Benzo[e]pyren

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.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

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.

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

You should protect this material from exposure to light, and store it in a refrigerator.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

As an 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, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown above.

Small Spills and Leakage: If you spill this chemical, first remove all sources of ignition, then dampen the solid spill material with toluene, then 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.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then dampen the solid spill material with toluene, then 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.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for BENZO(E)PYRENE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

8 Hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 0.2 mg/cu m. /Coal tar pitch volatiles, as benzene soluble aerosol/

Peak Exposure Recommendation: Transient increases in workers' exposure levels may exceed 3 times the value of the TLV-TWA level for no more than 15 minutes at a time, on no more than 4 occasions spaced 1 hour apart during a workday, and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 times the value of the TLV-TWA level. In addition, the 8-hour TWA is not to be exceeded for an 8-hour work period. /Coal tar pitch volatiles, as benzene soluble aerosol/

A1; Confirmed human carcinogen. /Coal tar pitch volatiles, as benzene soluble aerosol/

Biological Exposure Index (BEI): Determinant: 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in urine (with hydrolysis); Sampling Time: end of shift at end of workweek. BEI: None.; Biological monitoring should be considered for this compound based on the review; however, a specific BEI could not be determined due to insufficient data. /Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons/

For more Threshold Limit Values (TLV) (Complete) data for BENZO(E)PYRENE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

MINIMUM PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: If Tyvek-type disposable protective clothing is not worn during handling of this chemical, wear disposable Tyvek-type sleeves taped to your gloves.

Eye/face protection: Safety glasses with side-shields conforming to EN166. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Skin protection: Handle with gloves.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Body Protection: Impervious clothing. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

Respiratory protection: Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle respirator type N100 (US) or type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).[Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Benzo

For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for BENZO(E)PYRENE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

... In this research, we studied the photoirradiation of isomeric methylbenzo[a]pyrene (MBaP) and methylbenzo[e]pyrene (MBeP) by UVA light in the presence of a lipid, methyl linoleate, and evaluated the potential of these compounds to induce lipid peroxidation. The compounds chosen for study included BaP, 3-MBaP, 4-MBaP, 6-MBaP, 7-MBaP, 10-MBaP, BeP, 4-MBeP, and 9-MBeP. The results indicate that upon photoirradiation by UVA at 7 and 21 J/sq cm, these compounds induced lipid peroxidation. The levels of the induced lipid peroxidation were similar among BaP and the isomeric MBaPs, and among the BeP and MBePs, with the BaP group higher than the BeP group. There was also a co-relation between the UV A light dose and the level of lipid peroxidation induced. Lipid peroxide formation was inhibited by NaN3 (singlet oxygen and free radical scavenger) and was enhanced by the presence of deuterium oxide (D2O) (extends singlet oxygen lifetime). These results suggest that photoirradiation of MBaPs and MBePs by UVA light generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce lipid peroxidation.

Benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]P) inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) skin tumor-initiation in mice by 84%, whereas pyrene and fluoranthene inhibited DMBA initiation by 50 and 34%, respectively. ...

Benzo(e)pyrene, when administered to mice by skin application together with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene or benzo(a)pyrene, resulted in fewer skin tumors than with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene alone and in more skin tumors than with benzo(a)pyrene alone.

Groups of 20 female Fischer 344 rats (aged unspecified) received implants of beeswax pellets containing either 1 mg benzo(a)pyrene, 0.5 mg benzo(a)pyrene, 1 mg benzo(e)pyrene (purity unspecified), 0.5 mg benzo(a)pyrene + 1 mg benzo(e)pyrene, or 1 mg benzo(a)pyrene + 1 mg benzo(e)pyrene in tracheas from isogenic donors transplanted subcutaneously in the retroscapular region (two tracheas/animal). All surviving animals were killed 28 months after the start of exposure. Benzo(e)pyrene did not induce tumors in tracheal explants, while 1 mg benzo(a)pyrene induced carcinomas in 65% of the grafts. Benzo(e)pyrene appeared to reduce the incidence of carcinomas from 65% (benzo(a)pyrene alone) to 40% (benzo(a)pyrene plus benzo(e)pyrene). However, the incidence of sarcoma in tracheal and peritracheal explants was enhanced two- to three-fold by benzo(e)pyrene given with benzo(a)pyrene compared with benzo(a)pyrene alone.

For more Interactions (Complete) data for BENZO(E)PYRENE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a measured soil Koc value of 6.9X10+5(2), indicates that benzo(e)pyrene is expected to be essentially immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of benzo(e)pyrene from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.0X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its extrapolated vapor pressure, 5.7X10-9 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 0.0063 mg/L(4). Benzo(e)pyrene is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its extrapolated vapor pressure(3). Limited biodegradation data, specific to benzo(e)pyrene, suggest that biodegradation is slow(5,6); 87% of the initial benzo(e)pyrene remained after 1280 days of incubation(6); soil degradation studies conducted over 4 weeks found that all higher ring PAHs were only slightly or not biodegraded(6). In general, PAHs with five or more benzene rings do not biodegrade readily(7). Benzo(e)pyrene is susceptible to direct photolysis(8,9) on soil surfaces exposed to sunlight.

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a measured Koc value of 6.9X10+5(2), indicates that benzo(e)pyrene is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.0X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its extrapolated vapor pressure, 5.7X10-9 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 0.0063 mg/L(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 8200(SRC), from its log Kow of 6.44(7) and a regression-derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is very high(SRC), provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC). However, it may not bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms which contain microsomal oxidase, such as fish, as this enzyme enables the rapid metabolism of certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(9). A measured fish biotransformation half-life of 1.1 days has been reported for the analogous compound benzo(a)pyrene(10). Benzo(e)pyrene absorbs strongly at wavelengths >290 nm(14) and, therefore, is expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis on water surfaces exposed to sunlight(SRC). Benzo(e)pyrene is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). Limited biodegradation data, specific to benzo(e)pyrene, suggest that biodegradation is slow(11,12). In general, PAHs with five or more benzene rings do not biodegrade readily(13).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), benzo(e)pyrene, which has an extrapolated vapor pressure of 5.7X10-9 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist primarily in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Based on an estimated super-cooled vapor pressure of 1.8X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C(3), a small percentage of benzo(e)pyrene is expected to exist in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere(1). Similar PAHs have been detected in the vapor phase in ambient air(4,5). Vapor-phase benzo(e)pyrene is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 7.7 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 5.0X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase benzo(e)pyrene is also degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is also estimated to be 7.7 hours(SRC), calculated from a measured rate constant of 5.0X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(6). Particulate-phase benzo(e)pyrene may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Benzo(e)pyrene absorbs strongly at wavelengths >290 nm(7,8) and, therefore, is expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

In meat the amount of benzo(e)pyrene present depends on the method of cooking: time of exposure, distance of the heat source and whether or not the melted fat is allowed to drip into the heat source. Charcoal broiled or barbecued meat contained 1.7 to 7.5 ug/kg; up to 17.5 ug/kg were found in charcoal broiled T bone steak. In smoked ham, up to 5.2 ug/kg benzo(e)pyrene were found; heavy smoking increased the content to 17.9 ug/kg. Benzo(e)pyrene was detected in tomatoes at a concentration of 0.2 ug/kg. 1 out of 15 brands of whisky contained benzo(e)pyrene at a concentration of 0.3 ug/L; black tea extract contained 1.9 to 22.3 ug/kg benzo(e)pyrene; baker's dry yeast contained 3.1 to 55 ug/kg; roasted peanuts contained up to 0.4 ug/kg benzo(e)pyrene; and roasted coffee contained 0.3 to 7.2 ug/kg benzo(e)pyrene. The compound has laso been detected not qunatified in salad, tomatoes, spinach, kale, cereals, vegetables, roasted coffee, black tea, roasted peanuts and yeast(1).

The following benzo(e)pyrene concentrations have been reported for various foods, ug/kg: smoked herring and salmon, 0.4 to 1.2; barbecued beef, 1.7; canned smoked oysters, 16.0; canned non smoked oysters, 1.0; smoked sausage, hams, pork and bacon, 0.2 to 2.0; charbroiled steak, chicken, hamburger and frankfurters, 2.0 to 20; vegetable oils, 0.4 to 2.6; spinach, 6.9; salads, 3.7 to 14.7; kale, 1.1 to 76.2; soybeans, 4.3; cereals, 0.3 to 4.9; various char broiled steaks and ribs, 5.5 to 7.5(1). Based upon a total diet study conducted in the United Kingdom, the contribution of benzo(e)pyrene from individual food groups to the total dietary load are as follows: cereals, 31%; meat, 3%; fish, 1%; oils/fats, 53%; fruit/sugar, 3%; vegetables, 9%; and beverages and milk, 0%(2); benzo(e)pyrene concentrations in the individual food groups were as follows, ug/kg: cereals, 0.17 to 0.29 (0.22 average); meat, <0.08 to 0.13 (0.03 average); fish, 0.09 to 0.34 (0.12 average); oils/fats, <0.08 to 3.20 (1.10 average); fruits and sugars, <0.08 to 0.08 (0.03 average); root vegetables, <0.08 to 0.15 (0.02 average); other vegetables, <0.08 to 0.40 (0.10 average); beverages and milk, <0.08 (the detection limit)(2). Benzo(e)pyrene levels of 0.05 to 23 ug/kg were detected in fat samples taken from 26 food products on the Finish market(3); the highest levels were in margarine(3). Benzo(e)pyrene concentrations of 1.29-89.94 ug/kg were detected in Spanish olive pomace oil(4).

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Benzo(e)pyrene (B(e)P) is a constituent of coal tar. It is used in experimental research. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances, such as tobacco and charbroiled meat. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: B(e)P is a toxic element in cigarette smoke. It is a toxicant to human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro. It causes cell death and induces apoptosis by the involvement of multiple caspase pathways. Human microvascular endothelial cells exposed to B(e)P showed a decrease in cell viability. It induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in HeLa cells in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system. The agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. ANIMAL STUDIES: It has been observed to cause violent uveitis when injected intraocularly in animal eyes. One study showed that B(e)P is a very weak tumor initiator, a weak complete carcinogen, a moderate tumor promoter, possibly a weak co-tumor-initiator when given with benzo(a)pyrene, and a potent anit-tumor-initiator when given with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. In another study, a group of 20 female mice received applications of a 0.1% solution of benzo(e)pyrene by skin painting for life. Of five animals that survived 13 months after the start of treatment, two had skin papillomas and three had carcinomas. In other experiment, 30 female mice received 100 ug benzo(e)pyrene by skin application for 30 weeks. At 30 weeks, 68% of the mice had papillomas (2.1 papillomas/mouse); and at 40 weeks, 24% of mice had carcinomas. Benzo(e)pyrene was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium in the presence of an exogenous metabolic system. It did not induce mitotic recombination in yeast. It did not induce mutations or sister chromatid exchange in cultured mammalian cells and was negative in assays for morphological transformation. In the one available report, it did not induce chromosomal aberrations in vitro. In the one available in-vivo study, it induced sister chromatid exchange, but not chromosomal aberrations in hamster bone marrow.

The ability of PAH's to bind to blood proteins such as albumin allows them to be transported throughout the body. Many PAH's induce the expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1, by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor or glycine N-methyltransferase protein. These enzymes metabolize PAH's into their toxic intermediates. The reactive metabolites of PAHs (epoxide intermediates, dihydrodiols, phenols, quinones, and their various combinations) covalently bind to DNA and other cellular macromolecules, initiating mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. (L10, L23, A27, A32)

FOOD: Based upon a total diet study conducted in the United Kingdom, the total dietary load of benzo(e)pyrene is 0.17 ug/person/day assuming a total diet consumption of 1.46 kg food and beverages(1). Based upon a survey of Dutch foods, the mean intake of benzo(e)pyrene was reported to be 0.14 ug/person/day(2). AIR: Based upon an ambient air monitoring study conducted in Osaka, Japan in 1981-1982, the avg daily respiratory intake was determined to be 22 ng/day/man(3).

Lettuce and rye that were grown at a site near a highway had benzo(e)pyrene concentrations of 0.1 to 3.5 ug/kg fresh wt(1). Since the 1840s, crops have been harvested and stored for long term agricultural studies at a site in the UK(2); benzo(e)pyrene levels in grass samples were found to vary from 28 ug/kg in 1860 to 1862 to 93 ug/kg in 1879 to 1881 and then fall gradually to 5 ug/kg in 1985 to 1986(2); between 1877 and 1984, levels in wheat grain ranged from 0.29 to 2.50 ug/kg with the lowest levels occurring most recently(2).

Benzo(e)pyrene concentrations of 66-89 ng/g dry wt were detected in seston blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) taken from the coastal area of the northern Baltic(1). Gallbladders of common eider ducks (Somateria mollissima), which feed on the mussels, had a mean concentration of 2.1 ng/g dry wt(1). Benthic organisms (worms and midges) taken from the Raison River and Lake Erie near a Detroit power plant had benzo(e)pyrene levels of 20 to 110 ppb(2). Slugs, beetles, millipedes, earthworms and Casuarina littorina collected near a roadside in Brisbane, Australia contained 7, 2.5, 1, 13, and 4 ng/g wet weight benzo(e)pyrene, respectively(3).

Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is subject to effluent limitations. /Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (including benzanthracenes, benzopyrenes, benzofluoranthene, chrysenes, dibenz-anthracenes, and indenopyrenes)/

For the maximum protection of human health from the potential carcinogenic effects of exposure to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons through ingestion of contaminated water and contaminated aquatic organisms, the ambient water concentration should be zero, based on the nonthreshold assumption for this chemical. However, zero level may not be attainable at the present time. Therefore, the levels which may result in incremental increase of cancer risk over the lifetime are estimated at 1X10-5, 1X10-6, and 1X10-7. The corresponding recommended criteria are 28.0 ng/L, 2.8 ng/L, and 0.28 ng/L, respectively. If these estimates are made for consumption of aquatic organisms only, excluding consumption of water, the levels are 311.0 ng/L, 31.1 ng/L, and 3.11 ng/L, respectively. /Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons/.

A constituent of coal tar; [Merck Index] Used in biochemical research; [HSDB]

BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH

... /Benzo(e)pyrene/ has been employed for experimental production of tumors of rat conjunctiva.

There is no ... known use of this compound.

PAHs are generally not produced commercially in the United States except as research chemicals. /Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons/

Substance listed with specific concentration in tattoo ink and/or permanent make up according to EU Commission Regulation 2020/2081. The concentration limit (by weight) is 0.00005%.

(1975) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN US

(1977) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN US

There is no commercial production ... of this compound.

Benzo(e)pyrene occurs ubiquitously in products of incomplete combustion; it is also found in fossil fuels.

Constituent of coal tar.

PAHs are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances, such as tobacco and charbroiled meat. There are more than 100 different PAHs. PAHs generally occur as complex mixtures (for example, as part of combustion products such as soot), not as single compounds. PAHs usually occur naturally, but they can be manufactured as individual compounds for research purposes; however, not as the mixtures found in combustion products. ... Others are contained in asphalt used in road construction. They can also be found in substances such as crude oil, coal, coal tar pitch, creosote, and roofing tar. They are found throughout the environment in the air, water, and soil. They can occur in the air, either attached to dust particles or as solids in soil or sediment. /Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons/