Common Name: CYCLOPENTANE CAS Number: 287-92-3 RTK Substance number: 0583 DOT Number: UN 1146 Date: May 1994 Revision: January 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * Cyclopentane can affect you when breathed in. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is * Contact can irritate and burn the skin. Prolonged contact 600 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift. can cause drying and cracking of the skin. * The vapor can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to 600 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. pass out. Very high levels can cause coma. * Cyclopentane is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE HAZARD. * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust IDENTIFICATION ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be Cyclopentane is a clear liquid. It is used as a laboratory worn. reagent, a solvent, and as an extraction agent in the paint and * Wear protective work clothing. shoe industries. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Cyclopentane and at the end of the workshift. REASON FOR CITATION * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In * Cyclopentane is on the Hazardous Substance List because addition, as part of an ongoing education and training it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NFPA and EPA. effort, communicate all information on the health and * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance safety hazards of Cyclopentane to potentially exposed List because it is FLAMMABLE. workers. * Definitions are provided on page 5. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees. * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. CYCLOPENTANE page 2 of 6 This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all fatigue. Consider evaluations of the cerebellar, autonomic potential and most severe health hazards that may result from and peripheral nervous systems. Positive and borderline exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the individuals should be referred for neuropsychological substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to testing. 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 HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal immediately or shortly after exposure to Cyclopentane: right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. * Contact can irritate and burn the skin. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * The vapor can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous pass out. Very high levels can cause coma. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to Chronic Health Effects enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also some time after exposure to Cyclopentane and can last for reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is months or years: less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the Cyclopentane has not been tested for its ability to cause substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether cancer in animals. harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when Reproductive Hazard significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, In addition, the following controls are recommended: Cyclopentane has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Cyclopentane from drums or other storage containers to process Other Long-Term Effects containers. * Prolonged contact can cause drying and cracking of the * Before entering a confined space where Cyclopentane skin. may be present, check to make sure that an explosive * This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to concentration does not exist. determine whether brain or other nerve damage could occur with repeated exposure. However, many solvents Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous and other petroleum-based chemicals have been shown to exposures. The following work practices are recommended: cause such damage. Effects may include reduced memory and concentration, personality changes (withdrawal, * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by irritability), fatigue, sleep disturbances, reduced Cyclopentane should change into clean clothing coordination, and/or effects on nerves supplying internal promptly. organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms and * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by legs (weakness, "pins and needles"). individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Cyclopentane. MEDICAL * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. Medical Testing * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the shower facilities should be provided. following is recommended: * On skin contact with Cyclopentane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the * Evaluate for brain effects such as changes in memory, workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have concentration, sleeping patterns and mood (especially contacted Cyclopentane, whether or not known skin irritability and social withdrawal), as well as headaches contact has occurred. and CYCLOPENTANE page 3 of 6 * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Cyclopentane is HANDLING AND STORAGE handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, * Prior to working with Cyclopentane you should be trained smoking, or using the toilet. on its proper handling and storage. * Cyclopentane is not compatible with OXIDIZING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs area. done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are controls are being installed), personal protective equipment prohibited where Cyclopentane is used, handled, or may be appropriate. stored. * Metal containers involving the transfer of Cyclopentane OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the should be grounded and bonded. appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially to train employees on how and when to use protective when opening and closing containers of Cyclopentane. equipment. * Wherever Cyclopentane is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and The following recommendations are only guidelines and may fittings. not apply to every situation. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Cyclopentane. Wear solvent- Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ health effects? manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result protective glove/clothing material for your operation. from repeated exposures to a chemical. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- work. term effects? A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated Eye Protection exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles make