© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: m-Cresol
Synonyms: 3-Methylphenol, meta-Cresol
Chemical Formula: C7H8O
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid, distinct tar-like odor
Uses: Disinfectant, solvent, raw material for resins and antioxidants
Common Locations: Found in chemical manufacturing, labs, and some commercial cleaners
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral/ Dermal/ Inhalation), Skin Corrosive, Eye Damage, Environmental Hazard
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled; causes severe skin burns and eye damage; harmful to aquatic life
Signal Word: Danger
Potential Health Effects: Burns, systemic poisoning, central nervous system issues, possible death from high exposure; long-term repeat contact damages organs, skin, and can affect breathing
Symptoms: Burning sensation, blistering, coughing, headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion
Main Ingredient: m-Cresol (CAS 108-39-4), typically over 99% in pure lab-grade liquid
Impurities: Possible traces of other cresols, phenol, water depending on source
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with gentle, continuous water for at least 15 minutes, eyelids held open; urgent medical help required
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with plenty of water and soap; medical attention essential due to severe burn risk
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air without delay; look for breathing trouble and unconsciousness; start CPR if necessary; urgent medical evaluation
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth if conscious; immediate medical assistance mandatory
Notes on Recovery: One drop can burn, so every second counts in real accidents; always err on the side of overacting for eye, lung, or skin exposure with cresols
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Special Hazards: Vapors can ignite even from hot surfaces; thermal decomposition produces toxic fumes, including phenol, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment: Full turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus for responders
Fire Notes: Moving containers away if safe, and cooling with water helps limit spread, but fume risk means all responders need full face masks and chemical-resistant turnout clothing
Personal Protection: Use gloves, goggles, full-coverage clothing, solvent-resistant boots; chemical splash apron recommended in liquid cleanups
Evacuation: Keep unprotected people far from spill site; block off drains and ventilate area
Spill Control: Stop leak at source if no risk; absorb on inert material like sand or vermiculite; scoop into proper chemical waste containers
Environmental Precautions: Never let cresol runoff reach soil, water, or drains; local agencies treat this as a top-tier pollutant
Clean-Up: Wash area with soap and lots of water after bulk removal, taking care to protect cleanup workers from vapor exposure and accidental splash
Handling Practices: Work behind chemical hoods or in ventilated spaces; use splash-proof goggles and impermeable gloves
Safe Storage: Keep tightly closed in corrosion-resistant containers; lock well away from acids, oxidizers, or foods; store cool and out of sunlight
Incompatibility: Strong acids and oxidizers, heat, and sunlight all raise risks by breaking down the molecule or causing combustion
Personal Habits: No eating, drinks, or even gum around m-Cresol; washing up after exposure limits tracking contamination through a workplace
Control Systems: Use fume hoods, splash shields, and closed handling systems if available
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm TWA; OSHA PEL: 5 ppm TWA
Personal Protective Equipment: Face shield or goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber, neoprene), lab coat or coveralls, sometimes respirator with organic vapor cartridge
Hygiene: Double-gloving, regular glove changes, face shield over goggles for larger volumes, and showering after shift in high-use settings
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Nearly colorless to yellowish
Odor: Smoky, tar-like
Melting Point: 11.8°C
Boiling Point: 202°C
Density: 1.034 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: 0.11 mm Hg at 25°C
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether
Flash Point: 86°C (closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 555°C
Viscosity: Thin liquid at room temperature
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, may darken on exposure to air
Reactive With: Strong oxidizers (risk of violent reaction), acids, anhydrides, some plastics
Hazardous Decomposition: Burning creates phenol vapor, carbon monoxide, and other noxious fumes
Polymerization: Will not polymerize spontaneously, but exposure to iron, acid, or heat boosts breakdown and fumes
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Effects: Severe corrosive burns, headache, dizziness, confusion, collapse, organ failure
Chronic Effects: Long-term low exposure damages liver, kidneys, nervous system; skin sores and blisters with repeated contact
LD50 (oral, rat): About 242 mg/kg; rapid absorption through skin makes contact especially dangerous
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as proven cancer-causing for humans, but animal studies show organ toxicity
Other Info: Reports in chemical plant workers show both immediate burns and subtle neurotoxic symptoms, underscoring the need for caution whether handling once or every day
Toxic to Aquatic Life: Lethal to fish and invertebrates at low concentrations; bioaccumulates in soil and sediment
Biodegradability: Slowly breaks down in air and water, but not enough to prevent long-term harm in streams, lakes
Persistence: Sticks to soil and organic matter, stays hazardous over weeks
Environmental Risk: Concentrated spills will kill fish, disrupt ecosystems, and make water unfit for drinking or irrigation
Waste Notes: Anything soaked in cresol becomes difficult to clean; incineration is frequently relied on for full disposal
Preferred Disposal: Send to licensed hazardous waste incinerator or chemical treatment facility
Container Management: Triple rinse, then puncture and send containers for specialized disposal
Other Recommendations: Don’t ever pour down the drain or landfill, not even small amounts; collection for professional disposal matters because water treatment plants can’t remove cresols from runoff
Worker Guidance: Full PPE stays on until final cleaning; record-keeping of disposed amounts helps track impacts and limit environmental loading
UN Number: Listed as UN 2076 for m-Cresol
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance), secondary 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Labeling Requirements: Toxic, corrosive, keep separated from foodstuffs, acids, and oxidizers during transit
Transport Challenges: Leaks, vapor in confined spaces during transport create risk of poisoning and burns for handlers; specialized vehicles and secure, leak-proof containers are routine
US EPA: Recognizes m-Cresol as hazardous substance, tracks releases under SARA Title III and CERCLA programs
OSHA: Sets strict worker exposure limits, requires training for anyone handling or disposing
Other Regulations: European REACH and local government agencies strictly control use, call for exposure minimization in any facility
Industry Practice: Regular workplace air monitoring, spill drills, and health screenings meet not just law but a real burden to limit both short- and long-term damage to health and environment
