Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: CARBON TETRACHLORIDE Synonyms: Tetrachlorocarbon; Perchloromethane; Carbon Tet CAS Number: 56-23-5 Chemical Name: Methane, Tetrachloro- RTK Substance Number: 0347 Date: December 2007 Revision: December 2016 DOT Number: UN 1846 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Carbon Tetrachloride is a colorless liquid with an Ether-like Hazard Summary odor. It is used as a solvent and in making fire extinguishers, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA refrigerants and aerosols. HEALTH - 3 FLAMMABILITY - 0 ODOR THRESHOLD=greater than 10 ppm REACTIVITY - 0 Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to CARCINOGEN determine potentially hazardous exposures. POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; Reasons for Citation 4=severe Carbon Tetrachloride is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, Carbon Tetrachloride can affect you when inhaled and by NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, NFPA and EPA. passing through the skin. This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance Carbon Tetrachloride should be handled as a List. CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible loss of vision. Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness and passing out. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. Carbon Tetrachloride can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. FIRST AID Carbon Tetrachloride can damage the liver and kidneys. Eye Contact Immediately flush with large amounts of cool water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove Workplace Exposure Limits contact lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention immediately. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift; 25 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute Skin Contact work period; and 200 ppm as a 5-minute maximum Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash peak in any 4 hour work period. contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 2 ppm, which should not be exceeded for any Inhalation 60-minute period. Remove the person from exposure. Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 5 ppm averaged breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. over an 8-hour workshift and 10 ppm as a STEL Transfer promptly to a medical facility. (short-term exposure limit). Carbon Tetrachloride may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. EMERGENCY NUMBERS There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 air levels are less than the limits listed above. National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 CARBON TETRACHLORIDE Page 2 of 6 Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard There is limited evidence that Carbon Tetrachloride may Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data damage the developing fetus and at high doses may Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product damage the testes (male reproductive glands). ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New dryness, blisters and redness. Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact Carbon Tetrachloride can damage the liver and kidneys. Sheet, available on the RTK Program website (http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to- know/) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard Medical Communication Standard file. Medical Testing You have a right to this information under the New Jersey For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public greater), the following are recommended before beginning Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act work and at regular times after that: if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Liver and kidney function tests are a private worker. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the The New Jersey Right to Know Act and the PEOSH following is recommended: Hazard Communication Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) requires most employers to label chemicals in the Exam of the nervous system workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information concerning chemical hazards Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication damage already done are not a substitute for controlling Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires private employers exposure. to provide similar information and training to their employees. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other Mixed Exposures factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver effects described below. damage. Drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused by Carbon Tetrachloride. Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Carbon Tetrachloride: Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible loss of vision. Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness and passing out. It can also affect concentration, memory, vision, and muscle coordination. Higher levels can cause coma and death. Carbon Tetrachloride can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Carbon Tetrachloride and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard Carbon Tetrachloride may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to Workplace Controls and Practices a carcinogen. CARBON TETRACHLORIDE Page 3 of 6 Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or Eye Protection sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures when working with liquids. include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single Do not wear contact lenses when working with this exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control substance. exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Respiratory Protection Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators The following work practices are also recommended: should only be used if the employer has implemented a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, Label process containers. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and Provide employees with hazard information and training. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed recommended exposure levels. Where the potential exists for exposure over 2 ppm, use a Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure material. mode. For increased protection use in combination with an Always wash at the end of the workshift. auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. contaminated. Exposure to 200 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and Do not take contaminated clothing home. health. If the possibility of exposure above 200 ppm exists, Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other being handled, processed or stored. positive-pressure mode equipped with an emergency escape Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, air cylinder. applying cosmetics or using the toilet. Fire Hazards Personal Protective Equipment 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