Common Name: PROPIONALDEHYDE CAS Number: 123-38-6 DOT Number: UN 1275 RTK Substance number: 1598 DOT Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable) Date: May 1998 Revision: May 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Propionaldehyde can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely * Propionaldehyde can irritate the skin causing a rash or evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area burning feeling on contact. air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results * Contact can severely irritate and burn the eyes. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Breathing Propionaldehyde can irritate the nose and information under the OSHA Access to Employee throat. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR * Breathing Propionaldehyde can irritate the lungs causing 1910.1020). coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. breath. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.145 ppm. * Propionaldehyde is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE and * The range of accepted odor threshold values is quite REACTIVE chemical and a DANGEROUS FIRE and broad. Caution should be used in relying on odor alone as EXPLOSION HAZARD. a warning of potentially hazardous exposures. IDENTIFICATION WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS Propionaldehyde is a colorless liquid with a strong fruity ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is odor. It is used as a synthetic flavoring, in plastic and rubber 20 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. manufacturing, and as a disinfectant and preservative. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE REASON FOR CITATION * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust * Propionaldehyde is on the Hazardous Substance List ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, DEP, NFPA and ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be EPA. worn. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance * Wear protective work clothing. List because it is FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to * Definitions are provided on page 5. Propionaldehyde. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING addition, as part of an ongoing education and training EXPOSED effort, communicate all information on the health and The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers safety hazards of Propionaldehyde to potentially exposed to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public workers. employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees. PROPIONALDEHYDE page 2 of 6 This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right potential and most severe health hazards that may result from to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. Mixed Exposures -------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will Acute Health Effects reduce your risk of developing health problems. The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Propionaldehyde: WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * Propionaldehyde can irritate the skin causing a rash or Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous burning feeling on contact. substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most * Contact can severely irritate and burn the eyes. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to * Breathing Propionaldehyde can irritate the nose and throat, enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at and may cause nosebleeds, sore throat, hoarseness, cough the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also and phlegm. reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is * Breathing Propionaldehyde can irritate the lungs causing less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may sometimes necessary. cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the Chronic Health Effects substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls some time after exposure to Propionaldehyde and can last for should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when months or years: significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Cancer Hazard In addition, the following controls are recommended: * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Propionaldehyde has not been tested for its ability to cause Propionaldehyde from drums or other storage containers cancer in animals. to process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Propionaldehyde Reproductive Hazard may be present, check to make sure that an explosive * According to the information presently available to the New concentration does not exist. Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Propionaldehyde has been tested and has not been shown Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous to affect reproduction. exposures. The following work practices are recommended: Other Long-Term Effects * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by * Propionaldehyde can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure Propionaldehyde should change into clean clothing may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, promptly. and/or shortness of breath. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Propionaldehyde. 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 Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, shower facilities should be provided. for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the * On skin contact with Propionaldehyde, immediately wash following are recommended: or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Propionaldehyde is * Lung function tests handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the toilet. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. PROPIONALDEHYDE page 3 of 6 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT * Propionaldehyde is not compatible with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) and some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs REDUCING AGENTS. done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace * Propionaldehyde may polymerize in the presence of controls are being installed), personal protective equipment STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, may be appropriate. SULFURIC and NITRIC) and STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR HYDROXIDE) to release HEAT. 1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train area. employees on how and when to use protective equipment. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Propionaldehyde is used, handled, or The following recommendations are only guidelines and may stored. not apply to every situation. * Metal containers involving the transfer of Propionaldehyde should be grounded and bonded. Clothing * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially * Avoid skin contact with Propionaldehyde. Wear when opening and closing containers of Propionaldehyde. protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS operation. * Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Butyl Rubber Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic and Responder® as protective materials.