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1,3-Butadiene |
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| Health Effects |
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1,3-Butadiene is often referred to simply as butadiene. However, the general term butadiene includes both the common industrial chemical
1,3-Butadiene and 1,2-Butadiene, a contaminant in some industrial processes. Physical characteristics of
1,3-Butadiene are shown below.
| Physical Characteristics of 1,3-Butadiene |
| Physical Description |
Colorless gas that has a mild gasoline-like odor. |
| Molecular Weight |
54.1 |
| Boiling/Melting Point |
24ºF / -164ºF |
| Vapor Pressure |
@69.8ºF: 1,840 mm Hg |
| Specific Gravity |
@68ºF: 0.62 |
| Solubility |
Soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, and benzene, not soluble in water. |
| Flammable |
Extreme fire hazard. |
The health effects caused by exposure to 1,3-Butadiene can be split into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute exposures can further be split into low and high doses.
Acute low exposures may cause irritation to the eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. Frostbite may also occur with skin exposure. Acute high exposures may cause damage to
the central nervous system or cause symptoms such as distorted blurred vision, vertigo, general tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate, and
fainting. Chronic effects caused by exposure to
1,3-Butadiene are controversial. Several human epidemiological studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular diseases and
cancer. However, due to the small numbers of cancers and confounding factors such as smoking, and simultaneous exposure to benzene and
styrene, a true causal relationship cannot be established. Experiments involving chronic exposures to mice and rats have shown a strong causal relationship between
1,3-Butadiene exposure and cancer. Animal studies have also shown reproductive and
developmental problems. Based on human and animal studies, the EPA has classified
1,3-Butadiene as a known human carcinogen. The American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has given 1,3-Butadiene a rating of A2, suspected human carcinogen.
The following links provide information about the health
effects of 1,3-Butadiene:
- 1,3-Butadiene.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS), (2002, November 5). Provides information on carcinogenicity, exposure risks based on amount and route of entry.
- 1,3-Butadiene.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Current Intelligence Bulletin 41, (1984, February 9). Report on studies of animals and humans exposed to
1,3-Butadiene.
Provides information on health effects at threshold exposure levels.
- 1,3-Butadiene:
Hazard Summary.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
(2002, July 30). Focuses on the health effects associated with exposure.
- 1,3-Butadiene. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), (1995, September). Answers the following frequently asked questions about 1,3-Butadiene: What is
it?; How might I be exposed to it?; How can it affect my health?; How likely is it to cause
cancer?; Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to it?; and Has the
federal government made recommendations to protect human health?
- Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 1,3-Butadiene
(CAS No. 106-99-0) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies).
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS),
(1993, May). Contains links to pathology and targeted organs of
1,3-Butadiene.
- Health Risk Assessment of 1,3-Butadiene.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment,
(2002, October), 4 MB PDF,
435 pages.
Report on ambient exposure hazards with focus on carcinogenicity and reproductive/developmental effects. Includes assessment of exposure levels on carcinogenic and reproductive/developmental effects.
- Health Hazard Information on 1,3-Butadiene. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin
(HIB), (1984, April
11). Describes studies on 1,3-Butadiene and its health effects.
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