Product Name: Tricresol
Chemical Name: Methylphenol, Tricresols (mixture of ortho-, meta-, and para-cresol)
Synonyms: Cresylic Acid, 2-Methylphenol, 3-Methylphenol, 4-Methylphenol
Recommended Use: Intermediate for resins, disinfectant, solvent in chemical synthesis
Manufacturer: Various chemical suppliers
CAS Number: 1330-95-0
Contact Information: Available from supplier’s label
Emergency Telephone: Refer to local poison control or emergency response center
Classification: Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation) Category 3, Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 1B, Serious Eye Damage Category 1, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (single exposure) Category 2
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or if inhaled. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation.
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Corrosion, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Prevent inhalation of vapors or dust. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Chemical Composition: Mixture of ortho-cresol, meta-cresol, para-cresol
O-Cresol (2-Methylphenol): 15-40%
M-Cresol (3-Methylphenol): 35-70%
P-Cresol (4-Methylphenol): 10-35%
Impurities and Additives: May contain trace amounts of phenol and xylenols
CAS Number: 95-48-7 (o-cresol), 108-39-4 (m-cresol), 106-44-5 (p-cresol)
Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air. Seek immediate medical attention if breathing trouble starts. Keep person warm and at rest.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse affected skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical help at once.
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids to ensure full rinse. Remove contact lenses if easy to do. Medical follow-up required.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Never give anything by mouth if unconscious. Transport to emergency facility with urgency.
Advice to Physician: Symptoms may be delayed. Watch for acidosis and respiratory distress. Treat symptomatically and provide supportive care.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide
Not Recommended: Direct water stream may spread fire, use with caution
Specific Hazards: May produce toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and phenolic vapors in a fire
Protective Equipment: Wear full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Stay upwind, fight fires from a safe distance, use water spray to cool threatened containers. Avoid breathing smoke or fumes.
Combustion Products: Releases irritating or toxic fumes under fire conditions
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate closed spaces. Use personal protective equipment. Prevent skin and eye contact. Keep unprotected people away.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent substance from entering drains, sewers, or waterways. Alert authorities if product enters environment in large quantities.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with sand, earth, vermiculite, or inert absorbent. Collect into containers labeled for disposal. Decontaminate affected area with soap and water.
Methods for Containment: Stop leak if doing so is safe. Dam or dike to prevent spreading.
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas. Keep containers tightly closed. Wear recommended personal protective equipment. Avoid spills; practice good hygiene.
Storage: Store in tightly sealed containers away from direct light or heat. Keep away from incompatible materials like strong oxidizers, acids, and bases. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
Other Notes: Label areas and containers with hazard statements. Use spill containment where large quantities are handled.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 5 ppm (skin), ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm (skin)
Engineering Controls: Use fume hood or local exhaust for handling
Personal Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator, chemical splash goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (like butyl rubber, nitrile), flame-retardant lab coats, chemical-resistant shoes
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or using restroom. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid, sharp phenolic odor
pH: Slightly acidic
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Approximately 11-25°C depending on isomer composition
Boiling Point: 191-202°C at atmospheric pressure
Flash Point: About 81°C (178°F), closed cup
Evaporation Rate: Slow (compared to water)
Flammability: Combustible liquid
Vapor Pressure: Less than 1 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Specific Gravity: 1.03-1.07 (water = 1)
Solubility in Water: Slightly soluble
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Log Kow 1.8–2.1
Decomposition Temperature: Not well-defined; decomposes above boiling point
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under recommended handling and storage conditions
Hazardous Reactions: May react violently with strong oxidizing agents
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flame, direct sunlight, strong bases, strong acids
Incompatible Materials: Alkali metals, strong oxidizers, strong acids, acid chlorides, anhydrides
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cresol vapors, phenolic compounds
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 250 mg/kg, Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 890 mg/kg, Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): 710 mg/m³
Corrosive Effects: Severe burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; absorption through skin can result in systemic poisoning
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning sensation, headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, dermal necrosis
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may affect liver, kidneys, central nervous system
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Sensitization: No data on skin sensitization, but repeated exposure may create photosensitivity or allergic response
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Fish toxicity (LC50, Oncorhynchus mykiss, 96h): 5-10 mg/L; Daphnia EC50 (48h): 16.4 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under some environmental conditions, but may persist in sediment
Bioaccumulation: Moderate potential, log Kow 1.8–2.1
Mobility in Soil: Low to moderate, can migrate through soil to groundwater
Additional Information: Avoid release to the environment. Methods to minimize discharge include on-site neutralization and carbon filtration.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose as hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal environmental regulations. Use incineration in a chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers must be triple rinsed and offered for recycling or reconditioning, or punctured and disposed in licensed landfill. Do not reuse container for other purposes.
Special Instructions: Do not dispose in drains, waterways, or general waste.
UN Number: 2076
UN Proper Shipping Name: Cresols
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Label: Toxic, Corrosive
Special Precautions: Transport in compliance with local, national, and international regulations. Ensure containers remain upright and sealed. Ensure compatibility with vehicle and other cargo.
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant (IMO/IMDG)
OSHA Status: Regulated as hazardous substance
TSCA Status: Listed substance
SARA Title III: Section 313 reportable chemical (cresols group)
CERCLA Reportable Quantity: 100 pounds (45.4 kg)
RCRA Status: Hazardous waste under code U052
EINECS: 215-540-4
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Class D1B (Toxic), E (Corrosive)
Other Regulations: Refer to state/provincial and federal regulations for compliance
