Arsenic Pentoxide Hazard Summary Identification

Common Name: ARSENIC PENTOXIDE

CAS Number: 1303-28-2 RTK Substance number: 0158 DOT Number: UN 1559 Date: January 1996 Revision: April 2002 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Arsenic Pentoxide can affect you when breathed in and * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely by passing through your skin. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Arsenic Pentoxide is a CARCINOGEN--HANDLE air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results WITH EXTREME CAUTION. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Skin contact can cause irritation, burning, itching, rash, information under OSHA 1910.1020. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health thickened skin and pigment changes. problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational * Eye contact can cause irritation and red and watery eyes. diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * Breathing Arsenic Pentoxide can irritate the nose and

throat and cause a hole in the inner nose. * Arsenic Pentoxide can cause headache, poor appetite, WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The following exposure limits are for inorganic Arsenic * High or repeated exposure can cause nerve damage, with compounds (measured as Arsenic):

“pins and needles,” numbness and later weakness of the OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit arms and legs. (PEL) is 0.01 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour * Arsenic Pentoxide may affect the liver. workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is IDENTIFICATION 0.002 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded at Arsenic Pentoxide is a white, odorless, lumpy solid or any time. powder. It is used as a solid or solution in the manufacture of ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is insecticides, fungicides and wood preservatives, and in dyeing 0.01 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. and printing. * Arsenic Pentoxide is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There REASON FOR CITATION may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all * Arsenic Pentoxide is on the Hazardous Substance List contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When DOT, NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG, NFPA and skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even EPA. though air levels are less than the limits listed above. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Definitions are provided on page 5. * Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. EXPOSED * A regulated, marked area should be established where The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers Arsenic Pentoxide is handled, used, or stored as required to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public by the OSHA Standard: 1910.1018. employers to provide their employees with information and * Wear protective work clothing. training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Arsenic federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, Pentoxide and at the end of the workshift. requires private employers to provide similar training and * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In information to their employees. addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Arsenic Pentoxide to potentially exposed workers.

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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all * Test for urine Arsenic. This is most accurate at the end of a potential and most severe health hazards that may result from workday. Eating shellfish or fish may elevate Arsenic exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance levels for up to two days. At NIOSH recommended and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the exposure levels, urine Arsenic should not be greater than potential effects described below. 100 micrograms per liter of urine. ------After suspected overexposure, repeat these tests. Also examine HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION you skin periodically for abnormal growths. Skin cancer from Arsenic is easily cured when detected early. Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and immediately or shortly after exposure to Arsenic Pentoxide: present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling * Skin contact can cause irritation, burning, itching and a exposure. rash. * Eye contact can cause irritation and red and watery eyes. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right * Breathing Arsenic Pentoxide can irritate the nose and to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. throat. * Arsenic Pentoxide can cause headache, poor appetite, Mixed Exposures nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver Chronic Health Effects damage caused by Arsenic Pentoxide. The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Arsenic Pentoxide and can last for Conditions Made Worse By Exposure months or years: * Many scientists believe that skin changes such as thickening and pigment changes make those skin areas Cancer Hazard more likely to develop skin cancer. * Arsenic Pentoxide is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause skin cancer. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous for causing reproductive damage in humans. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to Reproductive Hazard enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at * Arsenic Pentoxide may damage the testes (male the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reproductive glands). reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is Other Long-Term Effects sometimes necessary. * Long term exposure can cause an ulcer or hole in the “bone” dividing the inner nose. Hoarseness and sore eyes In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: also occur. (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the * High or repeated exposure can cause nerve damage with substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether “pins and needles”, numbness and later weakness of the harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls arms and legs. should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when * Repeated skin contact can cause thickened skin and/or significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. patchy areas of darkening and loss of pigment. Some persons develop white lines on the nails. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Arsenic Pentoxide may affect the liver. * Where possible, automatically transfer Arsenic Pentoxide MEDICAL from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical Medical Testing by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA Standard: 1910.1018. Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, * A Class I, Type B, biological safety hood should be used the following are recommended: when mixing, handling, or preparing Arsenic Pentoxide.

* Exam of the nose, skin, eyes, nails, and nervous system. * Liver function tests.

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Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous Respiratory Protection exposures. The following work practices are recommended: IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Arsenic written program that takes into account workplace conditions, Pentoxide should change into clean clothing promptly. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.002 mg/m3 individuals who have been informed of the hazards of (as Arsenic), use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator exposure to Arsenic Pentoxide. with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in work area for emergency use. combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- shower facilities should be provided. pressure mode. * On skin contact with Arsenic Pentoxide, immediately wash * Exposure to 5 mg/m3 (as Arsenic) is immediately or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have above 5 mg/m3 (as Arsenic) exists, use a NIOSH contacted Arsenic Pentoxide, whether or not known skin approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full contact has occurred. facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Arsenic Pentoxide is pressure mode. handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the toilet. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. health effects? * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. repeated exposures to a chemical.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-

term effects? WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace you immediately sick. controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been exposed to chemicals? OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is to train employees on how and when to use protective determined by the length of time and the amount of equipment. material to which someone is exposed.

The following recommendations are only guidelines and may Q: When are higher exposures more likely? not apply to every situation. A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping, Clothing etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating, * Avoid skin contact with Arsenic Pentoxide. Wear pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ surface areas such as open containers), and "confined manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, protective glove/clothing material for your operation. small rooms, etc.). * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for work. community residents? A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in Eye Protection cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those * Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles. found in the workplace. However, people in the community may be exposed to contaminated water as well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This may be a problem for children or people who are already ill. ARSENIC PENTOXIDE 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: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in Occupational Health Service animals? PO Box 360 A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human (609) 984-1863 carcinogen unless proven otherwise. (609) 984-7407 (fax)

Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/ chemical than people usually are exposed to? A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using Industrial Hygiene Information fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good humans exposed to low doses. hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that industrial hygiene survey data. cause reproductive system damage? A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both Medical Evaluation men and women. Some damage sperm and eggs, possibly If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to leading to birth defects. chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Q: Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards? Health Service, who can help you find the information you A: Pregnant women are at greatest risk from chemicals that need. harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may affect the ability to have children, so both men and Public Presentations women of childbearing age are at high risk. 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.

A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It 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 standards that regulates the transportation of chemicals. 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. PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards. HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal EPA. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air. IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases cancer-causing potential. energy under certain conditions.

A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by in another. damaging the fetus.

mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). limit recommended by ACGIH.

A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.

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Common Name: ARSENIC PENTOXIDE HANDLING AND STORAGE DOT Number: UN 1559 NAERG Code: 151 * Prior to working with Arsenic Pentoxide you should be CAS Number: 1303-28-2 trained on its proper handling and storage. * Arsenic Pentoxide is not compatible with CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA MAGNESIUM and ZINC); STRONG ACIDS (such as FLAMMABILITY - 0 HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); REACTIVITY - 0 HALOGENS; RUBIDIUM CARBIDE; OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, CARCINOGEN PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ALUMINIUM; and IRON.

* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; area. 3=serious; 4=severe

FIRST AID FIRE HAZARDS

For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of

surrounding fire. Arsenic Pentoxide itself does not burn. Eye Contact * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least including Arsenic Oxide fumes. 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.

* Use water spray only to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Skin Contact * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. contaminated skin with large amounts of water.

SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES Breathing

* Remove the person from exposure. If Arsenic Pentoxide is spilled, take the following steps: * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if

breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. area of spill until clean-up is complete.

* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe PHYSICAL DATA manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Arsenic Water Solubility: Highly soluble Pentoxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Chemical Name: * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be Arsenic (V) Oxide properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be Other Names: applicable. Arsenic Acid Anhydride; Diarsenic Pentoxide; Arsenic Anhydride ======------FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial department. You can request emergency information from the purposes. following: ------NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 SENIOR SERVICES NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP Right to Know Program ======PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 H5027 ------