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Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Synonyms: Beryllium Sulphate CAS Number: 13510-49-1 Chemical Name: Sulfuric Acid, Beryllium Salt (1:1) RTK Substance Number: 3084 Date: November 1998 Revision: October 2008 DOT Number: UN 1566

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Beryllium Sulfate is an odorless, colorless, crystalline (sand- Hazard Summary like) solid. It is an intermediate in the processing of Beryllium Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA ore used in chemical and nuclear applications. HEALTH 4 - FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 0 - CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe Reasons for Citation f Beryllium Sulfate is on the Right to Know Hazardous f Beryllium Sulfate can affect you when inhaled. Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, f Beryllium Sulfate is a CARCINOGEN. HANDLE WITH NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, IRIS and EPA. EXTREME CAUTION. f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance f Beryllium Sulfate can irritate and burn the skin and cause List. skin ulcers to develop. f Eye contact can cause irritation, redness, itching and burning f Inhaling Beryllium Sulfate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Bronchitis and/or pneumonia may occur 1 to 2 days after high exposure. f Exposure to Beryllium Sulfate dust can cause permanent SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. scars to develop in the lungs and cause heart failure.

FIRST AID Eye Contact Workplace Exposure Limits f Immediately flush with large amounts of cool water for at The following exposure limits are for Beryllium and Beryllium least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove compounds (measured as Beryllium): contact lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is Skin Contact 0.002 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift and f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash 0.005 mg/m3, not to be exceeded during any contaminated skin with large amounts of water. 3 30-minute work period, and 0.025 mg/m as an Inhalation acceptable maximum peak during any 8-hr workshift. f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. 3 f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. 0.0005 mg/m , which should not be exceeded at any time.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.00005 mg/m3 (as the inhalable fraction) averaged over an 8-hour Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 3 workshift, and 0.0002 mg/m (as the inhalable CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 fraction) as a STEL (short term exposure limit). NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 f Beryllium Sulfate is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level.

BERYLLIUM SULFATE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard f While Beryllium Sulfate has been tested, further testing is f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data required to assess its potential to cause reproductive harm. Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product ingredients and important safety and health information Other Effects about the product mixture. f Contact with broken skin can cause ulcers and/or lumps (nodules) to develop. f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New f Exposure to Beryllium Sulfate dust can cause permanent Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact scars to develop in the lungs. Symptoms may include Sheet, available on the RTK website fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, and poor appetite. (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK These effects may occur months or years after exposure. In Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. severe cases disability and heart failure occur.

f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey

Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act Medical if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the Medical Testing federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the are a private worker. TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and f Chest x-ray and lung function tests requires public employers to provide their employees with information concerning chemical hazards and controls. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 following is recommended: CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication f EKG Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide

similar information and training to their employees. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information damage already done are not a substitute for controlling regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right effects described below. to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Health Hazard Information Mixed Exposures Acute Health Effects f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen immediately or shortly after exposure to Beryllium Sulfate: respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce f Beryllium Sulfate can irritate and burn the skin. your risk of developing health problems. f Eye contact can cause irritation, redness, itching and burning. f Inhaling Beryllium Sulfate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing nasal discharge, tightness in the chest, coughing, shortness of breath, and/or fever. Bronchitis and/or pneumonia may occur 1 to 2 days after high exposure.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Beryllium Sulfate and can last for months or years:

Cancer Hazard f Beryllium Sulfate is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There is evidence that Beryllium and Beryllium compounds cause lung cancer in humans and have been shown to cause lung cancer in animals. f Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen.

BERYLLIUM SULFATE Page 3 of 6

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). f Label process containers. f Where the potential exists for exposure over 3 f Provide employees with hazard information and training. 0.00005 mg/m (as Beryllium), use a NIOSH approved f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. negative pressure, air-purifying, particulate filter respirator f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed with an N95 filter. More protection is provided by a full recommended exposure levels. facepiece respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. greater protection is provided by a powered-air purifying f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous respirator. material. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Always wash at the end of the workshift. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes Beryllium Sulfate, (2) while wearing particulate filters contaminated. abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye f Do not take contaminated clothing home. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer being handled, processed or stored. good, you may need a new respirator. f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. applying cosmetics or using the toilet. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. In addition, the following may be useful or required: 3 f Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.0005 mg/m f Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- (as Beryllium), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other f Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter when positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in vacuuming. Do not use a standard shop vacuum. combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-

pressure mode. f Exposure to 4 mg/m3 (as Beryllium) is immediately Personal Protective Equipment dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure above 4 mg/m3 exists, use a NIOSH approved self- The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train equipped with an emergency escape air cylinder. employees on how and when to use protective equipment.

The following recommendations are only guidelines and may Fire Hazards not apply to every situation. If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard Gloves and Clothing (29 CFR 1910.156). f Avoid skin contact with Beryllium Sulfate. Wear personal

protective equipment made from material that can not be f Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety surrounding fire. Beryllium Sulfate itself does not burn. equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing Beryllium Oxide, Sulfur Oxides, and Sulfuric Acid. material for your operation. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. f Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Nitrile and Natural Rubber for gloves and Tyvek®, or the equivalent, as a protective material for clothing. f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.

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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 Beryllium Sulfate 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 deposit into sealed containers. 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 Beryllium PO Box 368 Sulfate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your Phone: 609-984-2202 regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Fax: 609-984-7407 Agency (EPA) for 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 Beryllium Sulfate you should be trained are not intended to be copied and sold on its proper handling and storage. for commercial purposes. f Beryllium Sulfate reacts violently with CARBON DUST; and FINELY DIVIDED ALUMINUM, MAGNESIUM and POTASSIUM. f Beryllium Sulfate is not compatible with STRONG ACIDS

(such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC);

STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as

PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES,

CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and

FLUORINE); MOLTEN LITHIUM; and CHLORINATED

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

area.

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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.

Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals. A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations change its physical state from a liquid to a gas. can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies substances according to their fire and explosion hazard. The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and regulations of the United States government. proposes standards to OSHA.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers. OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental standards. Protection. PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and that regulates the transportation of chemicals. safety standards in public workplaces.

EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. materials.

ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison emergency responders for transportation emergencies Inhalation Hazards. involving hazardous substances. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values measure of concentration by volume in air. are intended to provide estimates of concentration ranges where one reasonably might anticipate observing adverse A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases effects. energy under certain conditions.

A fetus is an unborn human or animal. STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will during a work day. ignite easily and burn rapidly. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid damaging the fetus. gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a scientific group. reaction or explosion.

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

IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a maintained by federal EPA. The database contains solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure information on human health effects that may result from indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and exposure to various chemicals in the environment. therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.

Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: BERYLLIUM SULFATE Synonyms: Beryllium Sulphate CAS No: 13510-49-1 Molecular Formula: BeSO4 RTK Substance No: 3084 Description: Odorless, colorless, crystalline solid

HAZARD DATA Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity 4 - Health Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of Beryllium Sulfate reacts violently with CARBON surrounding fire. Beryllium Sulfate itself does not DUST; and FINELY DIVIDED ALUMINUM, 0 - Fire burn. MAGNESIUM and POTASSIUM. 0 - Reactivity POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, Beryllium Sulfate is not compatible with STRONG including Beryllium Oxide, Sulfur Oxides, and ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and DOT#: UN 1566 Sulfuric Acid. NITRIC); STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); ERG Guide #: 154 Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, Hazard Class: 6.1 (Poison) NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); MOLTEN LITHIUM; and CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Odorless Spill: 25 meters (75 feet) Flash Point: Nonflammable Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) Specific Gravity: 2.4 (water = 1) Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter Water Solubility: Soluble vacuum for clean-up and deposit into sealed Melting Point: 1,004oF to 1,022oF (540o to 550oC) containers. Molecular Weight: 105 DO NOT wash into sewer. Beryllium Sulfate is very toxic to the aquatic environment.

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

3 3 OSHA: 0.002 mg/m , 8-hr TWA; 0.005 mg/m , Gloves: Nitrile and Natural Rubber 3 30-min Ceiling; 0.025 mg/m , Peak Coveralls: Tyvek® 3 NIOSH: 0.0005 mg/m , Ceiling Respirator: Supplied air or SCBA ACGIH: 0.00005 mg/m3, 8-hr TWA; 0.0002 mg/m3, STEL IDLH: 4 mg/m3 (All of the above are for Beryllium)

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION Eyes: Irritation, redness, itching and burning Remove the person from exposure. Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove Skin: Irritation and burns contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation with nasal Quickly remove contaminated clothing, and wash contaminated skin with discharge, tightness in the chest, cough, large amounts of water. shortness of breath, and fever Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary. Chronic: Beryllium and Beryllium compounds cause lung cancer in humans and Transfer promptly to a medical facility animals October 2008