Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile, Benzonitrile [CAS® No. 100-47-0]

IDLH value: 14 ppm (66 mg/m3) Basis for IDLH value: The IDLH value is based on a lethality study in which all mice exposed to 700 ppm for 4 hours died [MacEwen and Vernot 1974]. The 30-minute duration adjusted concentration is 1,400 ppm. This value is supported by LOAEL values of 890 ppm and 900 ppm for potential escape impairing effects of poor coordination and labored breathing observed in mice and rats, respectively, following a 1-hour exposure [MacEwen and Vernot 1974]. The 30-minute duration adjusted concentrations are 1,121 and 1,134 ppm, respectively. An uncertainty factor of 100 to account for extrapolation from a concentration that is 100% lethal to animals, animal to human differences, and human variability is applied to the concentration of 1,400 ppm, resulting in an IDLH value of 14 ppm.

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile, Benzonitrile [CAS® No. 100-47-0] [PDF – 336 KB]

Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2016]. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value profile: benzonitrile. By Dotson GS, Maier A, Parker A, Haber L. Cincinnati, OH: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2017-104

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