Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet
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Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: NITRIC OXIDE Synonyms: Nitrogen Monoxide CAS Number: 10102-43-9 Chemical Name: Nitrogen Oxide RTK Substance Number: 1357 Date: August 1999 Revision: August 2009 DOT Number: UN 1660 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Nitric Oxide is a colorless gas with a sharp odor. It is the Hazard Summary main component of photochemical smog and occurs as a by- Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA product of tobacco smoke, and propane, diesel and gasoline HEALTH 3 3 engine exhaust. It is also used as bleaching agent for rayon FLAMMABILITY 0 0 and for making Nitric Acid and other Nitrogen compounds. REACTIVITY 2 0 REACTIVE AND STRONG OXIDIZER f ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.3 to 1 ppm POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE f Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE determine potentially hazardous exposures. Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe f Nitric Oxide can affect you when inhaled. Reasons for Citation f Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. f Nitric Oxide is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance f Inhaling Nitric Oxide can irritate the nose and throat. List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, f Inhaling Nitric Oxide can irritate the lungs. Higher DEP, IRIS, NFPA and EPA. exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. f High levels of this substance may reduce the blood’s ability to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). f Repeated high exposure can damage the teeth and can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, FIRST AID unconsciousness and death. Eye Contact f Nitric Oxide is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 EXPLOSION HAZARD. minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact f Nitric Oxide is not combustible, but it is a STRONG lenses, if worn, while rinsing. OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other substances. Skin Contact f Nitric Oxide is converted spontaneously in air to Nitrogen f Remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin Dioxide. For more information, consult the Right to Know with soap and water. Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet on NITROGEN DIOXIDE. Inhalation f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if Workplace Exposure Limits breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. 25 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. f Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 25 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift. EMERGENCY NUMBERS ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 25 ppm averaged Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 over an 8-hour workshift. CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 NITRIC OXIDE 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, Nitric Oxide has not been Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product tested for its ability to affect reproduction. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects f Nitric Oxide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, and/or Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact shortness of breath. Sheet, available on the RTK website f Repeated high exposure can damage the teeth and can (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. unconsciousness and death. f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Medical Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the Medical Testing federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or greater), the following is recommended before beginning work are a private worker. and at regular times after that: f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and f Blood methemoglobin level requires public employers to provide their employees with If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the information concerning chemical hazards and controls. following is recommended: The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication f Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure 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 f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, Acute Health Effects emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if immediately or shortly after exposure to Nitric Oxide: you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. f Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. f Inhaling Nitric Oxide can irritate the nose and throat. f Inhaling Nitric Oxide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. f High levels of this substance may reduce the blood’s ability to transport Oxygen, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips (methemoglobinemia). Exposure to very high levels may cause trouble breathing, collapse and even death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Nitric Oxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Nitric Oxide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. NITRIC OXIDE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures Eye Protection include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely f Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust with fumes, gases, or vapors. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on f Do not wear contact lenses when working with this workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control substance. Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. Respiratory Protection The following work practices are also recommended: Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators should only be used if the employer has implemented a written f Label process containers. program that takes into account workplace conditions, f Provide employees with hazard information and training. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory recommended exposure levels. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous f Where the potential exists for exposure over 25 ppm, use a material. NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a cartridge f Always wash at the end of the workshift. which is specifically approved for Nitric Oxide. Increased f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes protection is obtained from full facepiece powered-air contaminated. purifying respirators. f Do not take contaminated clothing home. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are Nitric Oxide, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal being handled, processed or stored. resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to applying cosmetics or using the toilet. 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, In addition, the following may be useful or required: you may need a new respirator.