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0115 Date: March 2002 Revision: May 2011 DOT Number: UN 2683

0115 Date: March 2002 Revision: May 2011 DOT Number: UN 2683

Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name:

Synonyms: Ammonium Monosulfide; Diammonium Sulfide CAS Number: 12135-76-1 Chemical Name: Ammonium Sulfide RTK Substance Number: 0115 Date: March 2002 Revision: May 2011 DOT Number: UN 2683

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Ammonium Sulfide is a yellow, crystalline (sand-like) solid Summary that is usually in a . It has a very strong rotten Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA egg and and is used in “stink bombs,” HEALTH 3 - photographic developing and textile manufacturing. FLAMMABILITY 3 - REACTIVITY 0 - CORROSIVE AND FLAMMABLE POISONOUS ARE PRODUCED IN CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Reasons for Citation Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; f Ammonium Sulfide is on the Right to Know Hazardous 4=severe Substance List because it is cited by DOT and EPA. f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance f Ammonium Sulfide can affect you when inhaled and by List. passing through the skin.

f Ammonium Sulfide is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Ammonium Sulfide can irritate the nose, throat and causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. f Exposure can cause , , irritability, lightheadedness, and passing out. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. f Ammonium Sulfide is a FLAMMABLE SOLID and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. FIRST AID f Ammonium Sulfide, in the presence of MOISTURE, can produce toxic and flammable SULFIDE. Eye Contact Consult the Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30 on . minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact

lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention.

Skin Contact Workplace Exposure Limits f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek The following exposure limits are for Hydrogen Sulfide: medical attention. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is

10 ppm, which should not be exceeded in any Inhalation 10-minute work period. f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue (using universal precautions) if ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 1 ppm averaged breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm as a STEL f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. (short-term exposure limit).

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Control: 1-800-222-1222 CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802

AMMONIUM SULFIDE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Sulfide has not Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects f Ammonium Sulfide can irritate the lungs. Repeated f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. Sheet, available on the RTK website (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. Medical f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Medical Testing Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act greater, or significant skin contact) the following are if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the recommended before beginning work and at regular times after federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you that: are a private worker. f function tests f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and requires public employers to provide their employees with present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for information concerning chemical and controls. damage already done are not a substitute for controlling The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 exposure. CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication You have a legal right to request copies of your medical testing Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical similar information and training to their employees. Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information Mixed Exposures regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, Duration of exposure, of the substance and other emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if effects described below. you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems.

Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Ammonium Sulfide: f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Ammonium Sulfide can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. f Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, irritability, lightheadedness, and passing out.

Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Ammonium Sulfide and can last for months or years:

Cancer Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Sulfide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in .

AMMONIUM SULFIDE Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures Eye Protection include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely f Wear direct vent goggles when airborne particles or dust are irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust present. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single f Wear indirect vent goggles when working with that exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control may splash, spray or mist. A face shield is also required if exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on the is severely irritating or corrosive to the skin and workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control eyes. Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. f Do not wear contact lenses when working with this substance. The following work practices are also recommended: Respiratory Protection f Label process containers. Improper use of is dangerous. Respirators f Provide employees with hazard information and training. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written f Monitor airborne chemical . program that takes into account workplace conditions, f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed requirements for worker training, fit testing, and recommended exposure levels. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). material. f Always wash at the end of the workshift. f Where the potential exists for exposure to solid Ammonium f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes Sulfide, use a NIOSH approved negative pressure, air- contaminated. purifying, particulate filter respirator with an N, R or P95 f Do not take contaminated clothing home. filter. More protection is provided by a full facepiece f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater f Do not eat, , or drink in areas where chemicals are protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. being handled, processed or stored. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect applying cosmetics or using the toilet. Ammonium Sulfide, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye In addition, the following may be useful or required: irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good.

If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer f Before entering a confined space where Ammonium good, you may need a new respirator. Sulfide may be present, check to make sure that an f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. concentration does not exist. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges f Where possible, transfer Ammonium Sulfide from drums or to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as other containers to process containers in an enclosed vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. system. f Where the potential exists for exposure over 1 ppm (as Hydrogen Sulfide), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air Personal Protective Equipment respirator with a full facepiece operated in a pressure- demand or other positive-pressure mode. For increased The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR protection use in combination with an auxiliary self-contained 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate breathing apparatus or an emergency escape air cylinder. personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train employees on how and when to use protective equipment. Fire Hazards If employees are expected to fight , they must be trained The following recommendations are only guidelines and may and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard not apply to every situation. (29 CFR 1910.156).

Gloves and Clothing f Ammonium Sulfide is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID. f Use dry chemical, water spray or foam as extinguishing f Avoid skin contact with Ammonium Sulfide. Wear personal agents. protective equipment made from material that can not be f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety Hydrogen Sulfide, , Oxides and equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide Ammonia. recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing f CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. material for your operation. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. f The recommended glove materials for Sulfur compounds, f Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to cause and are Shield®/4H®, Viton and a fire or explosion far from the source and flash back. Barrier®. f Ammonium Sulfide may form an ignitable vapor/air mixture f The recommended protective clothing materials for in closed tanks or containers. Hydrogen Sulfide are Tychem® BR, CSM and TK, or the equivalent. AMMONIUM SULFIDE Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be Resources properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health offers multiple services 1910.120) may apply. in occupational health. These services include providing informational resources, educational materials, public If Ammonium Sulfide is spilled or leaked, take the following presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical steps: investigations and evaluations. f Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the area. f Eliminate all ignition sources. For more information, please contact: f Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a noncombustible material and place into sealed containers for disposal. New Jersey Department of Health f Collect solid material in the most convenient and safe Right to Know manner and place into sealed containers for disposal. PO Box 368 f Ventilate area of spill or leak. Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 f Keep Ammonium Sulfide out of confined spaces, such as sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. Phone: 609-984-2202 f DO NOT wash into sewer. Fax: 609-984-7407 f It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ammonium E-mail: [email protected] Sulfide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Web address: http://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. are not intended to be copied and sold

for commercial purposes.

Handling and Storage

Prior to working with Ammonium Sulfide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. f Ammonium Sulfide reacts explosively with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, , PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, , , BROMINE and ). f Ammonium Sulfide reacts with STRONG (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) to produce toxic and flammable Hydrogen Sulfide . f Ammonium Sulfide reacts with STRONG BASES (such as and HYDROXIDE) to produce Ammonia. f Ammonium Sulfide slowly produces Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia in the presence of MOISTURE. f Ammonium Sulfide corrodes and and their

ALLOYS. f Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated

area away from MOISTURE. f Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are

prohibited where Ammonium Sulfide is used, handled, or

stored. f containers involving the transfer of Ammonium

Sulfide should be grounded and bonded. f Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when

opening and closing containers of Ammonium Sulfide.

AMMONIUM SULFIDE Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. continuing an explosion.

mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals. A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation

is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations point is the temperature at which a substance can can to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.

NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves

respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the proposes standards to OSHA. regulations of the United States government.

NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. and reviews evidence for cancer.

A is a gas, liquid or solid that causes OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health destruction of human skin or severe of containers. Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety

standards. The critical temperature is the temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied. PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational

Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental safety standards in public workplaces. Protection.

Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency materials. that regulates the transportation of chemicals.

ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal measure of concentration by volume in air. agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.

Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and emergency responders for transportation emergencies ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical involving hazardous substances. release events.

Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases provide estimates of concentration ranges where one energy under certain conditions. reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.

STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- A fetus is an unborn human or . minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time

during a work day. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by

damaging the fetus. The is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in

air above which there is too much (gas or vapor) to begin a IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a reaction or explosion. scientific .

Vapor is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to one gas to the weight of another (usually Air), at the same remove an electron from an atom or . It is measured temperature and pressure. in electron volts.

The is a force exerted by the vapor in IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on equilibrium with the solid or liquid of the same human health effects that may result from exposure to various substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher chemicals, maintained by federal EPA. concentration of the substance in air.

Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: AMMONIUM SULFIDE Synonyms: Ammonium Monosulfide; Diammonium Sulfide CAS No: 12135-76-1 Molecular Formula: (NH4)2S RTK Substance No: 0115 Description: Yellow, crystalline solid, usually in a water solution, with a very strong rotten egg and Ammonia-like odor HAZARD DATA Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity CORROSIVE AND FLAMMABLE LIQUID 3 - Health Ammonium Sulfide reacts explosively with OXIDIZING Use dry chemical, water spray or foam as extinguishing AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, 3 - Fire agents. PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). 0 - Reactivity POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Oxides, Nitrogen Ammonium Sulfide reacts with STRONG ACIDS (such as DOT#: UN 2683 Oxides and Ammonia. HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) to produce toxic CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. and flammable Hydrogen Sulfide gas. ERG Guide #: 132 Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Ammonium Sulfide reacts with STRONG BASES (such as Hazard Class: 8 Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to and ) to produce Ammonia. (Corrosive) cause a fire or explosion far from the source and flash back. Ammonium Sulfide slowly produces Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonium Sulfide may form an ignitable vapor/air Ammonia in the presence of MOISTURE. mixture in closed tanks or containers. Ammonium Sulfide corrodes COPPER and ZINC and their ALLOYS.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Rotten egg and Ammonia-like odor Spill: 50 meters (150 feet) Flash Point: 72oF (22oC) Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) LEL: 4% Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a noncombustible UEL: 46% material and place into sealed containers for disposal. Specific Gravity: 1.0 (water = 1) Collect solid material in the most convenient and safe manner Water : Soluble and place into sealed containers for disposal. Use only non-sparking tools and equipment. : Decomposes Keep Ammonium Sulfide out of confined spaces, such as : Decomposes sewers, because of the possibility of an explosion. pH: 9.5 (45% ) Dangerous to aquatic at high concentrations. Molecular Weight: 68.14

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NIOSH: 10 ppm, 10-minute Ceiling Gloves: Silver Shield®/4H®, Viton and Barrier® (>8-hr ACGIH: 1 ppm, 8-hr TWA; 5 ppm STEL breakthrough for Sulfur compounds) IDLH: 100 ppm Coveralls: Tychem® BR, Responder and TK (>8-hr breakthrough for Hydrogen Sulfide) The Protective Action Criteria values are: Respirator: >10 ppm - SCBA PAC-1 = 10 ppm PAC-2 = 15 ppm PAC-3 = 15 ppm Use turn out gear or flash protection if fire/ignition is the greatest hazard

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION Eyes: Irritation and burns with possible eye Remove the person from exposure. damage Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. Remove

Skin: Irritation and burns contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.

Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation, with Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention. coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.

Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, Transfer promptly to a medical facility. and passing out May 2011

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