1688 Chemical Name: Chloric Acid, Sodium Salt DOT Number: UN 1495 Date: February 2001 Revision: June 2011 UN 2428 (Solution)

Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: SODIUM CHLORATE

CAS Number: 7775-09-9 Synonyms: Atlacide; Chlorate of Soda; Oxycil RTK Substance Number: 1688 Chemical Name: Chloric Acid, Sodium Salt DOT Number: UN 1495 Date: February 2001 Revision: June 2011 UN 2428 (solution)

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Sodium Chlorate is an odorless, pale yellow to white, Hazard Summary crystalline (sugar-like) solid that is often used in a water Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA solution. It is used in making herbicides, explosives, dyes, HEALTH 2 - cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper, and other chemicals. FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 0 - POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE DOES NOT BURN

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; Reasons for Citation 4=severe f Sodium Chlorate is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT and EPA. f Sodium Chlorate can affect you when inhaled. f Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. f Inhaling Sodium Chlorate can irritate the nose and throat. f Sodium Chlorate can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. f High levels of this substance can reduce the blood’s ability to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). Exposure to very high levels can cause trouble breathing, SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. collapse and even death. f Sodium Chlorate may damage the kidneys and affect the liver. FIRST AID f Sodium Chlorate is not combustible, but it is a STRONG Eye Contact OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 substances. minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention.

Skin Contact Workplace Exposure Limits f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash No occupational exposure limits have been established for contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Sodium Chlorate. However, it may pose a health risk.

Inhalation Always follow safe work practices. f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. f Transfer promptly to a medical facility.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802

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Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard f While Sodium Chlorate 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 Sodium Chlorate may damage the kidneys and affect the liver. f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New

Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact

Sheet, available on the RTK website (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK Medical Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. Medical Testing f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following are recommended: Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public

Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act f Blood methemoglobin level if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the f Liver and kidney function tests federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you are a private worker. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most damage already done are not a substitute for controlling employers to label chemicals in the workplace and exposure. requires public employers to provide their employees with information concerning chemical hazards and controls. You have a legal right to request copies of your medical testing The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide Mixed Exposures similar information and training to their employees. f More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information caused by Sodium Chlorate. 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 effects described below.

Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Sodium Chlorate: f Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. f Inhaling Sodium Chlorate can irritate the nose and throat causing coughing and wheezing. f Sodium Chlorate can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. f High levels of this substance can reduce the blood’s ability to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). Exposure to very high levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and even death.

Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Sodium Chlorate and can last for months or years:

Cancer Hazard f While Sodium Chlorate has been tested, it is not classifiable as to its potential to cause cancer.

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Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f For solid Sodium Chlorate wear direct vent goggles when sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less airborne particles or dust are present. toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures f Wear indirect vent goggles when working with liquids that include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely may splash, spray or mist. A face shield is also required if irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust the liquid is severely irritating or corrosive to the skin and ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single eyes. exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control f Do not wear contact lenses when working with this exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on substance. workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. Respiratory Protection Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators The following work practices are also recommended: should only be used if the employer has implemented a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, f Label process containers. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and f Provide employees with hazard information and training. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). recommended exposure levels. f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. f At any detectable concentration, use a NIOSH approved f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous negative pressure, air-purifying, particulate filter respirator material. with an N, R or P95 filter for solid Sodium Chlorate. More f Always wash at the end of the workshift. protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater protection is provided f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes by a powered-air purifying respirator. contaminated. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Do not take contaminated clothing home. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Sodium Chlorate, (2) while wearing particulate filters f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye being handled, processed or stored. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. applying cosmetics or using the toilet. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. In addition, the following may be useful or required: f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges f Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. f Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure Personal Protective Equipment mode. For increased protection use in combination with an The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus or an 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate emergency escape air cylinder. personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train employees on how and when to use protective equipment. Fire Hazards The following recommendations are only guidelines and may If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained not apply to every situation. and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard (29 CFR 1910.156).

Gloves and Clothing f Sodium Chlorate is not combustible, but it is a STRONG f Avoid skin contact with Sodium Chlorate. Wear personal OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other protective equipment made from material that can not be substances. permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety f Flood with water. equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing Chlorides and Sodium Oxides. material for your operation. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. f The recommended glove materials for solid Sodium f Sodium Chlorate may ignite combustibles (wood, paper Chlorate or Sodium Chlorate in solution are Butyl, Nitrile, and oil). Neoprene and Viton. f The recommended protective clothing material for solid Sodium Chlorate is Tyvek®; and Tychem® F, C3, BR, CSM and TK, or the equivalent, for Sodium Chlorate in solution. 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 Sodium Chlorate is spilled or leaked, take the following presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical steps: 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 Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a noncombustible material and place into sealed containers for disposal. New Jersey Department of Health f Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter vacuum for Right to Know clean-up and place into sealed containers for disposal. PO Box 368 f Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 f DO NOT wash into sewer. f It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Sodium Phone: 609-984-2202 Chlorate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Fax: 609-984-7407 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your E-mail: [email protected] regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Web address: http://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets

are not intended to be copied and sold Handling and Storage for commercial purposes. Prior to working with Sodium Chlorate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. f Sodium Chlorate reacts with ARSENIC TRIOXIDE; STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); REDUCING AGENTS (such as LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); ORGANIC MATERIALS (such as PEAT, SUGAR and WOOD); COMBUSTIBLES; and FINELY POWDERED METALS (such as ALUMINUM) to cause fires and explosions. f Sodium Chlorate is not compatible with AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS; CYANIDES; and HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. 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.

mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals. A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation

is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.

NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves

respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the proposes standards to OSHA. regulations of the United States government.

NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. and reviews evidence for cancer.

A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers. Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety

standards. The critical temperature is the temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied. 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 Air), at the same remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured 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.

Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: SODIUM CHLORATE Synonyms: Atlacide; Chlorate of Soda; Oxycil CAS No: 7775-09-9 Molecular Formula: NaClO3 RTK Substance No: 1688 Description: Odorless, pale yellow to white, crystalline solid

HAZARD DATA Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity 2 - Health Sodium Chlorate is not combustible, but it is a Sodium Chlorate reacts with ARSENIC TRIOXIDE; STRONG OXIDIZER that enhances the STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, 0 - Fire combustion of other substances. SULFURIC and NITRIC); REDUCING AGENTS (such as 0 - Reactivity Flood with water. LITHIUM, SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES); POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, ORGANIC MATERIALS (such as PEAT, SUGAR and DOT#: UN 1495 including Chlorides and Sodium Oxides. WOOD); COMBUSTIBLES; and FINELY POWDERED METALS (such as ALUMINUM) to cause fires and UN 2428 (solution) Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers explosions. ERG Guide #: 140 cool. Sodium Chlorate is not compatible with AMMONIUM Sodium Chlorate may ignite combustibles (wood, Hazard Class: 5.1 COMPOUNDS; CYANIDES; and HYDROGEN paper and oil). (Oxidizer) PEROXIDE.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Odorless Spill (solid): 25 meters (75 feet) Flash Point: Nonflammable (solution): 50 meters (150 feet) Specific Gravity: 2.5 (water = 1) Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) Water Solubility: Soluble Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a noncombustible material and place into sealed containers for disposal. Boiling Point: Decomposes o o Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter Melting Point: 478 F (248 C) vacuum for clean-up and place into sealed containers Molecular Weight: 106.44 for disposal. DO NOT wash into sewer. Sodium Chlorate is dangerous to aquatic life at high concentrations.

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT No occupational exposure limits have been established for Sodium Chlorate. Gloves: Butyl, Nitrile, Neoprene and Viton (>8-hr breakthrough) The Protective Action Criteria values are: Coveralls: Tyvek® (solid); Tychem® F, C3, BR, CSM and TK (>8-hr 3 breakthrough for Sodium Chlorate in solution) PAC-1 = 0.4 mg/m 3 PAC-2 = 3 mg/m Respirator: Spill (solid): full facepiece APR with High efficiency filters PAC-3 = 75 mg/m3 >0.4 mg/m3 or fire - SCBA

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION Eyes: Irritation and burns Remove the person from exposure. Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove Skin: Irritation and burns Inhalation: Headache, fatigue and blue color to the contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention. skin and lips (methemoglobinemia) Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water.

Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. June 2011