Benzyl Bromide Hazard Summary Identification

Common Name: BENZYL BROMIDE

CAS Number: 100-39-0 RTK Substance number: 0216 DOT Number: UN 1737 Date: February 1987 Revised: December 2000 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Benzyl Bromide 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 * Benzyl Bromide may cause mutations. Handle with diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. extreme caution. * Benzyl Bromide is a HIGHLY CORROSIVE WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS CHEMICAL and contact can severely irritate and burn the The following exposure limits are for Hydrogen Bromide: skin and eyes with possible eye damage. * Breathing Benzyl Bromide can irritate the nose and throat. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit * Breathing Benzyl Bromide can irritate the lungs causing (PEL) is 3 ppm averaged over an 8-hour coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures workshift. can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is breath. 3 ppm, which should not be exceeded at any time. IDENTIFICATION Benzyl Bromide is a clear liquid with a pleasant odor. It is ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is used to make other chemicals and tear gas, and as a foaming 3 ppm, which should not be exceeded at any and frothing agent. time.

REASON FOR CITATION * Benzyl Bromide may cause mutations. All contact with * Benzyl Bromide is on the Hazardous Substance List this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible because it is cited by DOT. level. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When List because it is CORROSIVE. skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even * Definitions are provided on page 5. though air levels are less than the limits listed above.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE EXPOSED * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be employers to provide their employees with information and worn. training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The * Wear protective work clothing. federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Benzyl requires private employers to provide similar training and Bromide and at the end of the workshift. information to their employees. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely effort, communicate all information on the health and evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area safety hazards of Benzyl Bromide to potentially exposed air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results workers. 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 Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal potential and most severe health hazards that may result from right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to Mixed Exposures any of the potential effects described below. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung ------cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health Acute Health Effects problems. The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Benzyl Bromide: WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES

* Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous with possible eye damage. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most * Breathing Benzyl Bromide can irritate the nose and throat. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to * Breathing Benzyl Bromide can irritate the lungs causing enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is breath. sometimes necessary.

Chronic Health Effects In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the some time after exposure to Benzyl Bromide and can last for substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether months or years: harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Cancer Hazard significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * Benzyl Bromide may cause mutations (genetic changes). Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard In addition, the following control is recommended: needs further study. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Benzyl Reproductive Hazard Bromide from drums or other storage containers to * According to the information presently available to the process containers. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Benzyl Bromide has not been tested for its ability to affect Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous reproduction. exposures. The following work practices are recommended:

Other Long-Term Effects * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Benzyl * Benzyl Bromide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure Bromide should change into clean clothing promptly. may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by and/or shortness of breath. individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Benzyl Bromide. MEDICAL * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. Medical Testing * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the shower facilities should be provided. following is recommended: * On skin contact with Benzyl Bromide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Benzyl Bromide, whether or not known skin Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and contact has occurred. present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Benzyl Bromide is damage already done are not a substitute for controlling handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be exposure. swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HANDLING AND STORAGE

WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN * Prior to working with Benzyl Bromide you should be PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for trained on its proper handling and storage. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Benzyl Bromide will react with WATER and done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace MOISTURE to form Hydrogen Bromide. controls are being installed), personal protective equipment * Benzyl Bromide is not compatible with STRONG BASES may be appropriate. (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); AMINES; OXIDIZING AGENTS (such OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMAN- appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and GANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, to train employees on how and when to use protective BROMINE and FLUORINE); and ALCOHOLS since equipment. violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well- The following recommendations are only guidelines and may ventilated area away from LIGHT and METALS. not apply to every situation. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Benzyl Bromide is used, handled, or Clothing stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or * Avoid skin contact with Benzyl Bromide. Wear explosion hazard. 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 indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles term effects? when working with liquids. 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. * Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this substance. Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been exposed to chemicals? Respiratory Protection A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a determined by the length of time and the amount of written program that takes into account workplace conditions, material to which someone is exposed. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. Q: When are higher exposures more likely? A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include * Where the potential exists for exposure over 3 ppm (as physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring, Hydrogen Bromide), use a MSHA/NIOSH approved spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a such as open containers), and "confined space" pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary rooms, etc.). self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure- demand or other positive-pressure mode. Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for * Exposure to 30 ppm (as Hydrogen Bromide) is community residents? immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in of exposure above 30 ppm (as Hydrogen Bromide) exists, cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing found in the workplace. However, people in the apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure- community may be exposed to contaminated water as demand or other positive-pressure mode. well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This may be a problem for children or people who are already ill. BENZYL BROMIDE page 4 of 6

Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer? ------A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer- The following information is available from: causing. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Q: What are the likely health problems from chemicals Occupational Health Service which cause mutations? PO Box 360 A: There are two primary health concerns associated with Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 mutagens: (1) cancers can result from changes induced (609) 984-1863 in cells and, (2) adverse reproductive and developmental (609) 292-5677 (fax) outcomes can result from damage to the egg and sperm cells. 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: BENZYL BROMIDE ======DOT Number: UN 1737 FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire NAERG Code: 156 department. You can request emergency information from the CAS Number: 100-39-0 following:

CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP FLAMMABILITY 2 - ======

REACTIVITY 1 - (See page 3) CORROSIVE AND COMBUSTIBLE HANDLING AND STORAGE DO NOT USE WATER POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE FIRST AID CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661 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. Seek medical attention immediately. * Benzyl Bromide is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, alcohol or polymer foam Skin Contact extinguishers. * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash * DO NOT USE WATER. area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, attention. including Hydrogen Bromide. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. Breathing * Use water spray only to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Remove the person from exposure. * Do not get water inside containers. * 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. * Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. delayed.

SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES PHYSICAL DATA

If Benzyl Bromide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: o o Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 89.6 F (32.2 C) * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from Flash Point: 188oF (86oC) area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Water Solubility: Decomposes * Remove all ignition sources. * Cover with dry lime, sand or soda ash, and place in covered OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES containers for disposal. * DO NOT USE WATER OR WET METHOD. Chemical Name: * Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. Benzene, Bromomethyl- * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Benzyl Other Names: Bromide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state alpha-Bromotoluene; Cyclite; Bromomethyl Benzene Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your ------regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be purposes. properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be ------applicable. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES Right to Know Program PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 ------