Anthracene (Paranaphthalene) Cas No. 120-12-7

Anthracene

(Paranaphthalene)

Cas No. 120-12-7

Potential sources and exposure

Anthracene is a PAH. The reader should refer to the general profile on PAHs

for exposure information.

Physical and chemical properties

Reference

Property (a)

Value

Molecular weight

178.2

Mabey et al. (1982)

Water solubility

1.29 ppm at 25 C

Verschueren (1983)

-2

4.510 ppm at 25 C

Mabey et al. (1982)

-5

1.710 mmHg at 20 C

Vapor pressure

Mabey et al. (1982)

1.4 10

Koc

Mabey et al. (1982)

2.8 10

Kow

Mabey et al. (1982)

-5

-3

Henry's Law Constant

8.6 10 atm /mol at 25 C

Mabey et al. (1982)

Different values for the physical and chemical properties of various

compounds are reported in the literature by different sources. The values differ

typically because the experiments used to determine them were performed under

different conditions (e.g., temperature). For more information about the

properties of various compounds, the investigator should consult the different

databases that have been compiled such as the Integrated Risk Information

System (IRIS) that is available from the USEPA.

Toxicity

No epidemiological studies were identified which examined possible human

health effects resulting from exposure to anthracene. Few reports of health

effects in humans resulting from anthracene exposure exist. It is reported that

three cases of epithelioma (any tumor derived from epithelium) of the hand,

cheek, and wrist occurred in men handling crude anthracene in an alizarin

factory (Kennaway 1924 as cited in International Agency for Research Center

1983). In another instance it was reported that in studies on the treatment of

psoriasis, anthracene solubilized in an alcohol N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone vehicle,

induced photosensitive reactions when administered topically in low

concentrations (~O.25%) to humans in combination with ultraviolet (UV)

radiation (Urbanek 1980 and Walter 1980 as cited in IARC 1983).

Appendix D Toxicological Profiles