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Chemical Datasheet

BIPHENYL

9 - Miscellaneous hazardous material

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 92-52-4
  • 3077
  • Class 9
  • DIL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Diphenyl
  • BIPHENYL
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
1 0
Blue Health 1 Can cause significant irritation.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Flash point 180°F. Insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Used to manufacture other chemicals and as a fungicide.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Combustible. Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
CALL FOR MEDICAL AID. VAPOR, MIST OR DUST: Irritating to eyes, nose, throat and skin. Flush affected area with plenty of water. IF IN EYES, hold eyelids open and flush with plenty of water. SOLID OR LIQUID: Irritating to skin and eyes, nose and throat. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush affected areas with plenty water. IF IN EYES, hold eyelids open and flush with plenty of water. If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Causes irritation to eyes, skin and mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract. Causes central nervous system depression, paralysis and convulsion in animals. May cause headache, diffuse gastrointestinal pain, nausea, indigestion, numbness and aching of limbs, and general fatigue. Liver function test may show abnormalities. Chronic exposure is mostly characterized by central nervous system symptoms, fatigue, headache, tremor, insomnia, sensory impairment, and mood changes. Such symptoms are rare however. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
BIPHENYL is incompatible with oxidizers. (NTP, 1992)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

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)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent dust cloud. For Asbestos, avoid inhalation of dust. Cover spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Do not clean up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Diphenyl:

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 (MOLT) - Eyewash fountains should be provided (when this chemical is in molten form) 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 (MOLT) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in molten form) 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)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
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. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. 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. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure 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)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C12H10
Flash Point: 235°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 0.6 % at 232°F (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 5.8 % at 331°F. (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 1004°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 156 to 160°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 0.005 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 5.31 (USCG, 1999) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.992 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 489 to 491°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 154.22 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 7.95 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 100 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Biphenyl (92-52-4)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 12 ppm NR
30 minutes NR 12 ppm NR
60 minutes NR 9.6 ppm NR
4 hours NR 6 ppm NR
8 hours NR 4.4 ppm NR
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Biphenyl: (Diphenyl) (92-52-4) 0.87 ppm 9.6 ppm 300 ppm LEL = 6000 ppm
(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
Biphenyl 92-52-4 100 pounds 313

(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