppm) | LCLo(ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hrLC (CF) | Derivedvalue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MouseRabbit | Lazarew 1929Treon et al. 1943 | ———- | 17,14226,600 | 2 hr1 hr | 27,429 ppm (1.6)33,250 ppm (1.25) | 2,743 ppm3,325 ppm |
Lethal dose data:
| Species | Reference | Route | LD50(mg/kg) | LDLo(mg/kg) | Adjusted LD | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RatMouse | Kimura et al. 1971NPIRI 1974 | oraloral | 12,705813 | ———- | 25,410 ppm1,626 ppm | 2,541 ppm163 ppm |
Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.
| Revised IDLH: 1,300 ppm [LEL]Basis for revised IDLH: Based on health considerations and acute inhalation toxicity data in animals [Lazarew 1929; Treon et al. 1943], a value of about 3,000 ppm would have been appropriate. However, the revised IDLH for cyclohexane is 1,300 ppm based strictly on safety considerations (i.e., being 10% of the lower explosive limit of 1.3%). |
REFERENCES:
1. AIHA [1963]. Cyclohexane. In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 24:529-531.
2. Flury F, Zernik F [1931]. Schädliche gase dämpfe, nebel, rauch- und staubarten. Berlin, Germany: Verlag von Julius Springer, p. 275 (in German).
3. Kimura ET, Ebert DM, Dodge PW [1971]. Acute toxicity and limits of solvent residue for sixteen organic solvents. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 19:699-704.
4. Lazarew NW [1929]. On the toxicity of various hydrocarbon vapors. Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 143:223-233 (in German). [From Treon JF, Crutchfield WE Jr, Kitzmiller KV [1943]. The physiological response of animals to cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, and certain derivatives of these compounds. II. Inhalation. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 25(8):323-347.]
5. 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. 17.
6. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 1210.
7. Treon JF, Crutchfield WE Jr, Kitzmiller KV [1943]. The physiological response of animals to cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, and certain derivatives of these compounds. II. Inhalation. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 25(8):323-347.