Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE Synonyms: Lithium Chloride Oxide; Lithium Oxychloride CAS Number: 13840-33-0 Chemical Name: Hypochlorous Acid, Lithium Salt RTK Substance Number: 1129 Date: October 2008 Revision: August 2016 DOT Number: UN 1471 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Lithium Hypochlorite is a white, granular solid or tablet with a Hazard Summary Chlorine odor. It is used for sanitizing, disinfecting and Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA controlling algae in swimming pools, and as laundry bleach. HEALTH 3 - FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 2 - REACTIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; Reasons for Citation 4=severe Lithium Hypochlorite is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT. Lithium Hypochlorite can affect you when inhaled. This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. List. Inhaling Lithium Hypochlorite can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Lithium Hypochlorite can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Exposure can cause headache, muscle weakness, tremor, confusion, seizures and coma. High exposure may affect the thyroid gland and heart SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. function, and may damage the kidneys. Lithium Hypochlorite is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS FIRST AID EXPLOSION HAZARD. Eye Contact Lithium Hypochlorite is not combustible but is a STRONG OXIDIZER which enhances the combustion of other Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact substances. lenses, if worn, while rinsing. Skin Contact Workplace Exposure Limits Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. No occupational exposure limits have been established for Lithium Hypochlorite. However, it may pose a health risk. Inhalation Always follow safe work practices. Remove the person from exposure. Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. 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 LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE Page 2 of 6 Hypochlorite has not been tested for its ability to cause Determining Your Exposure cancer in animals. Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Reproductive Hazard Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product While Lithium Hypochlorite has not been tested for its ingredients and important safety and health information ability to affect reproduction, it should be HANDLED WITH about the product mixture. CAUTION since several related Lithium compounds are known teratogens in humans. For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Other Effects Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, available on the RTK Lithium Hypochlorite can irritate the lungs. Repeated Program website exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, (http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/ri phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. High exposure may affect the thyroid gland and heart ght-to-know/) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or function. Hazard Communication Standard file. Long-term exposure may damage the kidneys. You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act Medical if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the Medical Testing federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, are a private worker. for frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most recommended: employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with Blood tests for Lithium level Kidney function tests information concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication following are recommended: Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide similar information and training to their employees. Evaluation of thyroid function EKG This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential damage already done are not a substitute for controlling effects described below. exposure. 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 The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Mixed Exposures immediately or shortly after exposure to Lithium Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, Hypochlorite: emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce Inhaling Lithium Hypochlorite can irritate the nose, throat your risk of developing health problems. and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath. Lithium Hypochlorite can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Exposure can cause headache, muscle weakness, muscle twitching, tremor, blurred vision, loss of coordination, confusion, seizures and coma. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Lithium Hypochlorite and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Lithium LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles. sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less If additional protection is needed for the entire face, use in toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures combination with a face shield. A face shield should not be include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely used without another type of eye protection. irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust Do not wear contact lenses when working with this ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single substance. exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Respiratory Protection workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, The following work practices are also recommended: requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory Label process containers. Provide employees with hazard information and training. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed Where the potential exists for overexposure, use a NIOSH recommended exposure levels. approved full facepiece respirator with an acid gas cartridge, Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. specifically approved for Chlorine, with a high efficiency Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous particulate prefilter. Increased protection is obtained from material. full facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. Always wash at the end of the workshift. Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect contaminated. Lithium Hypochlorite, (2) while wearing particulate filters Do not take contaminated clothing home. abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. being handled, processed or stored. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, good, you may need a new respirator. applying cosmetics or using the toilet. Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges In addition, the following may be useful or required: to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. Use a vacuum to reduce dust during clean-up. DO NOT Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a NIOSH DRY SWEEP. approved supplied-air