tert-Butyl acetate

CAS number: 540–88–5

NIOSH REL: 200 ppm (950 mg/m³) TWA

Current OSHA PEL: 200 ppm (950 mg/m³) TWA

1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 200 ppm (950 mg/m³) TWA

Description of Substance: Colorless liquid with a fruity odor.

LEL: . . 1.5% (10% LEL, 1,500 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 10,000 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with n-butyl acetate for which an IDLH of 10,000 ppm was chosen. No other data on acute inhalation toxicity are available on which to base the IDLH for tert-butyl acetate.

Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

Animal data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH.

Human data: Exposures of 200 to 300 ppm cause slight irritation of the eyes and nose, and short exposures to 3,300 ppm cause extreme irritation of the eyes and nose [ILO 1983].

Revised IDLH: 1,500 ppm [LEL] Basis for revised IDLH: Based on health considerations, acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [ILO 1983], and an analogy to n-butyl acetate, a value of about 2,500 ppm would have been appropriate for tert-butyl acetate. However, the revised IDLH for tert-butyl acetate is 1,500 ppm based strictly on safety considerations (i.e., being 10% of the lower explosive limit of 1.5%).

REFERENCE:

1. ILO [1983]. Butyl acetate. In: Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety. Third (revised) edition. Vol. I (A-K). Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, pp. 782-783.