Benzyl Chloride (100-44-7)
Benzyl Chloride is a aromatic hydrocarbon with CAS Registry Number 100-44-7. Under the OSHA air contaminants standard (29 CFR 1910.1000), its Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) — the legal 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for general industry — is 1 ppm. The principal target organs are the Respiratory tract; eyes; skin, and workplace air is sampled and analyzed by NIOSH 2017.
Exposure Limits at a Glance
| Limit | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA PEL (8-hr TWA) | 1 ppm | 29 CFR 1910.1000 |
| NIOSH REL | See note below | NIOSH Pocket Guide |
| Hazard Class | Aromatic Hydrocarbon | Aromatic |
| Target Organs | Respiratory tract; eyes; skin | NIOSH / OSHA |
| Sampling Method | NIOSH 2017 | NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods |
NIOSH REL note: NIOSH RELs are typically far more protective (e.g. benzene 1 ppm PEL vs 0.1 ppm REL). The REL is a non-regulatory recommendation; where a NIOSH REL exists it is typically more protective than the OSHA PEL.
How It Enters the Body & Health Effects
Exposure to Benzyl Chloride is assessed against the Respiratory tract; eyes; skin — the organ systems most consistently affected in occupational studies. Employers must ensure no employee’s 8-hour TWA exceeds the 1 ppm PEL, and must use engineering controls, work practices, and — where required — respiratory protection to keep exposures at or below that level.
- Hazard class: Aromatic Hydrocarbon. Aromatic-class agents are managed with the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE).
- Monitoring: collect personal air samples in the breathing zone and submit them under NIOSH 2017 for laboratory analysis.
- Medical surveillance: consult the OSHA substance-specific standards and the NIOSH Pocket Guide when the target organs are the Respiratory tract; eyes; skin.
Sampling & Compliance Notes
- Determine whether the exposure is a full-period 8-hour TWA or a short-term / ceiling scenario. Ceiling and STEL excursions apply to several Aromatic-class agents regardless of the 8-hour average.
- Calibrate personal sampling pumps before and after each shift and record flow rates; method NIOSH 2017 specifies media, flow, and analysis.
- Compare analytical results to the OSHA PEL of 1 ppm and the NIOSH REL. Document the higher of the two for internal exposure-control targets.
- Where the PEL includes a “skin” notation, dermal absorption can contribute to the dose — glove selection and hygiene facilities are part of compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OSHA PEL for Benzyl Chloride?
The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (8-hour TWA) for Benzyl Chloride is 1 ppm.
What is the CAS number for Benzyl Chloride?
The CAS Registry Number for Benzyl Chloride is 100-44-7.
What are the target organs for Benzyl Chloride?
The primary target organs are the Respiratory tract; eyes; skin.
How do you measure Benzyl Chloride in workplace air?
Use NIOSH analytical method NIOSH 2017 for air sampling and laboratory analysis.
What hazard class is Benzyl Chloride?
It is classified here as a Aromatic Hydrocarbon (Aromatic).