Methyl Methacrylate

Common Name: METHYL METHACRYLATE

CAS Number: 80-62-6 RTK Substance number: 1277 DOT Number: UN 1247 Date: September 1996 Revision: July 2002 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Methyl Methacrylate can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely * Methyl Methacrylate may damage the developing fetus. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Contact can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat. air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results * Breathing Methyl Methacrylate can irritate the lungs from your employer. You have a legal right to this causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher information under OSHA 1910.1020. exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational shortness of breath. diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * High exposure can cause dizziness, irritability, difficulty * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.049 ppm. with concentration and reduced memory. * The range of accepted odor threshold values is quite * Methyl Methacrylate may cause a skin allergy. If allergy broad. Caution should be used in relying on odor alone as develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a a warning of potentially hazardous exposures. skin rash. * Methyl Methacrylate may damage the nervous system WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS causing numbness, "pins and needles," and/or weakness in OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit the hands and feet. (PEL) is 100 ppm averaged over an 8-hour * Methyl Methacrylate may affect the liver and kidneys. workshift. * Methyl Methacrylate is a FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE chemical and a FIRE and EXPLOSION NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is HAZARD. 100 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift.

IDENTIFICATION ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Methyl Methacrylate is a colorless liquid with a sharp, fruity 50 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and odor. It is used to make resins, plastics, and plastic dentures. 100 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit).

REASON FOR CITATION WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Methyl Methacrylate is on the Hazardous Substance List * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust DOT, NIOSH, NFPA, DEP and EPA. ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance worn. List because it is FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE. * Wear protective work clothing. * Definitions are provided on page 5. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Methyl Methacrylate. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training EXPOSED effort, communicate all information on the health and The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers safety hazards of Methyl Methacrylate to potentially to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public exposed workers. 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.

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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and potential and most severe health hazards that may result from present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance damage already done are not a substitute for controlling and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the exposure. potential effects described below. ------Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Mixed Exposures Acute Health Effects * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may immediately or shortly after exposure to Methyl worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Methacrylate: Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. * Contact can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause * Breathing Methyl Methacrylate can irritate the lungs liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher damage caused by Methyl Methacrylate. exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES shortness of breath. * High exposure can cause dizziness, irritability, difficulty Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous with concentration and reduced memory. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to Chronic Health Effects enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also some time after exposure to Methyl Methacrylate and can last reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is for months or years: less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that Methyl Methacrylate causes In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: mutations (genetic changes). (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether Reproductive Hazard harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls * Methyl Methacrylate may damage the developing fetus. should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Other Long-Term Effects * Methyl Methacrylate may cause a skin allergy. If allergy In addition, the following controls are recommended: develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Methyl * Methyl Methacrylate may damage the nervous system Methacrylate from drums or other storage containers to causing numbness, "pins and needles," and/or weakness in process containers. the hands and feet. * Before entering a confined space where Methyl * Methyl Methacrylate may affect the liver and kidneys. Methacrylate may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. MEDICAL Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Methyl following are recommended: Methacrylate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. individuals who have been informed of the hazards of * Exam of the nervous system. exposure to Methyl Methacrylate. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose work area for emergency use. skin allergy. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency * Liver and kidney function tests. shower facilities should be provided.

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* On skin contact with Methyl Methacrylate, immediately * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the smell, taste, or otherwise detect Methyl Methacrylate, or if workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have while wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to contacted Methyl Methacrylate, whether or not known breathing is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while skin contact has occurred. wearing a full facepiece respirator, leave the area * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Methyl Methacrylate is immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be is still good. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. smoking, or using the toilet. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN chemicals. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for * Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a NIOSH some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure controls are being installed), personal protective equipment mode. For increased protection use in combination with an may be appropriate. auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the * Exposure to 1,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and and health. If the possibility of exposure above 1,000 ppm to train employees on how and when to use protective exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained equipment. breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Clothing * Prior to working with Methyl Methacrylate you should be * Avoid skin contact with Methyl Methacrylate. Wear trained on its proper handling and storage. protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment * Methyl Methacrylate is not compatible with OXIDIZING suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, the most protective glove/clothing material for your PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, operation. CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and should be clean, available each day, and put on before POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); REDUCING AGENTS; work. AMINES; and HALOGENS. * ACGIH recommends Polyvinyl Alcohol as a protective * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated material. area away from ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, HEAT, Eye Protection MOISTURE, and IONIZING RADIATION, as Methyl Methacrylate may react and release heat quickly, resulting * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles in an explosion. when working with liquids. * Store and use with an appropriate inhibitor. Lack of an * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with appropriate inhibitor may cause an explosive reaction. corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are * Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this prohibited where Methyl Methacrylate is used, handled, or substance. stored.

Respiratory Protection * Metal containers involving the transfer of Methyl Methacrylate should be grounded and bonded. IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a when opening and closing containers of Methyl written program that takes into account workplace conditions, Methacrylate. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and * Wherever Methyl Methacrylate is used, handled, medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical

equipment and fittings. * Where the potential exists for exposure over 50 ppm, use a * Do not store under inert atmospheres and use within 6 MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge. Increased protection is obtained months. from full facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. METHYL METHACRYLATE page 4 of 6

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ------The following information is available from: Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health effects? New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from Occupational Health Service repeated exposures to a chemical. PO Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- (609) 984-1863 term effects? (609) 984-7407 (fax) A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/

you immediately sick. Industrial Hygiene Information

Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust exposed to chemicals? ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of determined by the length of time and the amount of industrial hygiene survey data. material to which someone is exposed. Medical Evaluation Q: When are higher exposures more likely? If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring, Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas Health Service, who can help you find the information you such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures need. (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.). Public Presentations Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for Presentations and educational programs on occupational health community residents? or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in trade associations and other groups. cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those found in the workplace. However, people in the Right to Know Information Resources community may be exposed to contaminated water as The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This questions about the identity and potential health effects of may be a problem for children or people who are already chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, ill. references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know Survey, education and training programs, Q: What are the likely health problems from chemicals which labeling requirements, and general information regarding the cause mutations? Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to A: There are two primary health concerns associated with (609) 984-2202. mutagens: (1) cancers can result from changes induced in ------cells and, (2) adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes can result from damage to the egg and sperm cells.

Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that cause reproductive system damage? A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both men and women. Some damage sperm and eggs, possibly leading to birth defects.

Q: Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards? A: Pregnant women are at greatest risk from chemicals that harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may affect the ability to have children, so both men and women of childbearing age are at high risk.

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DEFINITIONS

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental NAERG is the North American Emergency Response Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts incident, and to protect themselves and the general public Service to identify a specific chemical. during the initial response phase of the incident.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies substances according to their fire and explosion hazard. DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards that regulates the transportation of chemicals. to OSHA.

EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.

A fetus is an unborn human or animal. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety standards. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards. HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal EPA. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air. IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases cancer-causing potential. energy under certain conditions.

A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by in another. damaging the fetus.

mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). limit recommended by ACGIH.

A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.

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Common Name: METHYL METHACRYLATE ======DOT Number: UN 1247 FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire NAERG Code: 129P department. You can request emergency information from the CAS Number: 80-62-6 following:

CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP FLAMMABILITY - 3 ======

- 2 REACTIVITY HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3) FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE FIRST AID CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least FIRE HAZARDS 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.

* Methyl Methacrylate is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID. Skin Contact * Use dry chemical, CO2, alcohol or polymer foam * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash extinguishers, as water may not be effective in fighting contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. fires. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. Breathing * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Remove the person from exposure. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if * Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to cause breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. a fire or explosion far from the source. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES PHYSICAL DATA If Methyl Methacrylate is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: Vapor Pressure: 29 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) o o * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from Flash Point: 50 F (10 C) area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Water Solubility: Slightly soluble * Remove all ignition sources. * Cover with an activated charcoal adsorbent and place in OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES covered containers for disposal. * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. Chemical Name: * Keep Methyl Methacrylate out of a confined space, such 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Methyl Ester as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, Other Names: unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of Methacrylic Acid, Methyl Ester; Methyl 2-Methyl-2- explosive concentrations. Propenoate; MME * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Methyl Methacrylate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your ------state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. purposes. ------* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be SENIOR SERVICES applicable. Right to Know Program

PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 ------