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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: alpha-(2-(2-Butoxyethoxyl)ethoxy)-4,5-Methylenedioxy-2-Propyltoluene; butyl carbitol 6-propylpiperonyl ether; Butacide; 6-Propylpiperonyl Butyl Diethylene Glycol Ether

OSHA IMIS Code Number: P209

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 51-03-6

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: XS8050000

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
molecular formula: C19H30O5
molecular weight: 338.43
flash point: 171°C

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans [98 KB PDF, 37 pages]
Potential Symptoms: Eye, nose, respiratory, skin irritation; INGES ACUTE: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea.

Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, nose, skin---Mild (HE16).

Affected Organs: Eyes, skin, GI tract

Notes:
  1. OSHA does not have a PEL for piperonyl butoxide.
  2. Piperonyl butoxide is usually mixed with pyrethrins and related insecticides to inhibit their metabolism by cytochrome P-450 mixed-function oxidases, and thus could inhibit the metabolism of many drugs.
  3. It is highly toxic to fish and aquatic organisms and bioaccumulates in them, including those consumed as seafood.
  4. The half-life for urinary excretion of radioactivity from [14C]-piperonyl butoxide in a commercial head lice treatment formulation applied for 30 minutes on human forearm skin is 32 hours.
Date Last Revised: 11/08/2004

Literature Basis:
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Piperonyl butoxide.
  • Prentiss Incorporated: Prentox® Piperonyl Butoxide Technical Material Safety Data Sheet, 1998, 4 pp.
  • Wester, R.C., Bucks, D.A.W. and Maibach, H.I.: Human in vivo percutaneous absorption of pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide. Food Chem. Toxicol. 32(1): 51-53, 1994.
  • [No authors listed]: Piperonyl butoxide. IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risk Chem. Hum. 30: 183-195, 1983.

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: OVS-2 Tube (13mm GFF followed by 270/140 mg sections XAD-2 resin)
    analytical solvent: Methanol
    maximum volume: 30 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA PV2110)
    method classification: Partially Validated

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Page last updated: 06/14/2005

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