Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL Synonyms: Isopropanol; Methyl Carbinol CAS Number: 67-63-0 Chemical Name: 2-Propanol RTK Substance Number: 1076 Date: April 2011 Revision: February 2016 DOT Number: UN 1219 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Isopropyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid with a sharp, musty Hazard Summary odor. It is used in making cosmetics, skin and hair products, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA perfumes, pharmaceuticals, lacquers, dyes, cleaners, HEALTH - 1 antifreezes and other chemicals. FLAMMABILITY - 3 REACTIVITY - 0 ODOR THRESHOLD = 22 ppm FLAMMABLE Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE determine potentially hazardous exposures. CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe Reasons for Citation Isopropyl Alcohol is on the Right to Know Hazardous Isopropyl Alcohol can affect you when inhaled and by Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, passing through the skin. NIOSH, DEP, IARC, NFPA and EPA. Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Prolonged or This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance repeated contact can cause a skin rash, itching, dryness and List. redness. Inhaling Isopropyl Alcohol can irritate the nose and throat. Repeated high exposure can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination, unconsciousness and even death. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. Isopropyl Alcohol may affect the liver and kidneys. Isopropyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRST AID DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. Eye Contact Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact Workplace Exposure Limits lenses, if worn, while rinsing. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 400 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. Skin Contact Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. 400 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 500 ppm, not to be exceeded during any 15-minute Inhalation work period. Remove the person from exposure. Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 200 ppm averaged breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. over an 8-hour workshift and 400 ppm as a STEL Transfer promptly to a medical facility. (short-term exposure limit). The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin EMERGENCY NUMBERS contact also occurs you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL Page 2 of 7 Determining Your Exposure Other Effects Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product itching, dryness and redness. ingredients and important safety and health information This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to about the product mixture. determine whether repeated exposure can cause brain or other nerve damage. However, many solvents and other For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New petroleum-based chemicals have been shown to cause such Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact damage. Effects may include reduced memory and Sheet, available on the RTK website concentration, personality changes (withdrawal, irritability), (http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to- fatigue, sleep disturbances, reduced coordination, and/or know) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard effects on nerves supplying internal organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms and legs (weakness, “pins Communication Standard file. and needles”). You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Isopropyl Alcohol may affect the liver and kidneys. Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the Medical federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you are a private worker. Medical Testing For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most greater), the following are recommended before beginning employers to label chemicals in the workplace and work and at regular times after that: requires public employers to provide their employees with information concerning chemical hazards and controls. Liver function tests 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. Kidney function tests Evaluate for brain effects such as changes in memory, This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information concentration, sleeping patterns and mood (especially regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. irritability and social withdrawal), as well as for headaches Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other and fatigue. Consider evaluations of the cerebellar, factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential autonomic and peripheral nervous systems. Positive and effects described below. borderline individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing. Health Hazard Information Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for Acute Health Effects damage already done are not a substitute for controlling The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur exposure. immediately or shortly after exposure to Isopropyl Alcohol: You have a legal right to request copies of your medical testing Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Inhaling Isopropyl Alcohol can irritate the nose and throat Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). causing coughing and wheezing. Overexposure can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, Mixed Exposures loss of coordination, unconsciousness and even death. More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol can increase the liver damage Chronic Health Effects caused by Isopropyl Alcohol. The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Isopropyl Alcohol and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard While Isopropyl Alcohol has been tested, it is not classifiable as to its potential to cause cancer. Reproductive Hazard There is limited evidence that Isopropyl Alcohol may damage the developing fetus in animals. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL Page 3 of 7 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) Workplace Controls and Practices should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. 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 goggles when working with liquids that toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures may splash, spray or mist. A face shield is also required if include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely the liquid is severely irritating or corrosive to the skin and irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust eyes. ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control Respiratory Protection exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and The following work practices are also recommended: medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory Label process containers. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Provide employees with hazard information and training. Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. Where the potential exists for exposure over 200 ppm, use a Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic recommended exposure levels. vapor cartridge. Increased protection is obtained from full Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. facepiece powered-air purifying respirators. Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or material. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Always wash at the end of the workshift. Isopropyl Alcohol, (2) while wearing particulate filters Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes abnormal resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye contaminated. irritation occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Do not take contaminated clothing home. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. If it is, replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer Do not eat, smoke,