<< Back to Chemical Sampling Information

Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
Search (use word(s)/phrase)
Table of Contents
By Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

By CAS Number
Quick Links
General Description

Synonyms: n-Butanol; Butyl alcohol; 1-Butanol; Propylcarbinol; BA

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0460

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 71-36-3

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: EO1400000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1120 129

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - n-Butyl Alcohol: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - General Industry
See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1

100 ppm
(300 mg/m3) TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, nose, and upper respiratory irritation

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A

100 ppm
(300 mg/m3) TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, nose, and upper respiratory irritation

OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment
See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards

100 ppm
(300 mg/m3) TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, nose, and upper respiratory irritation

 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

50 ppm
(150 mg/m3) Ceiling

Skin

HE4

Corneal inflammation, blurred vision

HE7

Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
Target organs: Brain, CNS

HE15

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; dermatitis

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2002)

20 ppm
(61 mg/m3) TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, nose, and upper respiratory irritation

CAL/OSHA PEL

50 ppm
(150 mg/m3) Ceiling

Skin

 

 

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 1,400 ppm (10% LEL)

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. At temperatures above 29°C, explosive vapor/air mixtures may be formed (NIOSH/IPCS 2005).
  2. While the systemic toxicity of n-butyl alcohol itself is low, it may potentiate the toxicity of other compounds, such as carbon tetrachloride, to become a hepatotoxin (ACGIH 2002).

Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - n-Butanol. 2002.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for n-Butyl Alcohol. 1992.
  • NIOSH/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - 1-Butanol. April 19, 2005.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide/Isopropanol
    alternative solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide
    alternative solvent: (95:5) Methylene Chloride/Methanol
    maximum volume: 10 Liters   
    maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
    maximum volume: 5 Liters   
    maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (Ceiling)
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NIOSH 1401 [24 KB PDF, 4 pages])
    method classification: Fully Validated

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: AUER/MSA
    model/type: Ethanol-100, MSA P/N 804136, AUER P/N 5086-818
    sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
    upper measurement limit: 3900 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 50 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type: Alcohol 25/a, order no. 81 01631
    sampling information: 10 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 5000 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 50 ppm
    overall uncertainty: approximately 41%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Gastec
    model/type: 114
    sampling information: 3 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 150 ppm
    detection limit: 1 ppm
    overall uncertainty: 25% for 2.5 to 30 ppm, 16% for 30 to 150 ppm
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
    model/type: 8014-189U
    sampling information: 2 or 4 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 300 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 4 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

** All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.