Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: ZINC SULFATE Synonyms: White Vitriol; Zinc Vitriol CAS Number: 7733-02-0 Chemical Name: Sulfuric Acid, Zinc Salt (1:1) RTK Substance Number: 2044 Date: September 1998 Revision: February 2008 DOT Number: UN 3077 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Zinc Sulfate is a colorless, odorless, crystalline powder. It is Hazard Summary used in making rayon, as a wood preservative, and as an Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA analytical reagent. It is also used as a dietary supplement, and HEALTH 2 - in herbicides, water treatment, fireproofing, deodorant, FLAMMABILITY 0 - cosmetics and fertilizers. REACTIVITY 0 - POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; Reasons for Citation 4=severe f Zinc Sulfate is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, DEP and EPA. f Zinc Sulfate can affect you when inhaled. f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Zinc Sulfate can irritate the nose and throat. f Exposure to Zinc Sulfate can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. Workplace Exposure Limits FIRST AID No occupational exposure limits have been established for Eye Contact f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 Zinc Sulfate. However, it may pose a health risk. Always minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact follow safe work practices. lenses, if worn, while rinsing. Skin Contact f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Inhalation f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. EMERGENCY NUMBERS Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 ZINC SULFATE 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, Zinc Sulfate 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 Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New dryness and redness. Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, available on the RTK website (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. Medical Medical Testing f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey There is no special test for this chemical. However, seek Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public medical attention if illness occurs or overexposure is Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act suspected. if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and are a private worker. present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most exposure. employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right information concerning chemical hazards and controls. to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide similar information and training to their employees. This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Zinc Sulfate: f Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye damage. f Inhaling Zinc Sulfate can irritate the nose and throat, causing coughing and wheezing. f Exposure to Zinc Sulfate can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Zinc Sulfate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard f There is no evidence that Zinc Sulfate causes cancer in animals. This is based on test results presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health from published studies. ZINC SULFATE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles. sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust Respiratory Protection ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on program that takes into account workplace conditions, workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory The following work practices are also recommended: Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). f Label process containers. f Where the potential exists for exposure, use a NIOSH f Provide employees with hazard information and training. approved full facepice air-purifying, particulate filter f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. respirator with an N95 filter. Even greater protection is f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. recommended exposure levels. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous Zinc Sulfate, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal material. resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation f Always wash at the end of the workshift. occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, contaminated. replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good, f Do not take contaminated clothing home. you may need a new respirator. f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. f Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges being handled, processed or stored. to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. applying cosmetics or using the toilet. f Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece In addition, the following may be useful or required: operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination with an f Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. Personal Protective Equipment Fire Hazards If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate (29 CFR 1910.156). personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train employees on how and when to use protective equipment. f Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Zinc Sulfate itself does not burn. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may f POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including not apply to every situation. Sulfur Oxides and Zinc Oxide. f Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Gloves and Clothing f Avoid skin contact with Zinc Sulfate. Wear personal protective equipment made from material which can not be permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing material for your operation. f Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Rubber for gloves and DuPont Tyvek® or equivalent as protective materials for clothing. f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. ZINC SULFATE Page 4 of 6 Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be Resources properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health offers multiple services 1910.120) may apply. in occupational health. These services include providing informational resources, educational materials, public If Zinc Sulfate is spilled, take the following steps: presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical investigations and evaluations.