Hydroquinone


 * Hydroquinone: **

Also ** benzene-1,4-diol ** or ** quinol **, is an //**[|aromatic]**// [|organic compound] that is a type of [|phenol] , having the [|chemical formula] C 6 H 4 (OH) 2. Its [|chemical structure], shown in the table at right, has two [|hydroxyl groups] [|bonded] to a [|benzene ring] in a [|//para//] position. It is a white granular [|solid]. Substituted derivatives of this parent compound are also referred to as hydroquinones.

Hydroquinone can affect you if it is breathed in. It can cause fatal poisoning when swallowed and can cause mutations, be sure to handle it with extreme caution. This can irritate and burn the eyes, also it can irritate the skin and cause a rash and changes in skin color. It can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness, and muscle twitching. May cause a skin allergy and could affect the liver and kidneys. Hydroquinone is used in skin fading/lightner, hair color and bleaching, facial moisturizer/treatment. There is limited evidence that it has a carcinogenic effect and limited evidence of mutagenic effect. Though there is a possible risk of irreversible effects. It is harmful if swallowed and it is an irritant. There is a risk of causing serious damage to the eyes and may cause sensitization by skin contact. It is dangerous for the environment and toxic to aquatic organisms. It is used in black and white photography development, as a stabilizer in paints and oils, and as a chemical intermediate. It is also used as a photo developer, oil and fat antioxidant, chemical intermediate, topical medication, and inhibitor of vinyl acetate and acrylic polymerization. Symptoms if hydroquinone is inhaled is a cough and labored breathing. If it gets on the skin it can irritate it and cause redness. If it gets into the eyes it causes redness, pain, and blurred vision. If ingested it can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, convulsions, vomiting, and ringing in the ears