O-CRESOL

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
2 3 0	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	2	Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special

Colorless or yellow to brown-yellow or pinkish colored liquid with a phenol-like odor. Toxic by ingestion and/or skin absorption. May have a flash point between 100 and 199°F. Causes burns to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Insoluble in water.

none

Sensitive to light and air. Insoluble in water.

Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Runoff from fire control water may give off poisonous gases. This material may burn but does not ignite readily. Container may explode in heat of fire. Slight explosion and fire hazard in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes. Reacts violently with nitric acid, oleum, and chlorosulfonic acid. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)

The chemical is rated as a very toxic compound with a probable oral lethal dose in humans of 50-500 mg/kg, or between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. It is a strong dermal irritant and frequently causes dermatitis. Serious or fatal poisoning may result if large areas of skin are wet with cresol, o- and the substance is not removed immediately. Ingestion of even a small amount may cause paralysis and coma. It is corrosive to body tissues, with toxicity similar to phenol. (EPA, 1998)

O-CRESOL is incompatible with oxidizing agents and bases. Mixing it with chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid and oleum in a closed contained caused the temperature and pressure to increase. (NTP, 1992)

• Phenols and Cresols

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)

Use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Fight fire from a maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; don't scatter the material. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing at the site.

Water to blanket the fire and dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide to extinguish the flames. Extinguish small fires with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. For large fires use water spray, fog, or foam. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. (EPA, 1998)

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

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for o-Cresol:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Cresol o-	95-48-7	Liquid		13	>480	198	179	179	>480
Hydroxy toluene, o-	95-48-7	Liquid		13	>480	198	179	179	>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

Warning: Effects may be delayed. Caution is advised. Vital signs should be monitored closely.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute o-Cresol Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to o-cresol may include a weak pulse, hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiac failure. Tachypnea (rapid respiratory rate), pulmonary edema, and respiratory arrest or failure may be noted. Weakness, headache, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), shock, and delirium are common. Seizures may occur and are often followed by coma. Pallor, sweating, dilated pupils, and a profound drop in body temperature may also be found. Gastrointestinal effects include nausea, abdominal pain, bloody vomitus, and bloody diarrhea. Renal insufficiency may lead to hematuria (bloody urine). o-Cresol is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Contact may result in severe and painful burns, which promptly become anesthetized (numb) to touch and pain. Ulceration may occur.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to o-cresol may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to o-cresol.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to o-cresol.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas with undiluted polyethylene glycol 300 or 400. If polyethylene glycol is unavailable, use water. Follow initial polyethylene glycol or water wash with a second (water) wash.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Immediately give conscious and alert victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Do not exceed 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup).
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• CRESOL (ORTHO)
• CRESOL,-O
• 2-CRESOL
• 1-HYDROXY-2-METHYLBENZENE
• 2-HYDROXYTOLUENE
• 2-METHYL PHENOL
• 1-METHYL-2-HYDROXYBENZENE
• 2-METHYLPHENOL
• O-CRESOL
• O-CRESYLIC ACID
• O-HYDROXYTOLUENE
• O-METHYLPHENOL
• O-METHYLPHENYLOL
• O-OXYTOLUENE
• O-TOLUOL
• ORTHO-CRESOL
• ORTHOCRESOL
• PHENOL, 2-METHYL-