<< 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

Synonym: 1-Methyl-4-tert-butylbenzene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0485

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 98-51-1

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: XS8400000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: UN2667 Keep Away From Food

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, p-tert-Butyltoluene: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:

colorless liquid with an aromatic odor, somewhat like gasoline
molecular weight: 148
vapor pressure: <1 mm
boiling point: 380°F
melting point: -62°F

Incompatibilities: Oxidizers

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

General Industry: 10 ppm, 60 mg/m3

Construction Industry: 10 ppm, 60 mg/m3 TWA

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 ppm, 6.1 mg/m3 TWA

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 10 ppm TWA, 20 ppm STEL

Health Factors

Potential Symptoms: Eye, skin irritation; dry nose, throat; headaches; low blood pressure, tachycardia; abnormal CVS; CNS depression; hematopoietic depression

Health Effects: CNS Damage (HE7); Nausea (HE4) Cumulative liver, kidney, cardiovascular damage (HE3)

Affected Organs: CVS, CNS, skin, bone marrow, eyes, upper respiratory system

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    maximum volume: 24 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
    maximum volume: 3 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (STEL)
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: 1 (NIOSH 1501 [135 KB PDF, 7 pages])
    sampling and analytical error: 0.11
    method classification: Partially Validated

Secondary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SAM2):

  • device: Instrumentation
    company: Infrared Spectrophotometer
    part #: MIRAN 1A & 1B
    range: 2.0 ppm @ 12.3 um
    class: Mfg

  • device: Instrumentation
    company: Infrared Spectrophotometer
    part #: MIRAN 103
    range: 0-100 ppm @ 12.3 um
    class: Mfg

** 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.