2,3,4,5-TETRACHLOROPHENOL

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Needles (from petroleum ether, ligroin) or beige solid. (NTP, 1992)

none

Insoluble in water.

Flash point data for this chemical are not available. It is probably combustible. (NTP, 1992)

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include irritation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Depending on the intensity and duration of exposure, effects may vary from mild irritation to severe destruction of tissue. Prolonged contact can cause eye damage. It can also cause irritation of the nose and throat. Exposure to this type of compound may cause profuse sweating, intense thirst, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis from methemoglobinemia, hyperactivity, stupor, blood pressure fall, hyperpnea, hemolysis, convulsions, collapse, coma and pulmonary edema followed by pneumonia. If death from respiratory failure is not immediate, jaundice and oliguria or anuria may occur. Other symptoms of exposure to this type of compound may include headache, dizziness, rapid and difficult breathing, weakness, severe burns and internal damage. Chronic exposure may result in digestive disturbances, nervous disorders, skin eruptions and liver and kidney damage. Skin contact with this type of compound may result in softening and whitening of the skin, followed by the development of painful burns. Prolonged contact may lead to dermatitis. Local contact may also result in painless blanching or erythema and corrosion of the skin. Skin sensitivity reactions occur occasionally.

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: This compound is highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. It is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract; and prolonged contact may result in severe irritation or destruction of tissue. It is also an irritant of the nose and throat. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas. (NTP, 1992)

2,3,4,5-TETRACHLOROPHENOL is incompatible with acid chlorides, acid anhydrides and oxidizing agents (NTP, 1992).

• Phenols and Cresols
• Acids, Weak
• Aryl Halides

No information available.

Excerpt from 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this chemical under ambient temperatures, and keep it away from oxidizing materials. (NTP, 1992)

MINIMUM PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: If Tyvek-type disposable protective clothing is not worn during handling of this chemical, wear disposable Tyvek-type sleeves taped to your gloves.

RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)

No information available.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Phenols are very toxic poisons AND corrosive and irritating, so that inducing vomiting may make medical problems worse. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center and locate activated charcoal, egg whites, or milk in case the medical advisor recommends administering one of them. If advice from a physician is not readily available and the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give the victim a glass of activated charcoal slurry in water or, if this is not available, a glass of milk, or beaten egg whites and IMMEDIATELY transport victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, assure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

• 2,3,4,5-TETRACHLOROPHENOL