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2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN (TCDD)

6.1 - Poison
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 1746-01-6
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxinexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: White crystals or tan crystalline powder. (NTP, 1992)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Literature sources indicate that this chemical is nonflammable. (NTP, 1992)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxinexternal link:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Irritation eyes; allergic dermatitis, chloracne; porphyria; gastrointestinal disturbance; possible reproductive, teratogenic effects; In Animals: liver, kidney damage; hemorrhage; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Target Organs: Eyes, skin, liver, kidneys, reproductive system

Cancer Site: [in animals: tumors at many sites] (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN (TCDD) reaacts when exposed to ultraviolet light in solution in isooctane or n-octanol. Undergoes catalytic perchlorination (NTP, 1992).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-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)
Firefighting
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
Non-Fire Response
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then dampen the solid spill material with toluene, then using absorbent paper transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with toluene to pick up any remaining material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent-wash all contaminated surfaces with toluene 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 protect this container from damage. Store at room temperature and protect from light. Allow only your most experienced personnel access to this aliquot. (NTP, 1992)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxinexternal link:

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.
• DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.

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)
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. 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: 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. Generally, the induction of vomiting is NOT recommended outside of a physician's care due to the risk of aspirating the chemical into the victim's lungs. However, if the victim is conscious and not convulsing and if medical help is not readily available, consider the risk of inducing vomiting because of the high toxicity of the chemical ingested. Ipecac syrup or salt water may be used in such an emergency. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. 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.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C12H4Cl4O2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 563°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 6.4e-10 mmHg at 68°F ; 0.0000000014 mmHg at 77°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: Decomposes at 932°F (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 321.96 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 77°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2023)

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
TCDD; (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; Dioxin) (1746-01-6) 0.00013 mg/m3 0.0014 mg/m3 0.0085 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

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
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) 1746-01-6 1 pound 313!
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (includes only 17 chemicals) N150 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.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • AROMATIC HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR (HUMAN CLONE HU14)
  • DIBENZO-P-DIOXIN, 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORO-
  • DIOXIN
  • DIOXIN (HERBICIDE CONTAMINANT)
  • DIOXINE
  • NCI-C03714
  • TCDBD
  • TCDD
  • 2,3,7,8-TCDD
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORO-DIBENZO-P-DIOXIN
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO(B,E)(1,4)DIOXIN
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-1,4-DIOXIN
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN (TCDD)
  • 2,3,6,7-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN
  • TETRACHLORODIBENZODIOXIN
  • 2,3,6,7-TETRACHLORODIBENZOIDIOXIN
  • 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO[B,E][1,4]DIOXIN
  • TETRADIOXIN

Version 3.0.0