Vanadium Tetrachloride Hazard Summary

Common Name: VANADIUM TETRACHLORIDE

CAS Number: 7632-51-1 DOT Number: UN 2444 RTK Substance number: 1994 DOT Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) Date: May 1998 Revision: August 2005 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Vanadium Tetrachloride can affect you when breathed * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely in and by passing through your skin. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Vanadium Tetrachloride is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results and contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Breathing Vanadium Tetrachloride can irritate the nose information under OSHA 1910.1020. and throat. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health * Breathing Vanadium Tetrachloride can irritate the lungs problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS shortness of breath. The following exposure limits are for Vanadium compounds * Exposure may cause a green coating on the tongue. (measured as Vanadium): * Vanadium Tetrachloride may affect the liver. * Vanadium Tetrachloride is a REACTIVE CHEMICAL OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit and an EXPLOSION HAZARD. (PEL) is 0.05 mg/m3 (as Vanadium dust), and 0.1 mg/m3 (as Vanadium fume), not to be IDENTIFICATION exceeded at any time. Vanadium Tetrachloride is a thick reddish-brown liquid that gives off fumes on exposure to moist air. It is used as a NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is fixative in textile dyeing and in the manufacture of other 0.05 mg/m3 (as Vanadium dust or fume), which Vanadium compounds. should not be exceeded during any 15-minute work period. REASON FOR CITATION * Vanadium Tetrachloride is on the Hazardous Substance * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by DOT, skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even NIOSH and NFPA. though air levels are less than the limits listed above. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE and REACTIVE. 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 employers to provide their employees with information and Vanadium Tetrachloride 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 Vanadium Tetrachloride to potentially exposed workers.

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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the potential and most severe health hazards that may result from following are recommended: exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the * Urine test for Vanadium. potential effects described below. * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. ------* Liver function tests.

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for Acute Health Effects damage already done are not a substitute for controlling The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur exposure. immediately or shortly after exposure to Vanadium Tetrachloride: Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. * Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. * Breathing Vanadium Tetrachloride can irritate the nose Conditions Made Worse By Exposure and throat. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung * Breathing Vanadium Tetrachloride can irritate the lungs cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe reduce your risk of developing health problems. shortness of breath. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause * Exposure may cause a green coating on the tongue. liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused by Vanadium Tetrachloride. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES some time after exposure to Vanadium Tetrachloride and can last for months or years: Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most Cancer Hazard effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to * According to the information presently available to the New enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also Vanadium Tetrachloride has not been tested for its ability reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is to cause cancer in animals. less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the Vanadium Tetrachloride has not been tested for its ability substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether to affect reproduction. harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Other Long-Term Effects significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * Vanadium Tetrachloride can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, In addition, the following control are recommended: phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Vanadium Tetrachloride may affect the liver. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Vanadium Tetrachloride from drums or other storage containers to MEDICAL process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Vanadium Tetrachloride may be present, check to make sure that an Medical Testing explosive concentration does not exist. For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or greater), the following are recommended before Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous beginning work and at regular times after that: exposures. The following work practices are recommended:

* Lung function tests. * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Vanadium Tetrachloride should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Vanadium Tetrachloride. VANADIUM TETRACHLORIDE page 3 of 6

* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate * Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.05 mg/m3 work area for emergency use. (as Vanadium dust or fume), use a NIOSH approved * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a shower facilities should be provided. pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For * On skin contact with Vanadium Tetrachloride, increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure- the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that demand or other positive-pressure mode. may have contacted Vanadium Tetrachloride, whether or * Exposure to 35 mg/m3 (as Vanadium) is immediately not known skin contact has occurred. dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Vanadium above 35 mg/m3 exists, use a NIOSH approved self- Tetrachloride is handled, processed, or stored, since the contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet. equipped with an emergency escape air cylinder.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HANDLING AND STORAGE

WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN * Prior to working with Vanadium Tetrachloride you PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for should be trained on its proper handling and storage. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Vanadium Tetrachloride will react violently with done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace WATER or MOIST AIR to release heat and flammable and controls are being installed), personal protective equipment toxic vapors of Hydrogen Chloride, Vanadium Trichloride may be appropriate. and Vanadium Oxytrichlorides. * Vanadium Tetrachloride is not compatible with METALS OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the (such as ALUMINUM and SODIUM); POLAR appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and SOLVENTS; and PLASTICS. to train employees on how and when to use protective * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated equipment. area away from HEAT, MOISTURE, FLAMMABLES and

COMBUSTIBLES. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may * LIGHT decomposes Vanadium Tetrachloride to form not apply to every situation. Chlorine gas. Clothing * Open containers in a dry, Oxygen-free atmosphere or under an inert gas blanket. * Avoid skin contact with Vanadium Tetrachloride. Wear

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 from work. 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 make corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. 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 physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.).

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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) 984-7407 (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, the TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. 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.

CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which consists of the NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies regulations of the United States government. substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. to OSHA.

DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests Protection. chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.

DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, that regulates the transportation of chemicals. which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.

EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

A fetus is an unborn human or animal. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air. The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases energy under certain conditions. IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- cancer-causing potential. minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a work day. IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database of the federal EPA. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus. A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH. mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in. lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

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Common Name: VANADIUM * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be TETRACHLORIDE properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be DOT Number: UN 2444 applicable. DOT Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) NAERG Code: 137 ======CAS Number: 7632-51-1 FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. You can request emergency information from the following: Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 0 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP REACTIVITY - 2 ======CORROSIVE REACTIVE HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3) DO NOT USE WATER POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE FIRST AID Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222

FIRE HAZARDS Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue * Vanadium Tetrachloride itself does not burn, but it may without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally increase the intensity of a fire since it is an Oxidizer. lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention * DO NOT USE WATER. Vanadium Tetrachloride reacts immediately. violently with water. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or sand extinguishers on Skin Contact surrounding fire. * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical including Hydrogen Chloride gas, and Vanadium and attention immediately. Vanadium Oxide fumes. * Vanadium Tetrachloride may ignite combustibles (wood, Breathing paper and oil). * Remove the person from exposure. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be If Vanadium Tetrachloride is spilled or leaked, take the delayed. following steps: PHYSICAL DATA * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from Vapor Pressure: 7.63 mm Hg at 77oF (25oC) area of spill until clean-up is complete. Water Solubility: Decomposes * Remove all ignition sources.

* DO NOT USE WATER OR WET METHOD. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES * Cover spills with soda ash or absorb with clay or earth and deposit in dry polyethylene containers. Chemical Name: * Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. Vanadium Chloride * Keep Vanadium Tetrachloride out of a confined space, Other Names: such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, Vanadium Chloride (VCl4), (T-4)- unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of ------explosive concentrations. Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Vanadium purposes. Tetrachloride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your ------state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND your regional office of the federal Environmental SENIOR SERVICES Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Right to Know Program PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202