1230 Date: May 1999 Revision: February 2009 DOT Number: UN 2938
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Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: METHYL BENZOATE Synonyms: Methyl Benzenecarboxylate; Niobe Oil CAS Number: 93-58-3 Chemical Name: Benzoic Acid, Methyl Ester RTK Substance Number: 1230 Date: May 1999 Revision: February 2009 DOT Number: UN 2938 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Methyl Benzoate is a colorless, oily liquid with a pleasant, Hazard Summary fruity odor. It is used in perfumes and as a solvent. Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA HEALTH - 1 FLAMMABILITY - 2 REACTIVITY - 0 COMBUSTIBLE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; Reasons for Citation 4=severe f Methyl Benzoate is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT and NFPA. f Methyl Benzoate can affect you when inhaled and may be absorbed through the skin. f Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. f Inhaling Methyl Benzoate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. f Methyl Benzoate may cause a skin allergy and an asthma- like allergy. f Repeated exposure to high levels may affect the nervous SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. system. FIRST AID Eye Contact Workplace Exposure Limits f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 No occupational exposure limits have been established for minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact lenses, if worn, while rinsing. Methyl Benzoate. However, it may pose a health risk. Always follow safe work practices. Skin Contact f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash f It should be recognized that Methyl Benzoate can be contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. Inhalation 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 METHYL BENZOATE 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, Methyl Benzoate has not Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects f Methyl Benzoate may cause a skin allergy. If allergy f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact skin rash. Sheet, available on the RTK website f Methyl Benzoate may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. breath, wheezing, coughing, and/or chest tightness. f Repeated exposure to high levels may affect the nervous f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey system. Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Medical are a private worker. Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most following are recommended: employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with f Lung function tests. The results may be normal if the person information concerning chemical hazards and controls. is not having an attack at the time of the test. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 f Evaluation by a qualified allergist can help diagnose skin CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication allergy. f Exam of the nervous system Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide similar information and training to their employees. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information damage already done are not a substitute for controlling regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right effects described below. to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). Health Hazard Information Mixed Exposures Acute Health Effects f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen immediately or shortly after exposure to Methyl Benzoate: respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce f Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. your risk of developing health problems. f Inhaling Methyl Benzoate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Methyl Benzoate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Methyl Benzoate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. METHYL BENZOATE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less when working with liquids. toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures f If additional protection is needed for the entire face, use in include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely combination with a face shield. A face shield should not be irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust used without another type of eye protection. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control Respiratory Protection exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and The following work practices are also recommended: medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory f Label process containers. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). f Provide employees with hazard information and training. f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. f At any detectable concentration, use a NIOSH approved full f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge. recommended exposure levels. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. powered-air purifying respirators. f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or material. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Always wash at the end of the workshift. Methyl Benzoate, (2) while wearing particulate filters f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye contaminated. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. f Do not take contaminated clothing home. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are good, you may need a new respirator. being handled, processed or stored. f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges applying cosmetics or using the toilet. to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as 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 Personal Protective Equipment operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR mode. For increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train employees on how and when to use protective equipment. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may Fire Hazards 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 Avoid skin contact with Methyl Benzoate. Wear personal f Methyl Benzoate is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. protective equipment made from material which can not be f Use dry chemical, CO2 or foam as extinguishing agents. permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety f Water spray may be used to blanket fire. DO NOT USE equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide solid water jets. recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. material for your operation. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.