Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

P-CRESOL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used as antiseptics, insecticides and disinfectants. Incorporated in explosives, synthetic
resins, petroleum, photographics, paints and is also used as an ore flotation agent. It
can also be used as an intermediate for dyes, plastics and antioxidants.

SYNONYMS

C7-H8-O, CH3C6H4OH, para-cresol, "para cresol", "p-cresylic acid", "p-cresylic acid", 1-
hydroxy-4-methylbenzene, 1-hydroxy-4-methylbenzene, p-methylhydroxybenzene, p-
methylhydroxybenzene, 1-methyl-4-hydroxybenzene, 1-methyl-4-hydroxybenzene, 4-cresol, 4-
cresol, "paramethyl phenol", p-oxytoluene, p-oxytoluene, p-toluol, p-toluol, "p-tolyl
alcohol", "p-tolyl alcohol"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Some phenol derivatives can cause damage to the digestive system. If absorbed, profuse sweating, thirst, nausea, vomiting diarrhea, cyanosis, restlessness, stupor, low blood pressure, gasping, abdominal pain, anemia, convulsions, coma and lung swelling can happen followed by pneumonia. There may be respiratory failure and kidney damage. Chemical burns,  seizures and irregular heartbeat may result.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Some phenol derivatives may produce mild to severe eye irritation with redness, pain and blurred vision. Permanent eye injury may occur; recovery may also be complete or partial.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  The material may cause moderate inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Phenol and its derivatives can cause severe skin irritation if contact is maintained, and can be absorbed to the skin affecting the cardiovascular and central nervous system. Effects include sweating, intense thirst, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, restlessness, stupor, low blood pressure, hyperventilation, abdominal pain, anemia, convulsions, coma, lung swelling followed by pneumonia. Respiratory failure and kidney damage may follow.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation of vapors, aerosols (mists, fumes) or dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  If phenols are absorbed via the lungs, systemic effects may occur affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Inhalation can result in profuse perspiration, intense thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, restlessness, stupor, falling blood pressure, hyperventilation, abdominal pain, anemia, convulsions, coma, swelling and inflammation of the lung. This is followed by respiratory failure and kidney damage. Phenols also cause loss of sensation and general depression at high concentrations. The toxicities of phenol derivatives vary.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to phenol derivatives can cause skin inflammation, loss of appetite and weight, weakness, muscle aches and pain, liver damage, dark urine, loss of nails, skin eruptions, diarrhea, nervous disorders with headache, salivation, fainting, discoloration of the skin and eyes, vertigo and mental disorders, and damage to the liver and kidneys.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  The primary route of exposure is usually through skin absorption.  Chronic exposure to the skin can cause facial peripheral nerve damage,  impairment of renal function and even necrosis of the liver and  kidneys.  Symptoms of chronic poisoning are abundant production of saliva, vomiting,  diarrhoea, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, mental disturbances and  fainting. Contact dermatitis may also occur.  Workers exposed to cresol vapour for 1.5 to 3 years experienced headaches  that were frequently accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms  included elevated blood pressure, signs of impaired kidney function,blood  calcium imbalance and marked tremors.  Isomers of cresol are tumor promoters.