Common Name: Chromium Oxychloride CAS Number: 14977-61-8 DOT Number: UN 1758 Date: August 6, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Chromium Oxychloride can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Chromium Oxychloride should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Eye contact can cause severe damage with this CORROSIVE CHEMICAL. * Breathing Chromium Oxychloride can cause a hole through the inner nose and irritation of the throat and bronchial tubes. * Skin contact can cause deep ulcers or an allergic rash or severe irritation. IDENTIFICATION Chromium Oxychloride is a dark red fuming liquid with a musty burning odor. It is used in making Chromium complexes and dyes and in various organic oxidation and chlorination reactions. REASON FOR CITATION * Chromium Oxychloride is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, NFPA and DOT. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * 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 1910.20. * 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. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.001 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.05 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded at any time. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. 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 Chromium Oxychloride and at the end of the workshift. * 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 Chromium Oxychloride 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 Chromium Oxychloride: * Eye contact can cause severe damage with possible loss of vision. * Skin contact may cause irritation,and can cause skin burns with Chromium Oxychloride in a concentrated solution. * unless skin contact is quickly stopped, Chromium Oxychloride can enter the body through the affected skin areas. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Chromium Oxychloride and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * While Chromium Oxychloride has not been identified as a carcinogen, certain kinds of Chromium compounds, known as hexavalent Chromium or Chromium VI compounds, have been determined to be human carcinogens. Chromium Oxychloride is such a compound and should therefore be handled with extreme caution. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Chromium Oxychloride has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Chromium Oxychloride can cause a hole in the "bone" dividing the inner nose. Early signs may include irritation, discharge, bleeding, and/or formation of a crust in the inner nose. * Exposed persons may develop a skin allergy, with a rash like eczema. If this happens, any future skin contact can trigger severe rash. * Exposure may cause irritation of the bronchial tubes (bronchitis) with cough and phlegm. * Lung allergy, with wheezing or shortness of breath, sometimes occurs. In such cases, even small future exposure can cause symptoms. * Repeated or severe exposure may cause kidney damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Exam of the nose and skin. * Lung function tests. These may be normal if the person is not having an attack at the time of the test. * Kidney function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. * If any skin bumps or blisters develop, seek medical attention promptly. If not treated early, "chrome ulcers" can develop which can last for years. 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. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * Persons with any cuts or scratches on their hands or other skin surfaces are at increased risk of developing ulcers on skin contact. Work practices, protective clothing or removal from exposure is essential to prevent serious ulcers. * Persons with a history of skin allergy to Chromium compounds can have a severe rash with skin exposure to Chromium Oxychloride. 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 Chromium Oxychloride from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Chromium # 76-129. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Chromium Oxychloride should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Chromium Oxychloride. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Chromium Oxychloride, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Chromium Oxychloride is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. 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 Chromium Oxychloride. Wear acid- resistant gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * 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 and face shield when working with liquid Chromium Oxychloride, unless full facepiece 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.001 mg/m3, 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, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pres-sure mode. * Exposure to 30 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 30 mg/m3 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 Chromium Oxychloride you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Chromium Oxychloride must be stored to avoid contact with WATER since violent reactions occur, releasing poisonous materials including Chromic Acid, Hydrogen Chloride, Chromic Chloride and Chlorine. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from FLAMMABLE and COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS, AMMONIA, ALCOHOL and TURPENTINE. Common Name: Chromium Oxychloride DOT Number: UN 1758 DOT Emergency Guide code: 39 CAS Number: 14977-61-8 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 1 DO NOT USE WATER TO CONTROL SMALL FIRE CORROSIVE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Chromium Oxychloride does not burn, but it will increase the intensity of a fire since it is an oxidizer. * Extinguish surrounding fire with dry chemicals or CO2. * DO NOT USE WATER to control a small fire. * Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE especially if water gets in them. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Chromium Oxychloride is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Chromium Oxychloride out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Chromium Oxychloride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact the NJ 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 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 contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Breathing * Persons with wheezing or shortness of breath should have prompt medical attention. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 14 mm Hg at 68oF Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Chromium, Dichlorodioxo- Other Names and Formulations: Chromium Chloride Oxide; Chromyl Chloride; Dioxodichlorochromium. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Chromium is a steel-gray lustrous metal used to make chrome-steel or stainless steel, and for chrome-plating of other metals. Chromium exists mainly in the 3+ (III) or 6+ (VI) oxidation states in natural bodies of water, and each form can be converted to the other form under appropriate environmental conditions. Chromium may enter the environment in effluents from metal plating industries or in municipal waste treatment plant discharges. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Chromium is more toxic in soft water than in hard water. Chromium (VI) has high acute toxicity to aquatic life, and chromium (III) has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of chromium to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Chromium (III) and chromium (VI) both have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of chromium to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Water solubility of chromium and its salts ranges from low to high. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chromium is highly persistent in water, with a half-life of greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of chromium found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of chromium in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.