Chrysene

1Identification

Name

Chrysene

IUPAC name

chrysene

CAS number

218-01-9

EC number

205-923-4

Molecular formula

C18H12

Molecular weight

228.3 g/mol

InChIKey

WDECIBYCCFPHNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C=CC3=C2C=CC4=CC=CC=C43

PubChem CID

9171

Synonyms

Benzo[a]phenanthrene, 1,2-Benzophenanthrene, 1,2-Benzphenanthrene, 1,2,5,6-Dibenzonaphthalene, Benz(a)phenanthrene, Benzo(a)phenanthrene, Chrysen, Benz[a]phenanthrene, RefChem:5685, ChryseneNSC 6175, Chrysene, analytical standard, Chrysene solution, Coal tar pitch volatiles: chrysene, Chrysene (Standard)

Recommended uses

• Used in organic synthesis and in research; [HSDB]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Organic synthesis.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Chrysene, alone, is not produced in the United States except as a laboratory research chemical ...
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Binder
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Description

• Chrysene can cause cancer according to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
• Chrysene appears as a crystalline solid. Denser than water and insoluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Chrysene is an ortho-fused polycyclic arene found commonly in the coal tar. It has a role as a plant metabolite.
  ChEBI

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Danger

Pictograms

GHS08, GHS09

Classification source

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

6 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

Health hazards

• ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: Toxic. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]: Some may burn but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Some may be transported hot. For UN3508, Capacitor, asymmetric, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported in a charged state. Polymeric beads, expandable (UN2211) may evolve flammable vapours. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Combustible. Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• Toxic by ingestion; [CAMEO] See POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS.
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• 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. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Symptoms of exposure

• Acute exposure to PAHs causes irritation and inflammation of the skin and lung tissue. (A10)
  Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)

5Fire-fighting measures

• Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Isolation and evacuation

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]: 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 the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary. FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Spill cleanup

• Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered sealable containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": A high-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) or charcoal filters can be used to minimize amt of carcinogen in exhausted air ventilated safety cabinets, lab hoods, glove boxes or animal rooms ... Filter housing that is designed so that used filters can be transferred into plastic bag without contaminating maintenance staff is avail commercially. Filters should be placed in plastic bags immediately after removal ... The plastic bag should be sealed immediately ... The sealed bag should be labelled properly ... Waste liquids ... should be placed or collected in proper containers for disposal. The lid should be secured & the bottles properly labelled.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• ... In surface, waters, one-third of the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is bound to larger suspended particles, a third is bound to finely dispersed particles, and the last third is present in dissolved form. The particle-bound portion of PAHs can be removed by sedimentation, flocculation, and filtration processes. The remaining one-third dissolved PAH usually requires oxidation for partial removal/transformation. /Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Separated from strong oxidants. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

Personal protective equipment

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• 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).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Skin protection: Handle with gloves.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• Vigorous reactions, sometimes amounting to explosions, can result from the contact between aromatic hydrocarbons, such as CHRYSENE, and strong oxidizing agents. They can react exothermically with bases and with diazo compounds. Substitution at the benzene nucleus occurs by halogenation (acid catalyst), nitration, sulfonation, and the Friedel-Crafts reaction.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Insoluble in water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Chemical stability

• Stable under recommended storage conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Long-term exposure effects

• This substance is possibly carcinogenic to humans.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 12 of the supplier's SDS.

13Disposal considerations

• Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U050, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

DOT label

• Class 9
  CAMEO Chemicals

UN classification

• UN Hazard Class: 9; UN Pack Group: III
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• 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)/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• U050; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when chrysene, as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 9171 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.