1767 Date: September 1999 Revision: August 2008 DOT Number: UN 1829
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Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: SULFUR TRIOXIDE Synonyms: Sulfuric Anhydride; Sulfuric Oxide CAS Number: 7446-11-9 Chemical Name: Sulfur Trioxide RTK Substance Number: 1767 Date: September 1999 Revision: August 2008 DOT Number: UN 1829 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Sulfur Trioxide is a colorless to white, crystalline (sand-like) Hazard Summary solid which can also exist as a gas or liquid. It is used primarily Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA as a Sulfating agent in making detergents, as a disinfectant HEALTH 3 - and preservative, and in textile and battery manufacturing. FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 2W - f ODOR THRESHOLD = 1 ppm CARCINOGEN f Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to determine potentially hazardous exposures. CORROSIVE AND REACTIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE DO NOT USE WATER Reasons for Citation Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe f Sulfur Trioxide is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, NTP, DEP, IARC and EPA. f Sulfur Trioxide can affect you when inhaled. f Sulfur Trioxide is a CARCINOGEN. HANDLE WITH f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. EXTREME CAUTION. f Sulfur Trioxide is CORROSIVE and contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Sulfur Trioxide can irritate the nose and throat. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. f Inhaling Sulfur Trioxide can irritate the lungs. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs FIRST AID (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. Eye Contact f Exposure to Sulfur Trioxide can cause headache, f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30 dizziness, nausea and vomiting. minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact f Sulfur Trioxide is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention EXPLOSION HAZARD. immediately. f Sulfur Trioxide is not combustible but is a STRONG OXIDIZER which enhances the combustion of other Skin Contact substances. f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Workplace Exposure Limits 3 Inhalation ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.2 mg/m (as f Remove the person from exposure. Sulfuric Acid, thoracic fraction) averaged over an 8- f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if hour workshift. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.25 ppm as a f Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after STEL (short-term exposure limit), which should not be overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. exceeded at any time, for Sulfur Dioxide. EMERGENCY NUMBERS f Sulfur Trioxide is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 should be reduced to the lowest possible level. CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 SULFUR TRIOXDE 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, Sulfur Trioxide has not been Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product tested for its ability to affect reproduction. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects f Sulfur Trioxide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact 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, the Public If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act following is recommended: if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you f Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure are a private worker. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for employers to label chemicals in the workplace and damage already done are not a substitute for controlling requires public employers to provide their employees with exposure. information concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide similar information and training to their employees. Mixed Exposures f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential your risk of developing health problems. effects described below. Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Sulfur Trioxide: f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Sulfur Trioxide can irritate the nose and throat. f Inhaling Sulfur Trioxide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. f Exposure to Sulfur Trioxide can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Sulfur Trioxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard f Sulfur Trioxide is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There is evidence that strong inorganic acid mists containing Sulfuric Acid cause cancer of the lung and larynx in humans. f Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substance may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. SULFUR TRIOXDE 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 non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust with fumes, gases, or vapors. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single f Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control when working with liquids. exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. 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 respirators 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 concentrations. program that takes into account workplace conditions, f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed requirements for worker training, respirator 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. 3 f Always wash at the end of the workshift. f Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.2 mg/m (as f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes Sulfuric Acid), use a NIOSH approved full facepiece contaminated. respirator with an acid gas cartridge which is specifically f Do not take contaminated clothing home. approved for Sulfuric Acid. Increased protection is obtained f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. from full facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or being handled, processed or stored. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, Sulfur Trioxide, (2) while wearing particulate filters applying cosmetics or using the toilet. abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. In addition, the following may be useful or required: 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 Sulfur Trioxide good, you may need a new respirator.