1,4-Dichlorobenzene (also known as p-dichlorobenzene) is a chlorinated aromatic compound with a distinctive aromatic odor that is very strong at high concentrations. It is a white or colorless crystal at room temperature (Akron 2009, HSDB 2009). 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is practically insoluble in water; soluble in chloroform, carbon disulfide, benzene, and ether; and very soluble in ethanol and acetone. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is noncorrosive, volatile, and combustible, and it is flammable when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. When it is heated to decomposition, toxic gases and vapors (such as hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide) are released (HSDB 2009). It is stable at room temperature under normal handling and storage in closed containers (Akron 2009).
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is the primary ingredient in mothballs and deodorant cakes placed in toilet bowls, urinals, and animal holding facilities. People may also use it to control lice and mites in and around birdcages. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is used as an insecticide on fruit and is used to control mold and mildew growth on tobacco seeds, leather, and certain fabrics. It is also approved for controlling wax moths in empty, stored beehives.
There are three isomeric forms of dichlorobenzene (DCB):
m-DCB is a flammable liquid and vapor.
Colorless to white crystals with a penetrating, sweet, mothball or almond-like odor. At 40 °C, the
average odor threshold concentration and the lowest concentration at which an odor was detected
were 18 and 4.5 μg/L, respectively. Similarly, at 25 °C, the average taste threshold concentration
and the lowest concentration at which a taste was detected were 32 and 11 μg/L, respectively
(Young et al., 1996). A detection odor threshold concentration of 73 μg/m3 (121 ppbv) was
reported by Punter (1983).
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is used to make mothballs and solid deodorant blocks for garbage cans and restrooms. It is also used to control odors in places where animals are held. It has been used as an insecticide on fruit, and to control mold and mildew on tobacco seeds, leather and some fabrics. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is sent into the air by plants that make or use it and a small amount is released to soil and water. This chemical can also be detected in indoor air where products containing 1,4-Dichlorobenzene are used.
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is used as a fumigantand as an insecticide. For domestic use against clothes moths; as space deodorant in room deodorizers, toilet bowl blocks and diaper pail deodorizers. Intermediate in production of plastics for electronic components.
1,4-Dichlorobenzene was first produced commercially in the United States in 1915 (IARC 1982). It is produced by reacting liquid benzene with gaseous chlorine in the presence of a catalyst at moderate temperature and atmospheric pressure. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is used mainly as a fumigant for the control of moths, molds, and mildews, and as a space deodorant for toilets and refuse containers.
ChEBI: 1,4-dichlorobenzene is a dichlorobenzene carrying chloro groups at positions 1 and 4. It has a role as an insecticide.
A white colored liquid with the odor of moth balls. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Flash point below 200°F. Used as a moth repellent, to make other chemicals, as a fumigant, and for many other uses.
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is incompatible with oxidizing agents. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is also incompatible with aluminum and its alloys. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene liquefies when mixed with camphor, phenol and salol. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. .
Toxic symptoms are headache, weakness,dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss ofweight, and injury to liver and kidney. Thesesymptoms occur from repeated inhalationof high concentrations of vapors or fromingestion. The vapors are an irritant to theeyes, throat, and skin. Chronic exposure maycause jaundice and cirrhosis. The oral LD50value in mice is in the range 3000 mg/kg.The fatal oral dose in humans is estimated tobe 40–50 g. Carcinogenic studies on animalshave not produced adequate evidence of anycancer-causing action.
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Vapors are irritating. Toxic chlorine, hydrogen chloride, and phosgene gases may be generated in fires.
DowTHERM®; EVOLA; PARACIDE®;
PARA CRYSTALS®; PARADI®; PARADOW®;
PARAMOTH®; PARANUGGETS®; PARAZENE®;
PERSIA-PERAZOL®; SANTOCHLOR®; Mixed isomers:
DILATIN DBI®; MOTTENSCHUTZMITTEL
EVAU P®; MOTT-EX®; TOTAMOTT®
Solid slowly sublimes acting as a resiratory toxin
There is limited evidence that 1,4-dichlorobenzene can damage a developing fetus. Exposure can damage the lungs, liver, kidneys, and blood cells, causing anemia; it can also cause swelling of the eyes, hands, and feet. It can damage the nervous system, causing weakness, trembling, and numbness in the arms and legs. It may cause a skin allergy, which when developed can cause itching and a skin rash. Higher levels of the chemical in air, such as the levels that are sometimes associated with industrial exposure, can cause headaches, nausea, clumsiness, slurred speech, and dizziness. Levels that would result in death would be associated with an odor so intense that it would be very unpleasant, if not intolerable, and would serve as a danger warning. In industrial situations, workers exposed to 1,4-dichlorobenzene at high levels are usually directed to wear respirators. Workers involved in the production of the chemical may be exposed to concentrations significantly higher than those encountered by the general population. High exposure levels may result from some consumer products of moth repellents and room deodorizers. Approximately 95% of the environmental release of 1,4-dichlorobenzene occurs during its use, rather than during its manufacture or processing.
The major uses of o-DCB are as
a process solvent in the manufacturing of toluene diisocyanate and as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyestuffs,
herbicides, and degreasers. p-Dichlorbenzene is used
primarily as a moth repellant, a mildew control agent;
space deodorant; and in insecticides, which accounts for
90% of the total production of this isomer. Information is
not available concerning the production and use of m-DCB.
However, it may occur as a contaminant of o-or p-DCB
formulations. Both o-and p-isomers are produced almost
entirely as by-products during the production of
monochlorobenzene
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.
1,4-Dichlorobenzene undergoes degradation by the
Xanthobacter flavus 14p1 isolated from river sludge by
selective enrichment with 1,4-dichlorobenzene,
resulting in the degradation products 3,6-dichloro-cis-
1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene and 3,6-
dichlorocatechol. 2,5-Dichloromuconic acid and 2-
chloromaleylacetic acid, as well as the decarboxylation
product 2-chloroacetoacrylic acid, are identified after
enzymatic conversion of 3,6-dichlorocatechol.
m-DCB: UN2810 Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s.,
Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials,
Technical Name Required. United States DOT Regulated
Marine Pollutant. UN3077 Environmentally hazardous
substances, solis, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels:
9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical NameRequired. UN3082 Environmentally hazardous substances,
liquid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical Name Required
o-Dichlorobenzene is a common impurity. The p-isomer has been purified by steam distillation, crystallisation from EtOH or boiling MeOH, air-dried and dried in the dark under vacuum. It has also been purified by zone refining. [Beilstein 5 IV 658.]
For o-DCB and m-DCB: acid fumes,
chlorides, strong oxidizers; hot aluminum, or aluminum
alloys. For p-DCB: Strong oxidizers; although, incompatibilities for this chemical may also include other materials
listed for o-DCB.
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for 1,4-dichlorobenzene is 800 μg/m3 based on an
annual averaging time.
Incineration, preferably
after mixing with another combustible fuel. Care must be
exercised to assure complete combustion to prevent
the formation of phosgene. An acid scrubber is necessary
to remove the halo acids produced. Consult with
environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on
acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing
this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA
regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and
waste disposal
