Common Name: Chlorine Dioxide CAS Number: 10049-04-4 DOT Number: NA 9191 (Frozen Solution) Date: September, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Chlorine Dioxide can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; cough, chest pain, and tearing. Higher levels cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. * EXPLOSIVE GAS at concentrations greater than 10% or at temperatures above 266oF (130oC). * Contact with dust or other combustible materials such as paper or wood may cause a FIRE or EXPLOSION. * DOT regulations FORBID the transport of Chlorine Dioxide gas undiluted. IDENTIFICATION Chlorine Dioxide is a yellow to red gas with a pungent odor normally diluted to less than 10% in cold solution. It is sold as a hydrate in frozen form (looks like orange ice). It is used for bleaching wood pulp, oils, textiles and flour, and in water treatment. REASON FOR CITATION * Chlorine Dioxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH and EPA * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. 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. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.1 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS The following exposure limits are for Chlorine Dioxide gas: OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.1 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 0.3 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Chlorine Dioxide. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Chlorine Dioxide to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Chlorine Dioxide: * Exposure causes irritation of the nose and throat, chest pain, cough, bloody nose, and sputum. Higher levels cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can be delayed for 24 hours or more, a medical emergency. * Eye irritation can occur with watery eyes and seeing halos around lights. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Chlorine Dioxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Chlorine Dioxide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Chlorine Dioxide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposures may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. Permanent lung damage can occur, especially with repeated exposure to vapors. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. 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. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer diluted Chlorine Dioxide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Chlorine Dioxide may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Chlorine Dioxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Chlorine Dioxide. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Chlorine Dioxide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Chlorine Dioxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Chlorine Dioxide. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/ clothing material for your operation. * Where exposure to cold equipment, vapors, or liquid may occur, employees should be provided with special clothing designed to prevent the freezing of body tissues. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear splash proof chemical goggles when working with liquid, unless full face piece respiratory protection is worn. * Wear dust proof goggles when there is a potential for exposure to the gas, unless full face piece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Chlorine Dioxide does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Chlorine Dioxide, us a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a cartridge containing non combustible sorbents and providing protection against Chlorine Dioxide. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Chlorine Dioxide, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Where the potential for higher exposures exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode. * Exposure to 10 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 10 ppm exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Chlorine Dioxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Chlorine Dioxide must be stored to avoid contact with DUST or other COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS such as ORGANIC MATTER, POWDERED METALS, and AMMONIA COMPOUNDS, since violent reactions occur. * Transportation of pure Chlorine Dioxide is FORBIDDEN by DOT. * Chlorine Dioxide in dilute solution is explosive at concentrations over 10%. * Keep frozen when not in use. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dark, well ventilated area at temperatures well below 266oF (130oC). Gas explosions may occur above 266oF (130oC). * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Chlorine Dioxide is handled, used, or stored. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Chlorine Dioxide. * Wherever Chlorine Dioxide is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Chlorine Dioxide DOT Number: NA 9191 (Frozen Solution) DOT Emergency Guide code: 47 CAS Number: 10049-04-4 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- EXPLOSIVE GAS/OXIDIZER POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE TRANSPORT OF GAS IS FORBIDDEN BY DOT ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Chlorine Dioxide gas is FLAMMABLE. It is VIOLENTLY EXPLOSIVE in air at concentrations over 10% and can be ignited by almost any form of energy, including SUNLIGHT, HEAT, or SPARKS. * Use water only. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL or CO2 extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Chlorine gas. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE OR HEAT. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Chlorine Dioxide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Evacuate area of spill or leak and restrict persons not wearing protective equipment until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * If in the gaseous form, STOP THE FLOW OF GAS. If the source of the leak is a cylinder, and the leak cannot be stopped, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place in the open air, and repair the leak to allow the cylinder to empty. Pass the gas through a solution made up of a reducing agent (sodium bisulfite) and sodium bicarbonate, with a trap in the line. * If in liquid form, allow Chlorine Dioxide to evaporate and disperse while providing all available ventilation. * Keep Chlorine Dioxide out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the buildup of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of frozen Chlorine Dioxide Hydrate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ======================================= FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ======================================= FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be de layed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Greater than 760 mm Hg Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Chlorine Oxide Other Names and Formulations: Chlorine Peroxide; Chloroperoxyl; Doxcide 50. ---------------------------------------- Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ---------------------------------------- NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 086250368 ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------