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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: 1,2-Benzophenanthrene; Benzo(alpha)phenanthrene; 1,2,5,6-dibensonaphtalene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0692

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 218-01-9

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: GC0700000

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
white crystals
molecular formula: C18H12
molecular weight: 228.28
boiling point: 448°C
melting point: 254°C
Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- See Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- See Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- See Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): Exposure by all routes should be carefully controlled to levels as low as possible. Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): Appendix C - Supplementary Exposure Limits

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Group B2, probable human carcinogen

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans [708 KB PDF, 87 pages]
Potential Symptoms: Skin irritation with rash or sunburn (if exposed to sunlight) [potential occupational carcinogen]

Health Effects: (Not established in humans separate from PAH mixtures).

Affected Organs: Skin, respiratory system

Notes:
  1. Chrysene is one of many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) found in cigarette smoke, coal tar pitch volatiles, coke oven emissions and diesel exhaust.
  2. In mice, chrysene was weaker than benzo[a]pyrene in activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) in liver and lung to induce the synthesis of messenger RNAs for cytochrome P-450 1A1 and 1B1.
  3. In human prostate cancer cells, chrysene (and benzo[a]pyrene) partially inhibited the dihydrotestosterone-induced production of prostate-specific antigen protein and its mRNA, indicating an anti-androgenic effect from interaction with AhR.
  4. Administered i.p., chrysene caused liver and lung tumors, as well as malignant lymphoma, in mice. Dermal exposure caused skin carcinomas in mice.
  5. A dose-dependent lung tumor incidence was found for chrysene injected into the lungs of rats.
  6. The urinary excretion profiles of the monohydroxy and dihydroxy metabolites of some PAHs, including chrysene, have been reported for individual coke plant workers.
Date Last Revised: 12/15/2005

Literature Basis:
  • U.S. EPA Integrated Risk Information System: Chrysene (CASRN 218-01-9).
  • Grimmer, G., Jacob, J., Dettbarn, G. and Naujack, K.-W.: Determination of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) for the risk assessment of PAH-exposed workers. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 69(4): 231-239, 1997.
  • Kizu, R., et al.: A role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the antiandrogenic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cells. Arch. Toxicol. 77(6): 335-343, 2003.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Chrysene. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 632-634.
  • Shimada, T., et al.: Arylhydrocarbon receptor-dependent induction of liver and lung cytochromes P450 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in genetically engineered C57BL/6J mice. Carcinogenesis 23(7): 1199-1207, 2002.
  • Wenzel-Hartung, R., Brune, H., Grimmer, G., Germann, P., Timm, J. and Wosniok, W.: Evaluation of the carcinogenic potency of 4 environmental polycyclic aromatic compounds following intrapulmonary application in rats. Exp. Pathol. 40(4): 221-7, 1990.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Glass Fiber Filter (37 mm)
    analytical solvent: Benzene
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV/FLU
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 58)
    method classification: Fully Validated (In conjunction with Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles and Coke Oven Emissions.)
    note: After sampling,filter must be transferred to a vial with a Teflon-lined cap. Sample must be protected from direct sunlight.
    note: Chrysene is a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon that OSHA has identified as one of a number of typical components of the benzene-soluble fraction of coal tar pitch volatiles. Other components include anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, phenanthrene, acridine, and pyrene. There is no specific OSHA PEL for chrysene. Chrysene is characteristic of cold tar pitch volatiles (PEL is 0.2 mg/m3) and/or coke oven emissions (PEL is 0.15 mg/m3).
Bulk Method: Limit the amount of bulk submitted to one gram or one mL.

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Page last updated: 03/26/2007

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