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EC number: 295-443-1 | CAS number: 92045-61-9 A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation from the product of a naphtha steam cracking process and subsequent catalytic selective hydrogenation of gum formers. It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C4 through C12 and boiling in the range of approximately 30°C to 230°C (86°F to 446°F).
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Benzene does not pose an acute hazard following ingestion (oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg), skin contact (dermal LD50 > 5000 mg/kg) or acute inhalation (4 hour LC50 >
20 mg/L) exposures.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Acute toxicity: via oral route
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- no adverse effect observed
- Dose descriptor:
- LD50
- Value:
- 2 000 mg/kg bw
- Quality of whole database:
- Studies in rats demonstrate that the oral LD50 for benzene exceeds 2000 mg/kg bw.
Acute toxicity: via inhalation route
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- no adverse effect observed
- Dose descriptor:
- LC50
- Value:
- 43 767 mg/m³ air
- Quality of whole database:
- Studies in rats demonstrate that the inhalation LC50 of benzene exceeds 20 mg/L.
Acute toxicity: via dermal route
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- no adverse effect observed
- Dose descriptor:
- LD50
- Value:
- 8 260 mg/kg bw
- Quality of whole database:
- Studies in rats demonstrate that the dermal LD50 for benzene exceeds 5000 mg/kg bw.
Additional information
Non-human information
Acute toxicity oral
An oral LD50 value in rats of > 2000 mg/kg is derived from two studies (Kimura et al, 1971; Withey and Hall, 1975). Although little information on clinical signs is included in these publications the EU RAR (2008) stated "depending on the dose the main clinical signs are sedation and hind-limb paralysis".
Acute toxicity inhalation
Acute inhalation toxicity of benzene is low with a LC50 value of 44.5 mg/L after a 4-hour exposure for rats. Death was reported to be caused by depression of the central nervous system. The main pathological findings were congestion of the lungs and liver (Drew and Fouts 1974).
Acute toxicity dermal
A dermal LD50 value of >8260 mg/kg bw for rabbits and guinea pigs was reported by Roudabush et al. (1965). No information on clinical signs or necropsy information are provided.
Acute toxicity: other route
No information available
Human information
The EU RAR (2008) reports "existing data on human accidents demonstrate that ingestion of 15 mL (176 mg/kg bw) benzene can secondarily cause death after collapse, bronchitis and pneumonia due to lung aspiration." "Exposure for 5-10 minutes to benzene vapours of 65-61 mg/L is fatal and exposure to 25 mg/L for 30 minutes is dangerous to life, while a one-hour exposure to 1.6 mg/L causes only some symptoms of illness (Gerarde, 1960)".
Justification for selection of
acute toxicity – oral endpoint
A consistent oral LD50 value in rats of > 2000 mg/kg is available
from two studies. The EU RAR concluded "depending on the dose the main
clinical signs are sedation and hind-limb paralysis".
Justification for selection of acute toxicity – inhalation endpoint
The acute inhalation toxicity of benzene is low with a LC50 of > 20
mg/L in rats following a 4-hour exposure. Death was reported to be
caused by CNS depression.
Justification for selection of acute toxicity – dermal endpoint
The acute dermal LD50 of benzene in rats is >5000 mg/kg bw.
Justification for classification or non-classification
Benzene is of low acute toxicity by the oral, inhalation and dermal routes with LD50/LC50 values exceeding the doses which would warrant classification underRegulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament.
The viscosity of benzene is low (dynamic 0.604 mPa s at 25°C) and is expected to have a surface tension of 33mN/m at 25°C) which justifies classification as harmful and should be labelled under Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 "Aspiration toxicity Category 1, H304".
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