2,4-dichlorophenol

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

The Toxnet website includes a number of exposure related observations regarding 2,4-dichlorophenol. The attached toxnet file gives additional details.

Additional information

The Toxnet website (the downloaded file is attached) includes a number of examples of human experiences with 2,4 -dichlorophenol.
Signs and symptoms following ingestion include burning pain in the mouth and throat; white necrotic lesions in mouth, oesophagus and stomach; abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea; pallor, sweating, weakness, headache, dizziness, tinnitus; shock; weak irregular pulse, hypotension, shallow respiration, cyanosis, pallor, and a profound fall in body temperature; possibly fleeting excitement and confusion, followed by unconsciousness; stertorous breathing, mucous rales, rhonchi, frothing at nose and mouth and other signs of pulmonary oedema are sometimes seen; characteristic odour of phenol on the breath; scanty, dark-colored urine and moderately severe renal insufficiency may appear; methemoglobinemia, Heinz body haemolytic anaemia and hyperbilirubinemia have been reported; death from respiratory, circulatory or cardiac failure.

If spilled on skin, pain is followed promptly by numbness; the skin becomes blanched and a dry opaque eschar forms over the burn.

A number of case studies have also been reported :-

eg, in 1998, a 29-year-old man employed at a chemical company producing 2,4-D was sprayed with 2,4-DCP from a leak in tubing while he was using steam to clear a blocked pump. The worker bypassed the nearest safety shower and used a locker room shower, where he became unconscious. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the worker was pronounced dead at a hospital 1 hour after exposure. Skin surfaces exposed to 2,4-DCP included his forearms, right knee, right thigh, and face. Except for chemical burns on his face and extremities and pulmonary oedema, the autopsy findings were unremarkable. 2,4-DCP was found in his blood (7.2 mg/L free 2,4-DCP, 13.1 mg/L total 2,4-DCP) and urine (4.8 mg/L free 2,4-DCP, 6.2 mg/L total 2,4-DCP). Death was attributed to acute dichlorophenol intoxication.

eg In 1991, a 33-year-old man working at a factory was splattered over portions of his right thigh and arm with pure liquid 2,4-DCP while disposing of industrial waste. He walked away from the scene and washed himself with water without undressing. He experienced a seizure, collapsed within 20 minutes of exposure and died after unsuccessful attempts at resuscitation. 2,4-DCP was found in his blood (24.3 mg/L), urine (5.3 mg/L), bile (18.7 mg/L), and stomach (1.2 mg/L).

Additional case study examples and other background data on 2,4-dichlorophenol can be found in the attached document.