Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: SILVER NITRATE

Synonyms: Argerol; Lunar Caustic CAS Number: 7761-88-8 Chemical Name: Nitric Acid Silver (1+) Salt RTK Substance Number: 1672 Date: May 2000 Revision: May 2009 DOT Number: UN 1493

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Silver Nitrate is an odorless, colorless or white, crystalline Hazard Summary (sand-like) solid. It is used in photography, medicines, hair Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA dyes, making mirrors and silver plating, and as a chemical HEALTH 3 - intermediate. FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 0 - CORROSIVE AND STRONG OXIDIZER POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Reasons for Citation Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; f Silver Nitrate is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance 4=severe List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP

and EPA. f Silver Nitrate can affect you when inhaled and by passing f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance through the skin. List. f Silver Nitrate is CORROSIVE and contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Silver Nitrate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. f Exposure to Silver Nitrate can cause headache, dizziness, SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. nausea and vomiting. f High levels of this substance may reduce the blood’s ability to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, FIRST AID and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). Eye Contact f Repeated exposures to Silver Nitrate can cause blue-gray f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30 discoloration (argyria) of the eyes, skin, inner nose, mouth, minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact throat and internal body organs. This may take years to lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention develop but is permanent. immediately. f Silver Nitrate may affect the kidneys.

f Silver Nitrate is not combustible, but it is a STRONG Skin Contact OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash substances. contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek

medical attention immediately. Workplace Exposure Limits Inhalation The following exposure limits are for soluble Silver compounds f Remove the person from exposure. (measured as Silver): f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if

breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. 0.01 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.

NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is EMERGENCY NUMBERS 3 Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 0.01 mg/m averaged over a 10-hour workshift. CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.01 mg/m3 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802

f The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above.

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Determining Your Exposure Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data some time after exposure to Silver Nitrate and can last for Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product months or years: ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Cancer Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New Jersey Department of Health, Silver Nitrate has not been Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Sheet, available on the RTK website (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK Reproductive Hazard Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. f While Silver Nitrate has been tested, further testing is required to assess its potential to cause reproductive harm. f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey

Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Other Effects Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act f Silver Nitrate can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you and/or shortness of breath. are a private worker. f Repeated exposures to Silver Nitrate can cause blue-gray discoloration (argyria) of the eyes, skin, inner nose, mouth, f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most throat and internal body organs. This may take years to employers to label chemicals in the workplace and develop but is permanent. requires public employers to provide their employees with f Silver Nitrate may affect the kidneys. information concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication Medical Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide Medical Testing similar information and training to their employees. For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or greater), the following are recommended before beginning This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information work and at regular times after that: regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential f Kidney function tests effects described below. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following are recommended:

Health Hazard Information f Lung function tests Acute Health Effects f Examine the eyes, inner nose, throat and skin periodically to The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur detect early changes in body color. immediately or shortly after exposure to Silver Nitrate: Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin with rash and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for blisters. damage already done are not a substitute for controlling f Silver Nitrate can irritate and burn the eyes with possible exposure. eye damage. f Inhaling Silver Nitrate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee f Exposure to Silver Nitrate can cause headache, dizziness, Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). nausea and vomiting. f High levels of this substance may reduce the blood’s ability Mixed Exposures to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen Exposure to very high levels can cause trouble breathing, respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if collapse and even death. you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems.

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Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles. sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust Respiratory Protection ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on program that takes into account workplace conditions, workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory The following work practices are also recommended: Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

3 f Label process containers. f Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.01 mg/m (as f Provide employees with hazard information and training. Silver), use a NIOSH approved negative pressure, air- f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. purifying, particulate filter respirator with an N, R or P100 f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed filter. More protection is provided by a full facepiece recommended exposure levels. respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or material. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Always wash at the end of the workshift. Silver Nitrate, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation contaminated. occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to f Do not take contaminated clothing home. make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good, f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are you may need a new respirator. being handled, processed or stored. f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges applying cosmetics or using the toilet. to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. 3 In addition, the following may be useful or required: f Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.1 mg/m (as Silver), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other f Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing f Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter when apparatus or an emergency escape air cylinder. vacuuming. Do not use a standard shop vacuum. 3 f Exposure to 10 mg/m (as Silver) is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure above 10 mg/m3 (as Silver) exists, use a NIOSH approved self- Personal Protective Equipment contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR equipped with an emergency escape air cylinder. 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate 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 fires, 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 Silver Nitrate is not combustible, but it is a STRONG f Avoid skin contact with Silver Nitrate. Wear personal OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other protective equipment made from material which can not be substances. permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety f Use large quantities of water as an extinguishing agent or equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing surrounding fire. Silver Nitrate itself does not burn. material for your operation. f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including f Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Nitrile and Silver Oxides and Nitrogen Oxides. Natural Rubber for gloves, and Tyvek®, or the equivalent, as f CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. a protective clothing material. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) f Silver Nitrate may ignite combustibles (wood, paper and should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. oil).

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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 Silver Nitrate is spilled, take the following steps: presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical 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 Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter vacuum for

clean-up and place into sealed containers for disposal. f Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. New Jersey Department of Health f DO NOT wash into sewer. Right to Know f It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Silver Nitrate PO Box 368 as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of Phone: 609-984-2202 the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Fax: 609-984-7407 specific recommendations. E-mail: [email protected]

Web address: http://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb

Handling and Storage The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets

Prior to working with Silver Nitrate you should be trained on its are not intended to be copied and sold proper handling and storage. for commercial purposes. f Silver Nitrate reacts with ACETYLENE, in the presence of AMMONIA, to form Silver Acetylide, a sensitive and powerful detonator. f Silver Nitrate reacts violently with COMBUSTIBLES;

CHLOROSULFONIC ACID and other ACIDS (such as

HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); METALS;

METAL CARBIDES; REDUCING AGENTS (such as

LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); and

OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,

PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,

NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). f Silver Nitrate is not compatible with ETHYLENE OXIDE;

CHARCOAL; AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE; ETHANOL;

AZIRIDINE; ARSENIC; SULFUR; and many other

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

area away from LIGHT and AIR. f Silver Nitrate attacks some forms of PLASTIC, RUBBER

and COATINGS.

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GLOSSARY

3 ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial mg/m means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can substances according to their fire and explosion hazard. change its physical state from a liquid to a gas. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by proposes standards to OSHA. the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical. NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the and reviews evidence for cancer. regulations of the United States government. OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety standards. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers. 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 animal. 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 flash point 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 fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a reaction or explosion. scientific group. Vapor Density 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 Hydrogen), at the remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured same temperature and pressure. in electron volts. The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase 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.

LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of continuing an explosion.

Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: SILVER NITRATE Synonyms: Argerol; Lunar Caustic CAS No: 7761-88-8 Molecular Formula: AgNO3 RTK Substance No: 1672 Description: Odorless, colorless or white, crystalline solid

HAZARD DATA Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity 3 - Health Silver Nitrate is not combustible, but it is a Silver Nitrate reacts with ACETYLENE, in the presence of STRONG OXIDIZER that enhances the AMMONIA, to form Silver Acetylide, a sensitive and powerful 0 - Fire combustion of other substances. detonator. 0 - Reactivity Use large quantities of water as an Silver Nitrate reacts violently with COMBUSTIBLES; extinguishing agent or extinguish fire using an CHLOROSULFONIC ACID and other ACIDS (such as DOT#: UN 1493 agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); METALS; METAL CARBIDES; REDUCING AGENTS (such as ERG Guide #: 140 Silver Nitrate itself does not burn. POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); and Hazard Class: 5.1 FIRE, including Silver Oxides and Nitrogen OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, (Oxidizer) Oxides. PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. Silver Nitrate is not compatible with ETHYLENE OXIDE; Use water spray to keep fire-exposed CHARCOAL; AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE; ETHANOL; containers cool. AZIRIDINE; ARSENIC; SULFUR; and many other Silver Nitrate may ignite combustibles (wood, compounds. paper and oil).

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Odorless Flash Point: Noncombustible Spills: 25 meters (75 feet) Specific Gravity: 4.35 to 5.35 (water = 1) Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) Water Solubility: Soluble Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter o o vacuum for clean-up and place into sealed containers Boiling Point: 831 F (444 C) (Decomposes) o o for disposal. Melting Point: 413.6 F (212 C) DO NOT wash into sewer. Molecular Weight: 169.9 Silver Nitrate is very toxic to aquatic organisms.

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

3 OSHA: 0.01 mg/m , 8-hr TWA (as Silver) Gloves: Nitrile and Natural Rubber 3 IDLH: 10 mg/m (as Silver) Coveralls: Tyvek® The Protective Action Criteria values are: 3 3 Respirator: >0.01 mg/m - full facepiece APR with High efficiency PAC-1 = 0.4 mg/m filters 3 PAC-2 = 3 mg/m >0.4 mg/m3 - SCBA PAC-3 = 15.7 mg/m3

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION Eyes: Irritation, burns and possible eye Remove the person from exposure. damage Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. Remove Skin: Irritation, burns, rash and blisters contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention immediately Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation, with Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with coughing, wheezing and shortness of large amounts of water. Seek medical attention immediately.

breath Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary. Headache, fatigue and blue color to the Transfer promptly to a medical facility. skin and lips (methemoglobinemia) May 2009