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Chemical Name: 4-Cresol
Synonyms: p-Cresol, para-Cresol
CAS Number: 106-44-5
Physical Form: Colorless to pale yellow crystals or liquid with a distinct, medicinal odor
Chemical Formula: C7H8O
Molecular Weight: 108.14 g/mol
Use: Found in disinfectants, antiseptics, resins, and dyes. Regularly seen in chemical manufacturing and lab work. Knowing exactly what you’re handling helps flag risks before trouble starts.
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation), Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Serious Eye Damage/Irritation, Specific Target Organ Toxicity
Hazard Pictograms: Skull and Crossbones, Exclamation Mark, Corrosion
Signal Word: Danger
Health Hazards: Ingesting or inhaling can damage internal organs and cause respiratory distress. Skin or eye contact burns tissue and can cause lasting injury. Vapor exposure might trigger dizziness, headaches, and signs of poisoning.
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life. Wastewater and spills can disrupt environmental balance.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, fumes, or vapor. Wear protective gear and wash thoroughly after contact. Be conscious of its presence in shared spaces where everyone’s safety matters.
Substance: 4-Cresol (≥98%)
Impurities: Trace cresols or phenolic analogues may exist, but generally pure when purchased for industrial or laboratory work.
Narrative: Understanding the main component and what trace impurities tag along matters because allergies and sensitivities flare up fast. The more exact the composition, the more effective the precautions.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes immediately with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses. Getting prompt medical advice saves eyesight.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical help without delay. Skin absorption can be serious, so act quickly.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Keep the airways clear. If breathing is difficult, oxygen or artificial ventilation may help while medical help is en route.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; don’t induce vomiting. Attend to medical emergencies immediately—internal exposure can become life-threatening.
Notes for Responders: Medical professionals need to know the nature of 4-Cresol exposure for targeted treatment. Avoid unprotected rescue to prevent secondary contamination.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam. Water spray works for cooling but isn’t always enough for large fires.
Fire Hazards: Heating produces toxic gases and irritating vapors. Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full protective clothing and self-contained breathing gear.
Special Considerations: Keep run-off from entering waterways. Treat every chemical blaze as a hazardous event—think before acting and contain the scene.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel and ventilate the area. Direct contact puts health on the line.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers or waterways. Small mistakes can contaminate larger ecosystems.
Cleanup Methods: Wear impervious gloves and safety goggles. Absorb spills with inert material—vermiculate, sand—not sweeping powder, as this can increase dust in the air. Collect and label waste properly.
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with soap and water after removing chemical residues.
Disposal: Gather using clean tools and seal in secure containers for hazardous waste collection.
Handling: Work in well-ventilated areas. Keep chemical containers tightly closed. Wear protective gloves, goggles, and appropriate respirators.
Storage: Store away from acids, oxidizers, or direct sunlight. Keep in a cool, dry, and locked cabinet reserved for toxic or hazardous chemicals.
Workplace Practices: Every worker should know what 4-Cresol looks and smells like. Post safety rules and emergency contacts in plain view. Routine training changes habits and offers real protection.
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods, local exhaust, or mechanical ventilation. Don’t skimp on air quality—airborne 4-Cresol can do real harm.
Exposure Limits: Limit values exist. OSHA and ACGIH may recommend ceiling limits around 5 ppm (skin), but check latest resources for accurate data.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles or face shields, and suitable respirators for vapor exposure. Protective clothing prevents skin contact.
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking near work areas. Regularly change contaminated clothing. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Eye Wash and Showers: Accessible emergency stations belong in any space handling 4-Cresol.
Appearance: Colorless to yellowish crystals or liquid, distinctive phenolic odor
Melting Point: About 35–37°C
Boiling Point: Approx. 201–203°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in cold water, readily miscible with alcohol and ether
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Flash Point: About 81°C
Other Features: The strong smell and solid-to-liquid shift at room temperature are easy identifiers. Workers should recognize these shifts as possible exposure risks, especially during warm days or storage issues.
Chemical Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions—changes when heated or mixed with oxidizers.
Reactivity: Reacts violently with strong acids, oxidizers, and bases.
Decomposition Products: May break down into toxic carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and phenolic fumes.
Special Precautions: Never heat or handle near open flames. Avoid creating vapor or dust clouds—these small oversights bring big danger.
Storage Compatibility: Keep separate from incompatible substances to prevent accidental reactions.
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Effects: Burns skin and eyes. Breathing in high vapor levels causes headaches, nausea, confusion, and even unconsciousness. Swallowing can lead to deadly poisoning.
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure may affect liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Skin contact can cause persistent dermatitis.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic based on current research, but repeated contact isn’t safe.
Other Health Effects: Asthma, allergies, and respiratory conditions worsen around this chemical. Any sign of trouble needs spotlighting, not downplaying—everyone at risk deserves the right response.
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms—small spills build up fast in environments without fast dilution.
Persistence and Degradability: Not fast to break down, especially without enough sunlight or biological activity.
Bioaccumulation: Can accumulate in aquatic life if not dispersed quickly.
Mobility: Moves through water and soil, posing a risk to water sources.
Environmental Impact: Preventing release is easier than cleaning it up later. Treatment and proper containment trump after-the-fact regret every time.
Waste Management: Treat as hazardous waste. Use clearly labeled, sealed containers. Basic trash handling doesn’t apply—designated hazardous chemical disposal services handle the job right.
Pre-Treatment: Neutralize if permitted, but only with expert supervision. Don’t pour down drains or mix with household waste.
Recycling: Sometimes possible for factories with specialized systems, but not for general workplaces.
Legal Compliance: Follow national and local rules—environmental fines and personal harm lose nobody wins.
UN Number: UN2076
Proper Shipping Name: Cresols, Liquid
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: II
DOT, IMDG, IATA: Regulated as a toxic substance by ground, sea, or air. Special handling, secure packaging, and detailed documentation required for transport.
Worker Responsibility: Know the packaging and paperwork—shortcuts here invite danger in transit. Communicate clearly during dispatch and receipt, every time.
International and National Listings: Recognized as a hazardous ingredient on key chemical inventories, including the US TSCA and similar global registers.
Workplace Exposure: Subject to OSHA, ACGIH, and other country-specific worker safety statutes.
Environmental Control: Included in water and air quality legislation. Disposal and emissions must meet strict standards.
Labeling: GHS and local workplace rules spell out hazard labels—never skip regulatory basics.
Worker Training: Regulations demand up-to-date, documented training for anyone at risk of exposure.
