Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: CARBONYL SULFIDE Synonyms: Carbon Oxysulfide; Oxycarbon Sulfide CAS Number: 463-58-1 Chemical Name: Carbon Oxide Sulfide (COS) RTK Substance Number: 0349 Date: September 1998 Revision: May 2009 DOT Number: UN 2204 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE Carbonyl Sulfide is a colorless gas with a distinct Sulfur Hazard Summary (rotten egg) odor. It is used as a grain fumigant and to make Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA other Sulfur compounds. It is also found in tobacco smoke and HEALTH - 3 in emissions from coal gasification and diesel engines. FLAMMABILITY - 4 REACTIVITY - 1 FLAMMABLE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Reasons for Citation CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE f Carbonyl Sulfide is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, DEP, IRIS, NFPA Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe and EPA. f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List. f Carbonyl Sulfide can affect you when inhaled and by passing through the skin. f Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the skin and may cause pain and redness. Contact with the liquefied gas may cause frostbite. f Eye contact can cause irritation with possible eye damage. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. f Contact can irritate the nose and throat. f Inhaling Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the lungs. Higher FIRST AID exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs Eye Contact (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. f Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 f Exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact muscle cramps, and may cause an irregular heartbeat lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention. (arrhythmia) f High or repeated exposure may affect the nervous system. Skin Contact Higher concentrations can cause convulsions, sudden f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash collapse and even death. contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek f Carbonyl Sulfide may affect the brain. medical attention. f Carbonyl Sulfide is a FLAMMABLE GAS and a f In case of exposure to liquefied gas, immerse affected part DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. in warm water. Seek medical attention. Inhalation Workplace Exposure Limits f Remove the person from exposure. f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if No occupational exposure limits have been established for breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Carbonyl Sulfide. However, it may pose a health risk. f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Always follow safe work practices. f Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. f It should be recognized that Carbonyl Sulfide can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. 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 CARBONYL SULFIDE Page 2 of 6 Determining Your Exposure Cancer Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Jersey Department of Health, Carbonyl Sulfide has not Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Reproductive Hazard f According to the information presently available to the New f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New Jersey Department of Health, Carbonyl Sulfide has not Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Sheet, available on the RTK website (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK Other Effects Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. f High or repeated exposure may affect the nervous system causing headache, dizziness, lightheadedness and passing f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey out. Higher concentrations can cause convulsions, sudden Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public collapse and even death. Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act f Carbonyl Sulfide may affect the brain causing reduced if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the memory, inability to concentrate and personality changes. federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you f Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure are a private worker. may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. f 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 concerning chemical hazards and controls. Medical The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 Medical Testing CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following are recommended: Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide similar information and training to their employees. f Chest x-ray and lung function tests f Special 24-48 hour EKG (Holter monitor) to observe and This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information record abnormal heart rhythms regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. f Exam of the nervous system Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other f EEG factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. 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 Health Hazard Information exposure. Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right immediately or shortly after exposure to Carbonyl Sulfide: to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). f Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the skin and may cause pain Mixed Exposures and redness. Contact with the liquefied gas may cause f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, frostbite. emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen f Eye contact can cause irritation with possible eye damage. respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if f Contact can irritate the nose and throat causing coughing you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce and wheezing. your risk of developing health problems. f Inhaling Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. f Exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and muscle cramps, and may cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Carbonyl Sulfide and can last for months or years: CARBONYL SULFIDE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices f Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Polyvinyl Alcohol, Silver Shield®/4H®, Viton and Barrier® as glove Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or materials for Sulfur compounds, Sulfides and Disulfides, and sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less Tychem® BR, LV, Responder® and TK; and Trellchem® toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures HPS and VPS, or the equivalent, as protective clothing include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely materials for Sulfur compounds, Sulfides and Disulfides. irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust f All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control f Where exposure to cold equipment, vapors, or liquid may exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on occur, employees should be provided with insulated gloves workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control and special clothing designed to prevent the freezing of body Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. tissues. The following work practices are also recommended: Eye Protection f Label process containers. f Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working f Provide employees with hazard information and training. with fumes, gases, or vapors. f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. recommended exposure levels. f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. Respiratory Protection f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators material. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written f Always wash at the end of the workshift. program that takes into account workplace conditions, f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and contaminated. medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory f Do not take contaminated clothing home. f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are being handled, processed or stored. f Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a NIOSH f Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece applying cosmetics or using the toilet. operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination with an In addition, the following may be useful or required: auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.