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Nitrobenzene
Nitrobenzol, Mirbane oil, Essence of Myrbane
SPRI Emission Reporting Threshold
10.0 Kg/yr Pollutant Emissions to Air
Disclaimer
This sheet is a generic summary, designed to give the reader a basic level of background information about the substance in
question. Great care has been taken to represent as effectively and correctly as possible the broad range of (not necessarily
consistent) information which is available from a variety of sources. The reader must accept therefore that this sheet has no legal
status and cannot be relied upon in any legal proceedings. SEPA disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever for errors and
omissions in this sheet.
What is it?
Under normal conditions, Nitrobenzene is a pale yellow, oily liquid, which has a smell similar to that of almonds. The solid crystals
melt at 6 degrees celsius and the liquid boils at 211 degrees celsius. Nitrobenzene is flammable. It dissolves only slightly in water,
but mixes well with most organic (carbon-containing) solvents. Nitrobenzene is one of a group of substances known as the volatile
organic compounds (VOCs).
What is it used for?
The main use of Nitrobenzene is to make the important industrial chemical Aniline, which is used in the manufacture of plastics and
rubbers, dyes, agrochemicals and petrol additives. Nitrobenzene is also used to make detergents and soaps, lubricating oils,
pesticides, pharmaceuticals and solvents.
Where does it come from?
Releases of Nitrobenzene may occur during its manufacture and during its varied uses in the chemical industry and elsewhere.
There are not thought to be any natural sources of Nitrobenzene to the environment.
How might it affect the environment?
High level exposure to Nitrobenzene is classed as toxic to wildlife, particularly aquatic life. However, it breaks down quickly in the
environment and so only very large releases (resulting from an accidental spill for example) are likely to cause harm.
Nitrobenzene is broken down quickly in the atmosphere. In soil and water, it is readily broken down by mico-organisms.
Nitrobenzene is not accumulated by fish or animals, but some plants can take it up and store it. As a VOC, Nitrobenzene may be
involved in the formation of ground level ozone, which can damage crops and materials. It is not considered likely that
Nitrobenzene pollution has any effects on the global environment.
How might exposure to it affect human health?
Nitrobenzene exposure mainly occurs in the occupational setting. Nitrobenzene can enter the body by inhalation of air containing
nitrobenzene vapours, ingestion of contaminated water or by dermal contact with nitrobenzene. Inhalation of air containing
elevated levels of nitrobenzene can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Exposure to large amounts of nitrobenzene can cause a
range of adverse health affects including nausea, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath and in extreme cases coma and death.
Ingestion of nitrobenzene may cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Ingestion of high levels of
nitrobenzene can cause symptoms similar to those for inhalation. Dermal contact with nitrobenzene may cause mild skin irritation.
Contact with the eyes can cause mild irritation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated nitrobenzene as a
possible carcinogen. However, exposure to nitrobenzene at normal background levels is unlikely to have any adverse effect on
human health.
What steps are being taken to limit the potential impacts?
Releases of Nitrobenzene are controlled through the UK Pollution, Prevention and Control (PPC) Regulations. As a VOC, levels of
Nitrobenzene in air are also controlled through the UK National Air Quality Strategy. It is also regulated through the European
Solvents Directive (99/13/EC) and the European Directive which evaluates and controls the risks of substances known to be in the
environment (793/93). The main international legislation regulating levels of VOCs such as Nitrobenzene is the UN/ECE Convention
on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the Basel Convention on the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous
wastes and it is listed as a candidate substance for priority action under the Helsinki and OSPAR Conventions which protect the
marine environments of the Baltic Sea and north-east Atlantic Ocean respectively.
Data Reuse Conditions