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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Cumene

RTECS #

GR8575000

CAS #

98-82-8

Updated

September 201

Molecular Weight

120.21

Molecular Formula

C9H12

Synonyms

(1-Methylethyl)benzene
2-Fenilpropano (Italian)
2-Fenyl-propaan (Dutch)
2-Phenylpropane
Benzene, (1-methylethyl)- (9CI)
Benzene, isopropyl
Cumeen (Dutch)
Cumene (ACGIH:OSHA)
Cumol
Isopropilbenzene (Italian)
Isopropyl benzene
Isopropylbenzeen (Dutch)
Isopropylbenzol
Isopropyl-benzol (German)
Propane, 2-phenyl
RCRA waste number U055

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 86 mg mildAMIHAB 14,387,1956
eye /rabbit 500 mg/24H mild85JCAE -,33,1986
skin /rabbit 10 mg/24H open irritation test mildAMIHBC 4,119,1951
skin /rabbit 100 mg/24H moderate85JCAE -,33,1986

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
mutation in microorganisms/Salmonella typhimurium100 µg/plate/3H (-enzymatic activation step)FCTOD7 40,1,2002

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 200 ppmBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Antipsychotic

Behavioral: Irritability		TGNCDL 2,39,1961
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 15300 mg/m3/2HVCVGH* -,169,1990
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 10000 mg/m3/7HVCVGH* -,169,1990
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 5150 mg/m3/2HBehavioral: General anestheticVCVGH* -,169,1990
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 10 gm/m3/7HLiver: Multiple effects

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in both tubules and glomeruli

Blood: Changes in spleen		JIHTAB 26,264,1944
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/30MLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depressionTOXID9 66,194,2002
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 300 ppm/30MLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depressionTOXID9 66,194,2002
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 8000 ppmENTOX* -,690,2005
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 39000 mg/m3/4HVCVGH* -,169,1990
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 8000 ppm/4HAMIHBC 4,119,1951
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 12750 mg/kgGISAAA 36(9),18,1971
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1400 mg/kgGastrointestinal: GastritisAMIHAB 14,387,1956
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2.9 gm/kgBehavioral: General anesthetic

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction		VCVGH* -,169,1990
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 12300 µL/kgAMIHBC 4,119,1951

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 2000 mg/m3/14W- continuousBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)VCVGH* -,170,1990
inhalation/rabbit lowest published toxic concentration: 10000 mg/m3/2H/24W- intermittentLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Blood: Hemorrhage

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count		VCVGH* -,170,1990
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 1200 ppm/6H/13W- intermittentEye: Other eye effects

Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Blood: Pigmented or nucleated red blood cells		NTIS** OTS0522342
oral/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 89628 mg/kg/194D- intermittentKidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weightVCVGH* -,169,1990

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 50 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,690,2005

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3) (skin)DTLWS* 3,14,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 25 ppm (125 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 75 ppm (375 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 20 ppm (100 mg/m3);KZW 20 ppm (250 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 20 ppm (100 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 20 ppm (100 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ECtime-weighted average 100 mg/m3 (20 ppm);short term exposure limit 250 mg/m3 (50 ppm), skin, JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 20 ppm (100 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 20 ppm (100 mg/m3), VLE 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), skin, 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 100 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 250 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 20 ppm (100 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3), skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 75 ppm (skin), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (125 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 75 ppm (375 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 25 ppm (125 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 50 ppm (246 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 100 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 350 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 50 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 150 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 25 ppm (120 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 35 ppm (170 mg/m3), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 100 mg/m3, Skin, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 25 ppm (125 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 50 ppm (250 mg/m3), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (245 mg/m3) (skin)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CUMENE-air10H time-weighted average 50 ppm (Sk)NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 20850; Number of Industries 15; Total Number of Facilities 1199; Number of Occupations 24; Total Number of Employees Exposed 14268; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 2760
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 20850; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 24; Number of Occupations 8; Total Number of Employees Exposed 669

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Histidine reversion-Ames test; S cerevisiae-homozygosis
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Hydrocarbons, aromatic, 1501
NTP Carcinogenesis studies; on test (prechronic studies), October 2000
On EPA IRIS database

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