Thallium Acetate Hazard Summary Identification Reason for Citation How to Determine If You Are Being Exposed Workpl

Common Name: THALLIUM ACETATE

CAS Number: 563-68-8 RTK Substance number: 3062 DOT Number: UN 1707 Date: December 2000 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Thallium Acetate can affect you when breathed in and by * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health passing through your skin. problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. Repeated eye diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. contact can cause damage with loss of vision. * High exposure to Thallium Acetate can cause headache, WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS fatigue, weakness, mood changes, confusion, convulsions, The following exposure limits are for soluble Thallium coma and death. compounds (measured as Thallium): * Exposure to Thallium Acetate can cause poor appetite,

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of hair, sleeplessness and OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit weight loss. (PEL) is 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour * Thallium Acetate may damage the nervous system workshift. causing numbness, "pins and needles," and/or weakness in

the hands and feet. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is * Thallium Acetate may affect the liver and kidneys. 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift.

IDENTIFICATION ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Thallium Acetate is a silk white, sand-like powder. It is used 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. to separate ore constituents by flotation and as a medication. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When REASON FOR CITATION skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even * Thallium Acetate is on the Hazardous Substance List though air levels are less than the limits listed above. because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, HHAG and EPA. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Definitions are provided on page 5. * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be EXPOSED worn. The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers * Wear protective work clothing. to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Thallium employers to provide their employees with information and Acetate and at the end of the workshift. training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, addition, as part of an ongoing education and training requires private employers to provide similar training and effort, communicate all information on the health and information to their employees. safety hazards of Thallium Acetate to potentially exposed workers. * 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.

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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 damage already done are not a substitute for controlling substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to exposure. any of the 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 more than light alcohol consumption can cause The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver immediately or shortly after exposure to Thallium Acetate: damage caused by Thallium Acetate.

* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * High exposure to Thallium Acetate can cause headache, fatigue, weakness, mood changes, confusion, convulsions, Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous coma and death. 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 Thallium Acetate 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 * According to the information presently available to the In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the Thallium Acetate has not been tested for its ability to substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether cause cancer in animals. harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Reproductive Hazard significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, In addition, the following control is recommended: Thallium Acetate has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. * Where possible, automatically transfer Thallium Acetate from drums or other storage containers to process Other Long-Term Effects containers. * Repeated eye contact can cause damage with loss of vision. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous * Exposure to Thallium Acetate can cause poor appetite, exposures. The following work practices are recommended: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of hair, sleeplessness and weight loss. * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by * Thallium Acetate may damage the nervous system Thallium Acetate should change into clean clothing causing numbness, "pins and needles," and/or weakness in promptly. the hands and feet. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family * Thallium Acetate may affect the liver and kidneys. members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by MEDICAL individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Thallium Acetate. Medical Testing * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the work area for emergency use. TLV or greater), the following are recommended before * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency beginning work and at regular times after that: shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Thallium Acetate, immediately * Liver and kidney function tests. wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the contacted Thallium Acetate, whether or not known skin following are recommended: contact has occurred.

* Vision testing * Exam of the nervous system. THALLIUM ACETATE page 3 of 6

* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Thallium Acetate is * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be smell, taste, or otherwise detect Thallium Acetate, or if swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, while wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to smoking, or using the toilet. breathing is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during wearing a full facepiece respirator, leave the area clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN workplace. You may need a combination of filters, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace chemicals. controls are being installed), personal protective equipment * Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a may be appropriate. MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the pressure mode. For increased protection use in appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing to train employees on how and when to use protective apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- equipment. pressure mode. * Exposure to 15 mg/m3 (as Thallium) is immediately The following recommendations are only guidelines and may dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure not apply to every situation. above 15 mg/m3 (as Thallium) exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing Clothing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure- * Avoid skin contact with Thallium Acetate. Wear demand or other positive-pressure mode. protective 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 work. from repeated exposures to a chemical.

Eye Protection Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- * Wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or term effects? goggles. 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 corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. make you immediately sick.

Respiratory Protection Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. exposed to chemicals? Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is written program that takes into account workplace conditions, increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and determined by the length of time and the amount of medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. material to which someone is exposed.

* NIOSH has established new testing and certification Q: When are higher exposures more likely? requirements for negative pressure, air purifying, A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust particulate filter and filtering facepiece respirators. The releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, filter classifications of dust/mist/fume, paint spray or dumping, etc.), other physical and mechanical processes pesticide prefilters, and filters for radon daughters, have (heating, pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from been replaced with the N, R, and P series. Each series has large surface areas such as open containers), and three levels of filtering efficiency: 95%, 99%, and 99.9%. "confined space" exposures (working inside vats, Check with your safety equipment supplier or your reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.). respirator manufacturer to determine which respirator is appropriate for your facility.

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Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for ------community residents? The following information is available from: A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services found in the workplace. However, people in the Occupational Health Service community may be exposed to contaminated water as PO Box 360 well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 may be a problem for children or people who are already (609) 984-1863 ill. (609) 292-5677 (fax)

Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/

Industrial Hygiene Information Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of industrial hygiene survey data.

Medical Evaluation If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health Service, who can help you find the information you need.

Public Presentations Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, trade associations and other groups.

Right to Know Information Resources The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer questions about the identity and potential health effects of chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know survey, education and training programs, labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to (609) 984-2202. ------

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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, TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. the United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. It is a 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 NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that burn. determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.

A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. 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 that regulates the transportation of chemicals. standards 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. PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid employees. gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal Inhalation Hazards. EPA. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a measure of concentration by volume in air. scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their cancer-causing potential. A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases energy under certain conditions. A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus. mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH. MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a approves respirators. solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in. is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

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Common Name: THALLIUM ACETATE HANDLING AND STORAGE DOT Number: UN 1707 NAERG Code: 151 * Prior to working with Thallium Acetate you should be CAS Number: 563-68-8 trained on its proper handling and storage. * Thallium Acetate is not compatible with STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) and Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated POISONOUS FUMES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE area. CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE * Thallium Acetate is air and moisture sensitive.

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRST AID

FIRE HAZARDS In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661

* Thallium Acetate may burn, but does not readily ignite. Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol or polymer foam extinguishers. without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting * POISONOUS FUMES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. including Thallium. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. Skin Contact * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained with soap and water. and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. Breathing SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if If Thallium Acetate is spilled, take the following steps: breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. PHYSICAL DATA * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Water Solubility: Soluble * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Thallium OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Acetate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your Chemical Name: regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Thallium Acetate Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be Other Names: properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be Thallous Acetate; Thallium Monoacetate applicable. ------======Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire purposes. department. You can request emergency information from the ------following: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 Right to Know Program NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ======(609) 984-2202 ------