| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
100516
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| Synonyms | Benzyl alcohol |
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Benzenemethanol |
| Analytical Method |
EPA Method 8250A |
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| Molecular Formula | C7H8O |
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| Use | MANUFACTURE OF OTHER BENZYL CMPD; SOLVENT FOR CELLULOSE
ACETATE; IN PERFUMERY & IN FLAVORING; SOLVENT FOR GELATIN, CASEIN
(WHEN HOT), & SHELLAC; IN MICROSCOPY AS EMBEDDING MATERIAL
MEDICATION (VET): HAS BEEN USED FOR RELIEF OF PRURITUS
AS A LACQUER SOLVENT & PLASTICIZER
Photographic developer for color movie films; dyeing nylon filament, textiles & sheet plastics;
heat-sealing polyethylene films; intermediate for benzyl esters and ethers; ball point pen inks;
stencil inks
PRESERVATIVE IN OPHTHALMIC PREPN
Medication: It is used as a preservative in newborn medication such as bacteriostatic saline,
heparin, phenobarbital injection, pancuronium, aquamephyton, and neonatal trace metal soln.
Degreasing agent in rug cleaners. Used for the preservation of aqueous and oily parenteral
drugs, in cough syrups, ointments, ophthalmic, burn, and dental solutions, insect ointments and
repellents, and dermatological aerosol sprays. It is used as a solvent for dyestuffs. Benzyl alcohol
is used in cosmetics, such as nail lacquers and hair dyes.
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| Consumption Patterns | 60% IS USED IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY AS A DYE ASSISTANT (MOSTLY
FOR DYEING NYLON CARPETING); AND 40% IS USED IN OTHER APPLICATIONS
(1972)
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| Apparent Color | WATER-WHITE LIQ
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| Odor | FAINT AROMATIC ODOR
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| Boiling Point | 204.7 DEG C
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| Melting Point | -15.19 DEG C
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| Molecular Weight | 108.13
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| Density | 1.04535 @ 20 DEG C/4 DEG C
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| Odor Threshold Concentration | 5.5 ppm
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| Sensitivity Data | It is slightly irritating to the skin .
Vapor: Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. Liquid: Irritating to skin & eyes.
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| Environmental Impact | Benzyl alcohol may enter the environment through fugitive emissions during its
production, and during its formulation and use in commercial products. It may also enter the
environment from the exhaust of motor vehicles. If released to soil, benzyl alcohol is expected to
display high mobility and readily leach through soil. Volatilization from dry soil to the atmosphere
may be an important fate process; however, it is not expected to be an important process in moist
soils. Microbial degradation in soil may occur, based on limited data. If released to water, benzyl
alcohol is expected to undergo microbial degradation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Neither volatilization to the atmosphere, hydrolysis, direct photolytic degradation, chemical
oxidation, bioconcentration in fish and aquatic organisms, nor adsorption to sediment and
suspended organic matter are expected to be significant processes in environmental waters. In the
atmosphere, benzyl alcohol is expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor phase. The estimated
half-life for the vapor phase reaction of benzyl alcohol with photochemically produced hydroxyl
radicals is 2 days. Its water solubility suggests that benzyl alcohol may undergo deposition to the
surface by rain washout and other wet deposition processes. Occupational exposure to benzyl
alcohol may occur by dermal contact and inhalation during its production or formulation. Benzyl
alcohol finds use in numerous consumer products which may result in exposure by dermal
contact, inhalation, or ingestion during their use.
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| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: If released to soil, benzyl alcohol is expected to display high
mobility and readily leach through soil(1,2,3). Microbial degradation in soil may occur, based on
limited data(4,5). Volatilization from dry soil to the atmosphere may be an important fate
process(6,SRC); however, it is not expected to be a significant process in moist soils(7,SRC).
AQUATIC FATE: If released to water, benzyl alcohol is expected to undergo microbial
degradation under aerobic(1-7) and anaerobic(8,9,10) conditions.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based on a vapor pressure of 0.11 mm Hg at 25 deg C , benzyl
alcohol is expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere . The
estimated half life for the vapor phase reaction of benzyl alcohol with photochemically produced
hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere is 2 days(3,SRC). Based on its water solubility, 40 g/l, it may
undergo dissolution into clouds and subsequently be removed from the atmosphere in
precipitation.
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| Drinking Water Impact | GROUNDWATER: Benzyl alcohol was found in a groundwater sample taken at an
unauthorized waste site, at a concn of 170 ug/L .
EFFL: Benzyl alcohol has been identified in the waste water effluent from the photographic
processing industry and in the effluent from Kraft paper mills in 6 out of 8 samples at a
concentration up to 0.025 mg/l . Benzyl alcohol has been qualitatively determined in the
secondary effluent from wastewater treatment plants in Illinois . The effluent from a Los
Angeles county waste water treatment plant contained 500 ug/l of benzyl alcohol . Benzyl
alcohol has been detected in the leachate from a Barcelona, Spain, sanitary landfill and from a
municipal refuse disposal site in the Netherlands(6). Benzyl alcohol was qualitatively detected in
the wastewater of a petrochemical company producing olefins and oxygenated hydrocarbons(7).
Benzyl alcohol was found in the effluent of 1 out of 4 test waste incinerators(8).
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