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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Camphor |
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General Description
Synonyms: 2-Camphonone; Synthetic camphor; Gum camphor; Laurel camphor
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0522
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 76-22-2
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: EX1225000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2717 133
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Camphor (Synthetic): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 2 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed as Camphor, Synthetic)
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 2 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed as Camphor, Synthetic)
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 2 mg/m3 TWA (PEL listed as Camphor, Synthetic)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 2 ppm, 12 mg/m3 TWA; 3 ppm, 19 mg/m3 STEL; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen (TLV listed as Camphor, Synthetic)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 2 mg/m3 TWA (REL listed as Camphor (Synthetic))
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 200 mg/m3
Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membrane; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; headache, dizziness, excitement, epileptiform convulsions; cough, sore throat; INGES ACUTE: Burning sensation in throat and chest; GI symptoms; confusion, seizures, unconsciousness; SKIN ABS: Hepatotoxicity without GI symptoms.
Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) Acute Toxicity---short-term high hazard effects (HE4) CNS Effects (HE7)
Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS
Notes: 1) Most reported intoxications with camphor involve children under the age of 6 years. No occupational poisoning reports were found in the literature over the past 30 years. 2) A reversible elevation of liver enzymes in an infant from absorption of camphor in Vicks VapoRub through the skin has been reported. 3) Chronic ingestion may produce symptoms mimicking Reye's Syndrome. 4) d-Camphor is listed among FDA's "food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption" (21 CFR 172.515)
Date Last Revised: 05/18/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Camphor (Synthetic).
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Camphor.
- Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc.: Material Safety Data Sheet. DL-Camphor.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Camphor. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 475-476.
- Uc, A., Bishop, W.P. and Sanders, K.D.: Camphor hepatotoxicity. South. Med. J. 93(6): 596-598, 2000.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Methanol
maximum volume: 24 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 1301)
method classification: Partially Validated
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