Dust entry

Phthalic anhydride dust

Airborne phthalic anhydride particulate generated during chemical production and handling of this intermediate used in resins, plasticisers, dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

occupational asthma concernrespiratory sensitizationrhinitis concernconjunctivitis concern

Evidence

The UK HSE review reports convincing evidence that phthalic anhydride can cause asthma and rhinitis in exposed workers, including positive bronchial challenges, and classifies it as a respiratory sensitiser under its reviewed criteria.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 69 · C22: PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE — Summary and conclusion · 1

The results of chemical factory health surveys in several countries provide convincing evidence that phthalic anhydride can cause asthma and rhinitis in a proportion of exposed individuals. This conclusion is backed up by occasional reports of phthalic anhydride-associated asthma in earlier literature and a number of recent case reports. Some positive bronchial challenge test results are also available.

Controls

enclose phthalic anhydride production and transfer
use local exhaust ventilation
avoid generating airborne powder
protect skin and eyes
use appropriate respiratory protection where exposure assessment indicates it is needed