CRESOLS | OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

CRESOLS†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	1319-77-3 (Cresol); See also 108-39-4 (m-Cresol); 95-48-7 (o-Cresol); 106-44-5 (p-Cresol).
Formula	C₇H₈O
Synonyms	ortho(meta or para)-cresol; 2(3 or 4)-cresol, o(m or p)-cresylic acid; 1-hydroxy-2(3 or 4)-methylbenzene; 2(3 or 4)-hydroxytoluene; 2(3 or 4) -methyl phenol

Physical Properties
Physical description	White crystals with a sweet, tarry odor.
Boiling point	376°F	Molecular weight	108.2
Freezing point/melting point		Vapor pressure	0.29 mmHg
Flash point	178°F, 175-185°F (open cup)	Vapor density	3.72
Specific gravity	1.03-1.05	Ionization potential	8.93-8.97 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	1.1-1.4%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating	3	NFPA fire rating	2
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	0760
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	XAD-7 tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-95]
Sampling time^*	240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	24 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 32 (fully validated)
Notes
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	5 ppm (22 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	2.3 ppm (10 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	20 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction and vapor) [2009]	PEL-TWA	5 ppm (22 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	250 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-C, TLV-A4		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Cresols

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - o-Cresol

Literature References

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - m-Cresol, p-Cresol.
ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Cresol, all isomers. See annual publication for most recent information.
EPA Air Toxics Website: Cresol/Cresylic Acid. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
Ana-Lillia, G.Y., Carlos, K., Kazimeirz, W., Elva-Leticia, P.L., Katarzina, W. and Gloria, B.: Occupational exposure to toluene and its possible causative role in renal damage development in shoe workers. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 78: 1-6, 2005.
Bruze, M. and Zimerson, E.: Contact allergy to o-cresol--a sensitizer in phenol-formaldehyde resin. Am. J. Contact Dermat. 13(4): 198-200, 2002.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Cresols. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 672-675.

Last Updated Date : 12/22/2020

CRESOLS†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References