Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients

CAS#	Chemical Name	Percent	EINECS/ELINCS
120-80-9	Catechol	99	204-427-5

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

Appearance: almost white to brown solid.
Warning! Causes eye and skin burns. Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Harmful if swallowed. May cause allergic skin reaction. May cause severe respiratory and digestive tract irritation with possible burns. May cause central nervous system depression. May cause methemoglobinemia. Sublimes (goes directly from solid to vapor form) readily at room temperature. Corrosive to aluminum.
Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, lungs, cardiovascular system, red blood cells, skin.


Potential Health Effects
Eye: Causes eye burns. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage. Eastman Kodak says this material causes eye burns.
Skin: Harmful if absorbed through the skin. Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause irritation and/or dermatitis. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. If absorbed, causes symptoms similar to those of ingestion.
Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause perforation of the digestive tract. May cause methemoglobinemia, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), convulsions, and death. May cause central nervous system depression. May cause systemic effects. May cause a prolonged rise in blood pressure which may lead to degenerative changes in the
Inhalation: May cause severe irritation of the respiratory tract with sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and delayed lung edema. Causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract. May cause effects similar to those described for ingestion. Aspiration may lead to pulmonary edema. May cause systemic effects. No effects were seen when rats were exposed to concentrations of 1.5 g/m3 for 8H, but exposure to 2 or 2.8 g/m3 for 8H resulted in irritation and tremors for up to 24 H after exposure (Eastman).
Chronic: Chronic inhalation and ingestion may cause effects similar to those of acute inhalation and ingestion. May cause methemoglobinemia, which is characterized by chocolate-brown colored blood, headache, weakness, dizziness, breath shortness, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of blood), rapid heart rate, unconsciousness and possible death. Effects may be delayed. Pyrocatechol produces a prolonged rise in blood pressure. It has resulted in degenerative changes in the tubuli of the kidney. Repeated absorption of the compound through the skin may induce methemoglobinemia, leukopenia, and anemia; in humans, central nervous system symptoms such as convulsions have resulted from skin absorption. Contact with the skin has also caused an allergic skin reaction. (Eastman)

Section 4 - First Aid Measures

Eyes: Get medical aid immediately. Do NOT allow victim to rub eyes or keep eyes closed. Extensive irrigation with water is required (at least 30 minutes).
Skin: Get medical aid. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Destroy contaminated shoes.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid immediately.
Inhalation: Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do NOT use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a mask.
Notes to Physician: Absorption of this product into the body may cause cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood). Moderate degrees of cyanosis need to be treated only by supportive measures: bed rest and oxygen inhalation. For methemoglobinemia, administer oxygen alone or with Methylene Blue depending on the methemoglobin concentration in the blood. Cleansing of the entire contaminated area of the body is of utmost importance.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures

General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic fumes.
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
Flash Point: 127 deg C ( 260.60 deg F)
Autoignition Temperature: 477 deg C ( 890.60 deg F)
Explosion Limits, Lower:Not available.
Upper: Not available.
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 3; Flammability: 1; Instability: 0

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures

General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks: Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions. Remove all sources of ignition. Provide ventilation.

Section 7 - Handling and Storage

Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not breathe dust, mist, or vapor. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Discard contaminated shoes.
Storage: Keep container closed when not in use. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Corrosives area. Store in a cool, dry area away from incompatible substances.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below the permissible exposure limits.
Exposure Limits

Chemical Name	ACGIH	NIOSH	OSHA - Final PELs
Catechol	5 ppm TWA; Skin - potential significant contribution to overall exposure by the cutaneous r oute	5 ppm TWA; 20 mg/m3 TWA	none listed

OSHA Vacated PELs: Catechol: 5 ppm TWA; 20 mg/m3 TWA
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin: Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid
Appearance: almost white to brown
Odor: phenol-like
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: 0.01 mm Hg @ 25 deg C
Vapor Density: 3.8 (air=1)
Evaporation Rate:Negligible.
Viscosity: Not applicable.
Boiling Point: 245 deg C
Freezing/Melting Point:103-106 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
Solubility: Soluble.
Specific Gravity/Density:1.344
Molecular Formula:C6H6O2
Molecular Weight:110.11

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Substance undergoes color change upon exposure to light and air. Substance is sublimable, able to go directly from solid to vapor.
Conditions to Avoid: Light, dust generation, excess heat, prolonged exposure to air.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, aluminum.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.

Section 11 - Toxicological Information

RTECS#:      
CAS# 120-80-9: UX1050000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 120-80-9:
     Oral, mouse: LD50 = 260 mg/kg;
     Oral, mouse: LD50 = 100 mg/kg;
     Oral, rat: LD50 = 260 mg/kg;
     Oral, rat: LD50 = 3890 mg/kg;
     Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 800 mg/kg;
     Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 800 mg/kg;
.

Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 120-80-9:

• ACGIH: A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans
  
• California: carcinogen, initial date 7/15/03
  
• NTP: Not listed.
  
• IARC: Group 2B carcinogen