Common Name: DINITROBENZENE (mixed isomers)
CAS Number: 25154-54-5 DOT Number: UN 1597 RTK Substance number: 0777 DOT Hazard Class: 6.1 (Poison) Date: April 2002 Revision: October 2006 ------
HAZARD SUMMARY * Dinitrobenzene 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 * Dinitrobenzene may cause reproductive damage. Handle air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results with extreme caution. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Breathing the dust or vapor can irritate the mouth, nose information under the OSHA Access to Employee and throat. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to 1910.1020). carry Oxygen causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. even death. * Repeated contact can cause the skin and eyes to turn WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS yellow and cause changes in vision. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit 3 * Dinitrobenzene may damage the liver and may cause a (PEL) is 1 mg/m averaged over an 8-hour low blood count (anemia). workshift. * Dinitrobenzene is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 3 1 mg/m averaged over a 10-hour workshift. IDENTIFICATION ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Dinitrobenzene is a pale yellow or white crystalline (sand- 3 like) solid which is usually a mixture of three isomers. It is 1 mg/m averaged over an 8-hour workshift. used in making dyes, other chemicals, and explosives. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When REASON FOR CITATION skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. * Dinitrobenzene is on the Hazardous Substance List
because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IRIS, NFPA and EPA. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust List because it is REACTIVE. ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust * Definitions are provided on page 5. ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to EXPOSED Dinitrobenzene and at the end of the workshift. The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public addition, as part of an ongoing education and training employers to provide their employees with information and effort, communicate all information on the health and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The safety hazards of Dinitrobenzene to potentially exposed federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR workers. 1910.1200) requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees.
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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and potential and most severe health hazards that may result from present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance damage already done are not a substitute for controlling and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the exposure. potential effects described below. ------Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
Acute Health Effects Mixed Exposures The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur * Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause immediately or shortly after exposure to Dinitrobenzene: liver damage, drinking alcohol can increase the liver damage caused by Dinitrobenzene. * Breathing the dust or vapor can irritate the mouth, nose and throat. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry Oxygen causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to even death. enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also Chronic Health Effects reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is some time after exposure to Dinitrobenzene and can last for sometimes necessary. months or years: In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: Cancer Hazard (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the * According to the information presently available to the New substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls Dinitrobenzene has been tested and has not been shown to should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when cause cancer in animals. significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
Reproductive Hazard In addition, the following controls are recommended:
* Dinitrobenzene (specifically 1,3-Dinitrobenzene) is toxic * Where possible, automatically transfer Dinitrobenzene to the testes of male rats and results in sperm loss and from drums or other storage containers to process infertility. It may cause reproductive damage. containers.
Other Long-Term Effects * Before entering a confined space where Dinitrobenzene may be present, check to make sure that an explosive * Repeated contact can cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow concentration does not exist. and cause changes in vision.
* Dinitrobenzene may damage the liver and may cause a low Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous blood count (anemia). exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
MEDICAL * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Dinitrobenzene should change into clean clothing Medical Testing promptly. Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family the following are recommended: members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by * Complete blood count individuals who have been informed of the hazards of * Liver function tests exposure to Dinitrobenzene. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the work area for emergency use. following is recommended: * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * Blood methemoglobin level
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* On skin contact with Dinitrobenzene, immediately wash or * Where the potential exists for exposure over 1 mg/m3, use shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the a NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have vapor cartridge and particulate prefilters. Increased contacted Dinitrobenzene, whether or not known skin protection is obtained from full facepiece powered-air contact has occurred. purifying respirators. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Dinitrobenzene is * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be smell, taste, or otherwise detect Dinitrobenzene, or if while swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to breathing applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the toilet. is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while wearing a full * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- facepiece respirator, leave the area immediately. Check to up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN workplace. You may need a combination of filters, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for prefilters or cartridges to protect against different forms of a some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace chemicals. controls are being installed), personal protective equipment * Where the potential exists for exposure over 10 mg/m3, use may be appropriate. a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR pressure mode. For increased protection use in 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- employees on how and when to use protective equipment. pressure mode.
* Exposure to 29 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and The following recommendations are only guidelines and may health. If the possibility of exposure above 29 mg/m3 not apply to every situation. exists, use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure- Clothing demand or other positive-pressure mode equipped with an * Avoid skin contact with Dinitrobenzene. Wear protective emergency escape air cylinder. gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on HANDLING AND STORAGE the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * Prior to working with Dinitrobenzene you should be * Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Viton; Butyl trained on its proper handling and storage. Rubber; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Silver Shield/4H®; DuPont * Dinitrobenzene must be stored to avoid contact with Responder®, Tychem® BR/LV, and TK; and Trellchem® OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, HPS as protective materials for Nitrobenzenes. PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) should be clean, available each day, and put on before and NITRIC ACID since violent reactions occur. work. * Dinitrobenzene is not compatible with STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM Eye Protection HYDROXIDE); REDUCING AGENTS; POWDERED * Wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or METALS; and ALKALI METALS (such as POTASSIUM, goggles. LITHIUM and SODIUM). * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. area and protect from SHOCK, FRICTION or HEAT to prevent spontaneous decomposition and explosions. Respiratory Protection * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. prohibited where Dinitrobenzene is used, handled, or Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or written program that takes into account workplace conditions, explosion hazard. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and * Wherever Dinitrobenzene is used, handled, manufactured, medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). fittings.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ------The following information is available from: Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health effects? New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from Occupational Health Service repeated exposures to a chemical. PO Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- (609) 984-1863 term effects? (609) 984-7407 (fax) A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/
you immediately sick. Industrial Hygiene Information
Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust exposed to chemicals? ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of determined by the length of time and the amount of industrial hygiene survey data. material to which someone is exposed. Medical Evaluation Q: When are higher exposures more likely? If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping, Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating, Health Service, who can help you find the information you pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large need. surface areas such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, Public Presentations small rooms, etc.). Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for trade associations and other groups. community residents? A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in Right to Know Information Resources cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer found in the workplace. However, people in the questions about the identity and potential health effects of community may be exposed to contaminated water as chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the may be a problem for children or people who are already Right to Know Survey, education and training programs, ill. labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that (609) 984-2202. cause reproductive system damage? ------A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both 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. DINITROBENZENE (mixed isomers) page 5 of 6
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: DINITROBENZENE ======(mixed isomers) FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. You can request emergency information from the DOT Number: UN 1597 following: DOT Hazard Class: 6.1 (Poison)
NAERG Code: 152 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 CAS Number: 25154-54-5 NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP
======Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA HANDLING AND STORAGE (see page 3) FLAMMABILITY - 1 FIRST AID REACTIVITY - 4 For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 REACTIVE AND COMBUSTIBLE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Eye Contact CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; medical attention immediately. 3=serious; 4=severe Skin Contact FIRE HAZARDS * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical * Dinitrobenzene is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID which may attention immediately. explode in a fire due to spontaneous decomposition. Fight fires from an explosion-resistant location. Breathing * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or a foaming agent. * Remove the person from exposure. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if including Nitrogen Oxides. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be PHYSICAL DATA trained and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Vapor Pressure: Less than 1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Standard (29 CFR 1910.156). Flash Point: 302oF (150oC)
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble
If Dinitrobenzene is spilled, take the following steps: OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: * Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the Benzene, Dinitro- area. * Eliminate all ignition sources. Dinitrobenzene is usually a mixture of 3 isomers: * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe 1,2-Dinitrobenzene (o-Dinitrobenzene) manner and deposit in sealed containers. CAS # 528-29-0; * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. 1,3-Dinitrobenzene (m-Dinitrobenzene) * Keep Dinitrobenzene out of a confined space, such as a CAS # 99-65-0; sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion. 1,4-Dinitrobenzene (p-Dinitrobenzene) * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of CAS # 100-25-4 Dinitrobenzene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact Other Names: your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Dinitrobenzol 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. The OSHA Hazardous ------Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CFR 1910.120) may apply. SENIOR SERVICES Right to Know Program PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 ------