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Chemical Name: 2-Chloro-3-methylphenol
Synonyms: 2-Chloro-m-cresol, o-Chloro-m-cresol
Chemical Formula: C7H7ClO
CAS Number: 87-60-5
Classification: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, hazardous to the aquatic environment
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Environment
Acute Health Hazards: Eye and respiratory tract irritant, skin irritant, can cause systemic toxicity by ingestion
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life, with potential for long-term effects in aquatic systems
Main Component: 2-Chloro-m-cresol, concentration typically above 98%
Impurities: Minor cresol isomers possible in trace amounts (not typically considered significant for main risks)
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, seek medical attention if symptoms like headache, coughing, or dizziness develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with plenty of soap and water, seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing and consult a doctor
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention
Flammability: Relatively combustible, may emit toxic fumes when burned, such as hydrogen chloride, chlorinated organics, and phenolic compounds
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective suit and self-contained breathing apparatus
Specific Hazards: Vapors heavier than air can travel and may cause flashback, containers near fire should be cooled with water
Personal Precautions: Avoid direct contact with skin or eyes, use appropriate personal protective equipment to control inhalation of dust or vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains or surface water, collect spillage to reduce risk to aquatic systems
Cleanup Methods: Collect and contain spillage with inert absorbent material like sand or earth, place in suitable container for disposal, ventilate area thoroughly
Handling: Minimize dust formation, avoid inhalation and skin contact, keep containers tightly closed, use only with adequate ventilation
Storage: Keep locked away in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, store in original container, keep away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and bases
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended limits
Personal Protection: Safety goggles, protective gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical-resistant apron, appropriate respiratory protection where ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after use, do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling
Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Phenolic, medicinal
Melting Point: Around 69-72°C
Boiling Point: Approximately 225°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in alcohol and organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Density: Around 1.3 g/cm3
pH: Weakly acidic in solution
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, direct sunlight, moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong bases, reactive metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Toxic fumes of chlorine compounds, phenols, and carbon oxides if heated to decomposition
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 in rats ranges about several hundred mg/kg indicating moderate acute toxicity
Effects on Skin: Causes irritation or possible chemical burns with prolonged or repeated exposure
Effects on Eyes: Causes severe irritation possibly leading to eye damage
Chronic Exposure: Data suggest possible risk of long-term effects to liver or kidneys after repetitive or high exposure, though systematic studies in humans remain scarce
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic life, experimental evidence shows acute toxicity to fish and invertebrates at low concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Not easily biodegradable, remains in the environment for appreciable time affecting aquatic organisms
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate, risk of build-up in the food chain if released into natural waters
Mobility in Soil: Moderate tendency for movement through soil, slightly soluble in water means risk for groundwater contamination exists if handled improperly
Disposal Method: Burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber in accordance with environmental regulations, avoid uncontrolled releases
Contaminated Packaging: Cleanse thoroughly before recycling or dispose according to relevant regional rules, do not reuse empty containers unless properly decontaminated
Shipping Classification: Hazardous material under most transport regulations,
UN Number: Given flammability and toxicity, it travels as regulated chemical cargo
Proper Shipping Name: Usually shipped as “Toxic Solid, Organic, N.O.S. (contains 2-Chloro-m-cresol)” with regulatory oversight required
Packaging: Use only tested and verified chemical containers, keep labels legible and specific
GHS Classification: Regulated as harmful, environmental hazard
Chemical Inventories: Listed in most major chemical regulatory lists such as TSCA and REACH
Local/Regional Controls: Many regions enforce strict environmental release limits and workplace limits to protect worker safety and ecosystem health
