Chlorophenylmethane.Documentation of suggested occupational exposure limits (OELs)

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Chlorophenylmethane.Documentation of suggested occupational exposure limits (OELs)

Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2014, Vol 30, Issue 3

Abstract

Chlorophenylmethane, commonly known as, benzyl chloride is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid and pungent odor. It is a synthetic product obtained due to the reaction between gas chloride and toluene in the presence of light acting as a catalyst (radical addition reaction). There is multi-tonne production of benzyl chloride. In 1995 benzyl chloride was produced in 16 countries. No information about the Polish production of this compound is available. The 2010 records do not mention workers employed at workstations with benzyl chloride concentra-tions exceeding the binding maximum admissible concentration (MAC) of 3 mg/m[sup]3[/sup]. Benzyl chloride is used, inter alia, in the manufacture of butylbenzyl phthalate flexibilizers and benzyl-cellulose. This compound is a semi-product used in the production of triphenylmethane dyes and tanning agents. It is also used in the production of benzyl alcohol and its derivatives used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, perfume and food industries. Occupational exposure to benzyl chloride may occur during its production and use. Benzyl chloride is absorbed from the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. In the body, it couples with glutathione, undergoes hydrolytic dechlo-rination and further oxidation to benzene car-boxylic acid. The produced metabolites are excreted mainly with urine (about 76% of a given dose) during 72 h after exposure.There are no literature data on the developmental toxicity of benzyl chloride and its effects on human reproduction, whereas animal studies yielded controversial results on the potential embryotoxic effect of the compound. Irritating effects on the eyes and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract have been recognized as the critical effects of benzyl chloride. The results of two experiments have been adopted as the basis for determining the MAC value for benzyl chloride. In the first experiment, the compound concentration of 88 mg/m3 responsible for a 50% decrease in the respiratory rate (RD50) of Swiss mice was considered. The mean value of the coefficient determining the MAC value on the RD50 value is 1/30, therefore, the calculated MAC value is about 3 mg/m3. In the other experiment, the results of a 104-day investigation of rats exposed intragastrically to doses of 0, 15 or 30 mg/kg body mass/day/3 days/week/104 days were the basis for determining the MAC value. A dose of 15 mg/kg body mass/day was adopted as the value of no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). This value was then used to calculate the equivalent air concentration of the compound for humans. After using coefficients of uncertainty, the concentration of 3 mg/m3 as the MAC value for benzyl chloride has been proposed. As benzyl chloride demonstrates an irritating effect on the skin and respiratory tract, the value of short-term exposure level (STEL) has also been established. It was proposed to adopt the concentration of 9 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] as the maximum admissible STEL. The standard has been labeled “Sk” indicating dermal absorption of the substance in view of the DL[sub]50[/sub] value after dermal administration of a dose of 1000 mg/kg body mass, “I” (substance of irritating effect), “A” (substance of allergenic effect) and “Carc.1B” as a carcinogenic compound, category 1B.

Authors and Affiliations

ANNA KILANOWICZ, ANDRZEJ SAPOTA

Keywords

chloro(fenylo)metan toksyczność NDS NDSCh chlorophenylmethane toxicity MAC STEL

EP ID EP224617
DOI -
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