Common Name: P-TOLUENE SULFONIC ACID HAZARD
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Common Name: p-TOLUENE SULFONIC ACID CAS Number: 104-15-4 DOT Number: UN 2583 (solid, with more than 5% free Sulfuric Acid) UN 2585 (solid, with less than 5% free RTK Substance number: 1870 Sulfuric Acid) Date: October 1996 Revision: May 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid can affect you when breathed in. No occupational exposure limits have been established for * p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid. This does not mean that this and contact can cause severe skin and eye irritation and substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always burns. be followed. * Exposure to p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing burning, dryness and WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE coughing. * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust IDENTIFICATION ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid is a colorless, clear, or dark-colored worn. liquid or a colorless, crystalline (sand-like) material. It is used * Wear protective work clothing. to make dyes, drugs and other chemicals. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to p- Toluene Sulfonic Acid and at the end of the workshift. REASON FOR CITATION * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In * p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid is on the Hazardous Substance addition, as part of an ongoing education and training List because it is cited by DOT and NFPA. effort, communicate all information on the health and * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance safety hazards of p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid to potentially List because it is CORROSIVE. exposed workers. * Definitions are provided on page 5. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees. * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. p-TOLUENE SULFONIC ACID page 2 of 6 This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Mixed Exposures potential and most severe health hazards that may result from * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. potential effects described below. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will --------------------------------------------------------------------------- reduce your risk of developing health problems. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Acute Health Effects Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most immediately or shortly after exposure to p-Toluene Sulfonic effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to Acid: enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also * Contact can cause severe skin and eye irritation and burns. reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is * Exposure to p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid can irritate the nose less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is and throat causing burning, dryness and coughing. sometimes necessary. Chronic Health Effects In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the some time after exposure to p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid and can substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether last for months or years: harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Cancer Hazard significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, In addition, the following control is recommended: p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. * Where possible, automatically transfer solid p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid or pump liquid p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid Reproductive Hazard from drums or other storage containers to process * According to the information presently available to the New containers. Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid has not been tested for its ability Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous to affect reproduction. exposures. The following work practices are recommended: Other Long-Term Effects * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by * p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid should change into clean clothing exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, promptly. phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. MEDICAL * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid. Medical Testing * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the work area for emergency use. following are recommended: * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * Lung function tests. * On skin contact with p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid, * Exam of the eyes. immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and may have contacted p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid, whether or present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for not known skin contact has occurred. damage already done are not a substitute for controlling * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where p-Toluene Sulfonic exposure. Acid is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right drinking, smoking, or using the toilet. to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. * For solid p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. p-TOLUENE SULFONIC ACID page 3 of 6 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HANDLING AND STORAGE WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN * Prior to working with p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid you should PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for be trained on its proper handling and storage. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid is not compatible with done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, controls are being installed), personal protective equipment PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, may be appropriate. NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); METALS; WATER; STRONG ACIDS (such as OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and AMMONIA; AMINES; ISOCYANATES; VINYL to train employees on how and when to use protective ACETATE; and EPICHLOROHYDRIN. equipment. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from COMBUSTIBLES. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Clothing * Avoid skin contact with p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid. Wear Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic acid-resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment health effects? suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from the most protective glove/clothing material for your repeated exposures to a chemical. operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- should be clean, available each day, and put on before term effects? work. A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make Eye Protection you immediately sick. * For solid p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or goggles. Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles exposed to chemicals? when working with liquids. A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is corrosive, highly