Hazard Summary Identification Reason For

Common Name: CHROMIC ACID

CAS Number: 7738-94-5 DOT Number: NA 1463 (Solid) RTK Substance number: 0429 UN 1755 (Solution) Date: September 1996 Revision: July 2002 ------

HAZARD SUMMARY * Chromic Acid can affect you when breathed in and by * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely passing through your skin. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Chromic Acid should be handled as a CARCINOGEN-- air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results WITH EXTREME CAUTION. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Chromic Acid can cause reproductive damage. Handle information under OSHA 1910.1020. with extreme caution. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health * Chromic Acid is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. with possible eye damage. * Breathing Chromic Acid can irritate the nose, throat and WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of The following exposure limits are for Chromic Acid breath. (measured as Chromium VI): * Chromic Acid can cause a sore and/or hole in the “bone” dividing the inner nose, sometimes with bleeding, OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit discharge or formation of a crust. (PEL) is 0.1 mg/m3, not to be exceeded at any * Chromic Acid may cause a skin allergy. If allergy time. develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is * High exposure may affect the liver. 0.001 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded at any time. IDENTIFICATION Chromic Acid is a dark, purplish red, odorless, sand-like ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 3 solid. It is used in Chromium plating, medicine, ceramic 0.05 mg/m averaged over an 8-hour workshift. glazes and paints. * Chromic Acid may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. REASON FOR CITATION There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so * Chromic Acid is on the Hazardous Substance List all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IARC, NFPA and 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 and CORROSIVE. * Definitions are provided on page 5. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. EXPOSED * Wear protective work clothing. The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Chromic to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public Acid and at the end of the workshift. employers to provide their employees with information and * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The addition, as part of an ongoing education and training federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, effort, communicate all information on the health and requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees. safety hazards of Chromic Acid to potentially exposed workers.

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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Also, check your skin daily for little bumps or blisters, the first potential and most severe health hazards that may result from sign of “Chrome ulcers.” If not treated early, these can last for exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance years after exposure. and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and ------present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION exposure.

Acute Health Effects Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. immediately or shortly after exposure to Chromic Acid: Mixed Exposures * Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung with possible eye damage. cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may * Breathing Chromic Acid can irritate the nose, throat and worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will breath. reduce your risk of developing health problems. * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause Chronic Health Effects liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at damage caused by Chromic Acid. some time after exposure to Chromic Acid and can last for months or years: Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * Persons with a history of skin allergy to Chromium Cancer Hazard compounds can have a severe rash with skin exposure to * Chromic Acid may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since Chromic Acid. it has been shown to cause lung cancer in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES a carcinogen. Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous Reproductive Hazard substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most * Chromic Acid may damage the developing fetus. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at Other Long-Term Effects the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also * Chromic Acid can cause a sore and/or hole in the “bone” reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is dividing the inner nose, sometimes with bleeding, less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is discharge, or formation of a crust. sometimes necessary. * Chromic Acid may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: skin rash. (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the * High exposure may affect the liver. substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls MEDICAL should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Medical Testing In addition, the following control is recommended: For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the

TLV or greater), the following is (are) recommended before * Where possible, automatically transfer Chromic Acid or beginning work and at regular times after that: pump liquid Chromic Acid from drums or other storage

containers to process containers. * Lung function tests.

Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the exposures. The following work practices are recommended: following are recommended:

* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by * Liver function tests. Chromic Acid should change into clean clothing promptly. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose members could be exposed. skin allergy.

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* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by Respiratory Protection individuals who have been informed of the hazards of IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. exposure to Chromic Acid. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate written program that takes into account workplace conditions, work area for emergency use. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Chromic Acid, immediately wash or * Where the potential exists for exposure over shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the 0.001 mg/m3 (as Chromium VI), use a MSHA/NIOSH workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece contacted Chromic Acid, whether or not known skin operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure contact has occurred. mode. For increased protection use in combination with an * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Chromic Acid is auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, * Exposure to 15 mg/m3 (as Chromium VI) is immediately applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the toilet. dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure * For solid Chromic Acid use a vacuum or a wet method to above 15 mg/m3 (as Chromium VI) exists, use a NIOSH reduce dust during clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT pressure mode.

WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN HANDLING AND STORAGE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Prior to working with Chromic Acid you should be trained done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace on its proper handling and storage. controls are being installed), personal protective equipment * Chromic Acid is not compatible with ACETONE; may be appropriate. AMMONIA; ARSENIC; PHOSPHORUS; SODIUM;

ALUMINUM; SULFURIC ACID; SELENIUM; and OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the ALCOHOLS. appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated to train employees on how and when to use protective area away from METALS, PLASTICS, COMBUSTIBLES equipment. and ORGANIC MATERIALS.

The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Clothing Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic * Avoid skin contact with Chromic Acid. Wear protective health effects? gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most repeated exposures to a chemical. protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- should be clean, available each day, and put on before term effects? work. A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated * ACGIH recommends Neoprene Rubber as a protective exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make material. you immediately sick.

Eye Protection Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been * For solid Chromic Acid wear impact resistant eye exposed to chemicals? protection with side shields or goggles. A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is when working with liquids. determined by the length of time and the amount of * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with material to which someone is exposed. corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. * Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this substance.

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Q: When are higher exposures more likely? ------A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust The following information is available from: releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping, etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large Occupational Health Service surface areas such as open containers), and "confined PO Box 360 space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 small rooms, etc.). (609) 984-1863 (609) 984-7407 (fax) Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for community residents? Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/ A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those Industrial Hygiene Information found in the workplace. However, people in the Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions community may be exposed to contaminated water as regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good may be a problem for children or people who are already hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of ill. industrial hygiene survey data.

Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer? Medical Evaluation A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer- If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to causing. chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the

Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in Health Service, who can help you find the information you animals? need. A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes

cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human Public Presentations carcinogen unless proven otherwise. Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a trade associations and other groups. chemical than people usually are exposed to? A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using Right to Know Information Resources fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes questions about the identity and potential health effects of cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, humans exposed to low doses. references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know Survey, education and training programs, Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that labeling requirements, and general information regarding the cause reproductive system damage? Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both (609) 984-2202. men and women. Some damage sperm and eggs, possibly ------leading to birth defects.

Q: Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards? A: Pregnant women are at greatest risk from chemicals that harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may affect the ability to have children, so both men and women of childbearing age are at high risk.

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DEFINITIONS NAERG is the North American Emergency Response ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. generic hazards of material involved in a transportation incident, and to protect themselves and the general public The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts during the initial response phase of the incident. Service to identify a specific chemical. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will 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 classifies irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.

DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Protection. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency to OSHA. that regulates the transportation of chemicals. NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer. agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, A fetus is an unborn human or animal. which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.

A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by ignite easily and burn rapidly. the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. Inhalation Hazards.

HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a EPA. measure of concentration by volume in air.

IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their energy under certain conditions. cancer-causing potential. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve damaging the fetus. in another. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. limit recommended by ACGIH. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.

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Common Name: CHROMIC ACID ======DOT Number: NA 1463 (Solid) FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire UN 1755 (Solution) department. You can request emergency information from the NAERG Code: 141 (Solid) following: 154 (Solution) CAS Number: 7738-94-5 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP ======Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 0 HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)

REACTIVITY - 1 FIRST AID CARCINOGEN AND CORROSIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Eye Contact Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue 3=serious; 4=severe without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention FIRE HAZARDS immediately.

* Chromic Acid DOES NOT BURN but is a STRONG Skin Contact OXIDIZER which may ignite organics and combustibles * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash (wood, paper and oil). area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol or polymer attention immediately. foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. Breathing * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Remove the person from exposure. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.

SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES PHYSICAL DATA

If Chromic Acid in solution is spilled or leaked or solid Water Solubility: Highly soluble Chromic Acid is spilled, take the following steps: OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES * Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Chemical Name: * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar Chromium VI Acid material and deposit in sealed containers. Other Names: * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe Chromium Trioxide; Chromic Anhydride manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. ------* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Chromic Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial Acid as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state purposes. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your ------regional office of the federal Environmental Protection NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. SENIOR SERVICES * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be Right to Know Program properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 applicable. (609) 984-2202 ------