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Chemical Datasheet

PYRENE

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 129-00-0
none data unavailable none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • PYRENE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Colorless solid, solid and solutions have a slight blue fluorescence. Used in biochemical research. (EPA, 1998)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke and fumes. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Pyrene is a carcinogenic agent and is absorbed by the skin. It is a skin irritant, a suspected mutagen, and an equivocal tumor-causing agent. Workers exposed to 3 to 5 mg/m3 of pyrene exhibited some teratogenic effects. Pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The acute toxicity of pure PAHs appears low when administered orally or dermally to rats or mice. Human exposure to PAHs is almost exclusively via the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, and approximately 99 percent is ingested in the diet. Despite the high concentrations of pyrene to which humans may be exposed through food, there is currently little information available to implicate diet-derived PAHs as the cause of serious health effects. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
PYRENE reacts with nitrogen oxides to form nitro derivatives. It also reacts with 70% nitric acid. (NTP, 1992)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
No information available.
Firefighting
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
Non-Fire Response
Avoid inhalation and skin contact. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Pyrene is absorbed by the skin. It is a skin irritant, and a suspected mutagen and tumor-causing agent.

Signs and Symptoms of Pyrene Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to pyrene may result in irritation and burning of the exposed skin, esophageal or gastrointestinal tract, and eyes. Excitation and muscle spasticity may also be noted following acute exposure.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to pyrene 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 pyrene.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for 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 pyrene.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate 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 thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to 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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Immediately give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
5. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C16H10
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 313°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 2.6 mmHg at 392.7°F ; 6.90 mmHg at 429.4°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.27 at 73.4°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 759°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 202.26 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 72°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Pyrene (129-00-0) 0.15 mg/m3 1.7 mg/m3 110 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Pyrene 129-00-0 1000/10000 pounds 5000 pounds 5000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names