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Chemical Name: 3,4-Xylenol
Synonyms: 3,4-Dimethylphenol
Molecular Formula: C8H10O
CAS Number: 95-65-8
Physical Description: Solid or viscous liquid with a sharp, phenolic odor. Appears as colorless to light yellow crystalline flakes. Known to dissolve in organic solvents and partly in water.
Main Risks: Causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Inhalation triggers coughing and can worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions. Prolonged exposure harms liver and kidneys. Flammable, toxic to aquatic life.
Hazard Categories: Acute toxicity, skin corrosion, serious eye damage, dangerous to the environment, fire hazard.
Key Warning Signs: Burning sensation upon contact, coughing or chest tightness after inhaling dust or vapor, redness and swelling of eyes or skin on exposure.
Main Component: 3,4-Xylenol
Purity: Typically over 95% in most technical applications
Impurities: Can include trace phenol derivatives or other methylphenols depending on manufacturing route
Mixtures: Not usually mixed with diluents when handled in laboratory or industrial settings
Inhalation: Move affected person into fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms such as difficulty breathing or persistent cough appear.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, immediately wash skin with plenty of water and soap. Do not delay treatment, as 3,4-Xylenol penetrates the skin rapidly.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, hold eyelids open; remove contact lenses if possible, call a doctor.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth, drink water if conscious and alert, seek immediate medical help, as this chemical can cause systemic toxicity.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Water may cool containers but spreads material if not managed correctly.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Emits toxic fumes including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and possibly irritating phenolic vapors.
Firefighting Protection: Firefighters need proper personal protection, including full-face respirators and chemical-resistant clothing.
Explosion Risk: Dust-air mixtures can catch fire. Containers exposed to heat may rupture.
Personal Precautions: Avoid skin and eye contact, wear gloves and goggles, ensure good ventilation.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spills with inert material like sand or soil, shovel into proper waste containers. Use nonsparking tools to prevent fire.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into waterways as 3,4-Xylenol is toxic to aquatic organisms. Report significant spills to local authorities.
Containment: Limit area and keep unauthorized personnel away until cleaned up.
Handling Advice: Keep containers tightly closed, handle in well-ventilated places, minimize dust or vapor generation. Change contaminated work clothing right away.
Storage Conditions: Store away from heat, open flames, oxidizing materials, and moisture. Use corrosion-resistant shelves and secondary containment bins.
Incompatibilities: Keep separated from strong acids, alkalis, and oxidizing agents, which can trigger violent reactions or release toxic gases.
Transfer Precautions: Use proper equipment designed for hazardous chemicals, ground all containers to reduce static discharge issues.
Workplace Limits: No established OSHA PEL; ACGIH recommends 5 ppm (TWA) for similar compounds but employers should use the lowest practical exposure.
Protective Equipment: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, splash goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, respiratory protection in the form of organic vapor cartridges if vapor exposure occurs.
Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, sealed process equipment, and regular leak monitoring offer real reductions in exposure levels in the workplace.
Hygiene: Wash hands before breaks and after handling, no food or drink in contaminated zones.
Appearance: Light yellow solid, sharp phenol-like odor
Melting Point: Approximately 51°C
Boiling Point: Roughly 220°C
Flash Point: 102°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Moderately soluble in hot water, more soluble in organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Lower than water at ambient temperature (less than 1 mm Hg at 25°C)
pH: Weak acid, not strongly dissociated in water
Density: Around 1.03 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): Around 2.2
Chemical Stability: Stable under most normal storage and processing conditions.
Decomposition: Degrades under strong heating or exposure to acids/bases, releasing hazardous gases.
Incompatible Conditions: Avoid strong oxidizers, strong acids, and alkali materials; incompatible with nitrites and nitrates which may form nitrophenols.
Routes of Exposure: Commonly through inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.
Short-Term Effects: Eye and respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, systemic toxicity with sustained exposure.
Long-Term Effects: Chronic organ damage, particularly to liver and kidneys, skin sensitization in some users.
Animal Studies: Rat studies report high acute toxicity; LD50 values are lower compared to other xylenol isomers, showing that moderate doses can cause tissue damage.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC, OSHA, or NTP.
Environmental Fate: Persists in soil and water, does not degrade quickly. Can move through groundwater and reach aquatic systems.
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and invertebrates; concentrations as low as a few mg/L cause acute harm.
Impact on Plants and Wildlife: May inhibit plant root growth and harm beneficial soil microorganisms.
Bioaccumulation: Moderate risk; may concentrate in aquatic organisms if discharges go uncontrolled.
Degradation: Eventually breaks down in the environment but lingers long enough to raise concern in case of a spill.
Best Practices: Incinerate at permitted chemical waste facilities, never pour down the drain or throw in regular trash.
Legal Controls: Disposal must follow federal and local hazardous waste rules; improper handling can result in significant fines.
Contaminated Packaging: Clean thoroughly before recycling or manage as hazardous waste.
Reuse: Not recommended due to risks of cross-contamination.
Shipping Name: 3,4-Xylenol
Hazard Class: Class 6.1 (Toxic substances) based on UN guidance
Packaging: Use tightly-sealed, corrosion-resistant drums; label clearly as hazardous
Precautions in Transit: Keep separate from food, flammables, oxidizers, and out of direct sunlight; secure against tipping or leaks.
Hazard Communication: Must carry hazard labeling according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Environmental Restrictions: Subject to restrictions under local clean water and clean air rules due to aquatic toxicity.
Worker Safety: Employers must provide training, maintain safety data sheets on site, and ensure access to emergency medical support.
Reporting: Handle significant spills or worker poisoning cases as reportable events under right-to-know laws in many countries.
