Dinitrobenzene (o-, m-, p-isomers)

CAS number: 528-29-0 (o-isomer), 99–65–0 (m-isomer), 100-25-4 (p-isomer)

NIOSH REL: 1 mg/m³ TWA [skin]

Current OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m³ TWA [skin]

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³ (0.15 ppm) TWA [skin]

Description of Substance: Pale-white or yellow solid.

LEL:. . Unknown

Original (SCP) IDLH: 200 mg/m³

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: No data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base an IDLH for dinitrobenzene. The chosen IDLH, therefore, has been estimated from the statement by Deichmann and Gerarde [1969] that the probable lethal oral dose for an adult is 2 grams.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Lethal dose data:

Species	Reference	Route	LD50 (mg/kg)	LDLo (mg/kg)	Adjusted LD	Derived value
p-isomer Cat	Spector 1955	oral	-----	29	203 mg/m3	20 mg/m3
m-isomer Rat Rabbit	Kitchens et al. 1978 Kitchens et al. 1978	oral oral	83 -----	----- 400	581 mg/m3 2,800 mg/m3	58 mg/m3 280 mg/m3

Human data: The probable lethal oral dose has been reported to be 2 grams [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969]. [Note: An oral dose of 2 grams is equivalent to a worker being exposed to about 1,300 mg/m³ for 30 minutes, assuming a breathing rate of 50 liters per minute and 100% absorption.]

Revised IDLH: 50 mg/m3 Basis for revised IDLH: No inhalation toxicity data are available on which to base an IDLH for dinitrobenzene. Therefore, the revised IDLH for dinitrobenzene is 50 mg/m3 based on acute oral toxicity data in humans [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969].

REFERENCES:

1. Deichmann WB, Gerarde HW [1969]. Dinitrobenzenes. In: Toxicology of drugs and chemicals. New York, NY: Academic Press, Inc., pp. 226-227.

2. Kitchens JF, Harward WE III, Lauter DM, Wentsel RS, Valentine RS [1978]. Preliminary problem definition of 48 munitions-related chemicals. Vol. 1. Explosives related chemicals. Alexandria, VA: Atlantic Research Corporation, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command Contract No. DAMD17-77-C-7057.

3. Spector WS, ed. [1955]. Handbook of toxicology. Vol. 1. Acute toxicities of solids, liquids and gases to laboratory animals. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., pp. 116-117.