Methylcyclohexane
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Common Name: METHYLCYCLOHEXANE CAS Number: 108-87-2 RTK Substance number: 1242 DOT Number: UN 2296 Date: April 1997 Revision: April 2004 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Methylcyclohexane can affect you when breathed in. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health * Breathing Methylcyclohexane can irritate the nose and problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational throat. diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * Exposure to Methylcyclohexane can cause you to feel * ODOR THRESHOLD = 630 ppm. dizzy and lightheaded. Unconsciousness and death may * The range of accepted odor threshold values is quite occur at higher exposures. broad. Caution should be used in relying on odor alone as * Prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause cracking and a warning of potentially hazardous exposures. drying of exposed areas. * Methylcyclohexane may affect the liver and kidneys. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * Methylcyclohexane is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. (PEL) is 500 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. IDENTIFICATION Methylcyclohexane is a colorless liquid with a faint, NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Benzene-like odor. It is used as a solvent and to manufacture 400 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift. organic chemicals. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is REASON FOR CITATION 400 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * Methylcyclohexane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE DOT, NIOSH and NFPA. * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust List because it is FLAMMABLE. ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be * Definitions are provided on page 5. worn. * Wear protective work clothing. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Methylcyclohexane and at the end of the workshift. EXPOSED * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers addition, as part of an ongoing education and training to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public effort, communicate all information on the health and employers to provide their employees with information and safety hazards of Methylcyclohexane to potentially training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The exposed workers. 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. METHYLCYCLOHEXANE 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 more than light alcohol consumption can cause exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the damage caused by Methylcyclohexane. potential effects described below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most Acute Health Effects effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at immediately or shortly after exposure to Methylcyclohexane: the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is * Breathing Methylcyclohexane can irritate the nose and less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is throat. sometimes necessary. * Exposure to Methylcyclohexane can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Unconsciousness and death may In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: occur at higher exposures. (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether Chronic Health Effects harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when some time after exposure to Methylcyclohexane and can last significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. for months or years: In addition, the following controls are recommended: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Methylcyclohexane from drums or other storage containers Methylcyclohexane has not been tested for its ability to to process containers. cause cancer in animals. * Before entering a confined space where Methylcyclohexane may be present, check to make sure Reproductive Hazard that an explosive concentration does not exist. * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous Methylcyclohexane has not been tested for its ability to exposures. The following work practices are recommended: affect reproduction. * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Other Long-Term Effects Methylcyclohexane should change into clean clothing * Prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause cracking and promptly. drying of exposed areas. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * Methylcyclohexane may affect the liver and kidneys. individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Methylcyclohexane. MEDICAL * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency Medical Testing shower facilities should be provided. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * On skin contact with Methylcyclohexane, immediately following are recommended: wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have * Liver and kidney function tests. contacted Methylcyclohexane, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Methylcyclohexane is present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be damage already done are not a substitute for controlling swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, exposure. smoking, or using the toilet. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. METHYLCYCLOHEXANE page 3 of 6 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HANDLING AND STORAGE WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN * Prior to working with Methylcyclohexane you should be PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for trained on its proper handling and storage. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Methylcyclohexane is not compatible with OXIDIZING done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, controls are being installed), personal protective equipment PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, may be appropriate. CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the area away from HEAT, PLASTICS, RUBBER and appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and COATINGS. to train employees on how and when to use protective * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are equipment. prohibited where Methylcyclohexane is used, handled, or stored. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may * Metal containers involving the transfer of not apply to every situation. Methylcyclohexane should be grounded and bonded. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially Clothing when opening and closing containers of * Avoid skin contact with Methylcyclohexane. Wear Methylcyclohexane. solvent-resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) health effects? should be clean, available each day, and put on before A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from work. repeated exposures to a chemical. Eye Protection Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles term effects? when working with liquids. A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. you immediately sick. Respiratory