Common Name: IODINE MONOCHLORIDE CAS Number: 7790-99-0 RTK Substance number: 1027 DOT Number: UN 1792 Date: April 1986 Revision: August 1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * Iodine Monochloride can affect you when breathed in. No occupational exposure limits have been established for * Iodine Monochloride is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and Iodine Monochloride. This does not mean that this substance contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be with possible eye damage. followed. * Breathing Iodine Monochloride can irritate the nose and throat. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Breathing Iodine Monochloride can irritate the lungs * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe worn. shortness of breath. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Iodine IDENTIFICATION Monochloride. Iodine Monochloride is a black, crystalline solid or a * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In reddish- brown liquid. It is used to make other chemicals, in addition, as part of an ongoing education and training laboratories, and as a disinfectant. effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Iodine Monochloride to potentially REASON FOR CITATION exposed workers. * Iodine Monochloride is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. * 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. IODINE MONOCHLORIDE 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 potential and most severe health hazards that may result from right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to Mixed Exposures any of the potential effects described below. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung --------------------------------------------------------------------------- cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health Acute Health Effects problems. The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Iodine WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Monochloride: Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous * Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most with possible eye damage. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to * Breathing Iodine Monochloride can irritate the nose and enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at throat. the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also * Breathing Iodine Monochloride can irritate the lungs reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs sometimes necessary. (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 Iodine Monochloride and can should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when last for months or years: significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. Cancer Hazard In addition, the following control is recommended: * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, * Where possible, automatically transfer Iodine Iodine Monochloride has not been tested for its ability to Monochloride or pump liquid Iodine Monochloride from cause cancer in animals. drums or other storage containers to process containers. Reproductive Hazard Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous * According to the information presently available to the exposures. The following work practices are recommended: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Iodine Monochloride has not been tested for its ability to * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Iodine affect reproduction. Monochloride should change into clean clothing promptly. Other Long-Term Effects * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family * Iodine Monochloride can irritate the lungs. Repeated members could be exposed. exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Iodine Monochloride. MEDICAL * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency Medical Testing shower facilities should be provided. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * On skin contact with Iodine Monochloride, immediately following is recommended: wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Iodine Monochloride * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and smoking, or using the toilet. present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for * For solid Iodine Monochloride use a vacuum to reduce damage already done are not a substitute for controlling dust during clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. exposure. IODINE MONOCHLORIDE page 3 of 6 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HANDLING AND STORAGE WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN * Prior to working with Iodine Monochloride you should PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for be trained on its proper handling and storage. some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs * Iodine Monochloride must be stored to avoid contact done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace with ALUMINUM FOIL; CADMIUM SULFIDE; LEAD controls are being installed), personal protective equipment SULFIDE; ORGANIC MATTER; PHOSPHORUS; may be appropriate. PHOSPHORUS TRICHLORIDE; POTASSIUM; RUBBER; SILVER SULFIDE; SODIUM; ZINC OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the SULFIDE; and other METALS since violent or explosive appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and reactions occur. to train employees on how and when to use protective * Iodine Monochloride is not compatible with STRONG equipment. BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE). The following recommendations are only guidelines and may * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated not apply to every situation. area away from WATER and STEAM as toxic and corrosive gases and fumes are produced. Clothing * Iodine Monochloride should be handled and stored under * Avoid skin contact with Iodine Monochloride. Wear Nitrogen. protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) health effects? should be clean, available each day, and put on before A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result work. from repeated exposures to a chemical. Eye Protection Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short- term effects? * Wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated goggles. exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to * Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles make you immediately sick. when working with liquids. * Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have