Key study:Shugaev, B.B. 1969. Concentrations of hydrocarbons in tissues as a measure of toxicity. Arch. Environ. Health 18(6):878-882.
Toxicity end point:Lethality study in mice exposed for 2 h. The calculated 2-h LC01 is 160,000 ppm.
Time scaling:C3 × t = k for extrapolation to 10 min, flatlining assumed from 30 min to 8-h exposure (based on 2-h steady-state concentration).
k = (160,000 ppm)3 × 30 min = 1.2 × 1017 ppm3-min
Uncertainty factors:Total uncertainty factor of 3 for differences between species and individuals.
Calculations:
10-min AEGL-3:C3 × 10 min = 1.2 × 1017 ppm3-min C = 230,760 ppm
230,760 ÷ 3 = 77,000 ppm (rounded) (18,000 mg/m3)
30-min AEGL-3:C = 160,000 ppm (2-h steady state concentration) 160,000 ppm ÷ 3 = 53,000 ppma (rounded) (130,000 mg/m3)
1-h AEGL-3:Set equivalent to the 30-min AGEL-3 of 53,000 ppma (130,000mg/m3)
4-h AEGL-3:Set equivalent to the 30-min AGEL-3 of 53,000 ppma (130,000mg/m3)
8-h AEGL-3:Set equivalent to the 30-min AGEL-3 of 53,000 ppma (130,000mg/m3)
a

The AEGL-3 values are greater than the lower explosive limit for butane in air of 19,000 ppm. Therefore, extreme safety considerations against the hazard of explosion must be taken into account.

From: 1, Butane: Acute Exposure Guideline Levels

Cover of Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Selected Airborne Chemicals: Volume 12.
Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels; Committee on Toxicology; Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology; Division on Earth and Life Studies; National Research Council.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2012 Apr 27.
Copyright 2012 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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