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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Phenylethane; Ethylbenzol; Ethylbenzene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1080

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 100-41-4

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: DA0700000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 1175 130

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Ethyl Benzene: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazard Summary - Ethylbenzene: Uses, sources and potential exposure, acute and chronic health hazard information, 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
(435 mg/m3)
TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, and throat irritation

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55

100 ppm
(435 mg/m3)
TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, and throat irritation

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

100 ppm
(435 mg/m3)
TWA

HE15

Eye, skin, and throat irritation

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

100 ppm
(435 mg/m3)
TWA

125 ppm
(545 mg/m3)
STEL

HE7

Weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, or unconsciousness; depression of the central nervous system

HE8

Narcosis

HE11

Edema and hemorrhage of lung tissue

HE15

Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2011)

20 ppm
(87 mg/m3)
TWA

A3; BEI

HE3

Hearing loss (cochlear impairment)

HE3

Kidney damage

HE15

Upper respiratory tract irritation

CAL/OSHA PELs

100 ppm
(435 mg/m3) TWA

125 ppm
(545 mg/m3) STEL

HE3

Hearing loss (cochlear impairment)

HE3

Kidney damage

HE15

Upper respiratory tract irritation

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B [200 KB PDF, 40 pages] (possibly carcinogenic to humans)

EPA carcinogenic classification: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): 1 mg/m3

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): 5 ppm (acute); 2 ppm (intermediate); 0.06 ppm (chronic)

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 800 ppm

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. Ethylbenzene is highly flammable (NIOSH/IPCS 2007).
  2. Ethylbenzene was tested by inhalation exposure in single experiments in mice and rats. In mice, it increased the incidence of lung adenomas in males and of liver adenomas in females. In male rats, it increased the incidence of renal tubule adenomas and carcinomas. An increase in the incidence of renal adenomas was seen in females only after step-sectioning. (IARC 1999)
  3. The EPA reference concentration was established based on laboratory studies observing developmental deficits in rats and rabbits exposed by inhalation.
  4. The EPA carcinogen assessment was made before the IARC or NTP studies were published.
  5. Laboratory inhalation studies in rats and mice observed kidney, liver, lung and thyroid effects. (NTP 1999)
  6. The ATSDR minimal risk level is based on neurological and developmental effects.

Date Last Revised: 11/16/2012

Literature Basis:


Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    alternate solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide
    maximum volume: 12 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA)
    maximum volume: 0.25 Liter
    maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (STEL)
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA 1002)
    method classification: Fully Validated
  • sampling media: Diffusive Sampler (SKC 575-002 Passive Sampler)
    sampling time: 5 to 240 Minutes (TWA)
    analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
    current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA 1002)
    method classification: Fully Validated

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: AUER/MSA
    model/type: Tol-5, MSA P/N 803947, AUER P/N 5085-828
    sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
    upper measurement limit: 1800 ppm
    detection limit: approx. 5 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type: Ethyl Benzene 30/a, order no. 67 28381
    sampling information: 6 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 400 ppm
    detection limit: approx. 10 ppm
    overall uncertainty: 16%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Gastec
    model/type: 122L
    sampling information: 2 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 70 ppm
    detection limit: approx. 1 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
    model/type: 8014-179S
    sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
    upper measurement limit: 500 ppm
    detection limit: approx. 10 ppm
    overall uncertainty: unknown
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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