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Pentachlorophenol
Description: Pentachlorophenol (C.A.S. 87-86-5) is one of the most heavily used pesticides in the U.S. It is used primarily as an industrial wood preservative for utility poles, cross arms, fence posts, and similar structures. It is registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insecticide (termicide), fungicide, herbicides, molluscide, algicide, disinfectant, and as an ingredient in antifouling paint. Pentachlorophenol is also used in sawmills, and as an ingredient in consumer wood-preserving formulations, herbicides, and pesticides. It is used in consumer items such as boats, furniture, and log homes. Non-wood uses account for no more than 2 percent of current consumption. Pentachlorophenol does not occur naturally in the environment. It is produced by the chlorination of phenol. In pure form, it exists as colorless crystals and has a very sharp characteristic odor when hot. Impure pentachlorophenol, which is the form most likely to be found at hazardous waste sites, is a dark gray to brown dust, beads, or flakes. Chemical properties: Pentachlorophenol is a non-flammable solid, which does not evaporate easily. It exists in two forms: the nonpolar form dissolves easily in water, and the other does not. Pentachlorophenol organic solvents are freely soluble in alcohol; soluble in benzene; and slightly soluble in cold petroleum ether. Poisonous gases, including hydrogen chloride and chlorinated phenols, are produced in a fire involving pentachlorophenol. If it comes into contact with strong oxidizers such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine, violent reactions occur. Pentachlorophenol rapidly degrades in air, on land, and in water. Other names for pentachlorophenol are 2,3,4,5,6-pentachloro- phenol; PCP (not the drug); penchlorol; pentachlorofenol; pentachlorophenate; pentachlorphenol; and pentachlorofenolo. Identification: Health effects: Short-term exposure to pentachlorophenol can lead to poisoning that is rapidly fatal. Even small amounts passing through the skin can cause sweating, high fever, breathing trouble, chest and abdomen pain, and death. Brief exposure can damage the liver, kidney, skin, blood, lungs, nervous system, and gastro-intestinal tract. Contact can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term exposure to pentachlorophenol may cause mutations in living cells, and may damage a developing fetus. Repeated exposure may damage the liver, kidneys, blood, and nervous system; it can also cause bronchitis and skin rash. Chronic poisoning may cause weight loss, weakness, and excessive sweating. Populations with potentially high exposure to pentachlorophenol are people involved in wood preservation and lumber mills, carpenters, loading dock workers, and pesticide applicators. Residents near pentachlorophenol manufacturing plants, cooling towers, and wastewater treatment sludge disposal sites may also be exposed to the chemical at higher levels than the general public. Some families living in homes treated with pentachlorophenol have been reported to have symptoms of chronic exposure. Exposure Values: Economics: U.S. manufacturers of pentachlorophenol is Vulcan Materials Co, Wichita, KS. Regulation: OSHA has established permissible exposure limits for the skin for pentachlorophenol. Offices within the EPA responsible for regulations applicable to the chemical are Water Regulations and Standards, Emergency and Remedial Response, Solid Waste, Toxic Substances, and Pesticide Programs. Under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, releases of more than one pound of pentachlorophenol into the air, water, and land must be reported annually and entered into the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). National Overview of 1998 Toxics Release Inventory See EPA's Toxic Release Inventory. Notations: The NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs) are time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. A short-term exposure limit (STEL) is designated by "ST" preceding the value; unless noted otherwise, the STEL is a 15-minute TWA exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday. A ceiling REL is designated by "C" preceding the value. Any substance that NIOSH considers to be a potential occupational carcinogen is designated by the notation "Ca." The OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) are found in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 of the OSHA General Industry Air Contaminants Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000). Unless noted otherwise, PEL are TWA concentrations that must not be exceeded during any 8-hour workshift of a 40-hour workweek. A STEL is designated by "ST" preceding the value and is measured over a 15-minute period unless noted otherwise. OSHA ceiling concentrations (designated by "C" preceding the value) must not be exceeded during any part of the workday; if instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, the ceiling must be assessed as a 15-minute TWA exposure. In addition, there are a number of substances from Table Z-2 (e.g., beryllium, ethylene dibromide, etc.) that have PEL ceiling values that must not be exceeded except for specified excursions. For example, a "5-minute maximum peak in any 2 hours" means that a 5-minute exposure above the ceiling value, but never above the maximum peak, is allowed in any 2 hours during an 8-hour workday. Information Sources:
Originally published in Environment Writer by the National Safety Council. Reprinted with permission. Environment Writer Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Office of Marine Programs Narragansett, RI 02882 Tel: 401-874-6211; Fax: 401-874-6485 Disclaimer * Copyright 2002-2006 * All rights reserved. * University of Rhode Island |