Common Name: Ethyleneimine CAS Number: 151-56-4 DOT Number: UN 1185 Date: October, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Ethyleneimine can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Ethyleneimine should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. It may damage the developing fetus. * Exposure can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and severely irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Higher levels can cause fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and kidney damage. It can cause death. * Ethyleneimine is a FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Ethyleneimine is a clear colorless liquid with the odor of ammonia. It is used as an intermediate and monomer for fuel oil and lubricant refining. REASON FOR CITATION * Ethyleneimine is on the RTK Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, DEP, CAG and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN and is REACTIVE and FLAMMABLE. 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. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 1.5 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. * 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 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * 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. * Ethyleneimine may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. 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. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Ethyleneimine is handled, used, or stored as required in the OSHA standard 1910.1012. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ethyleneimine 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 Ethyleneimine 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 Ethyleneimine: * When breathed in or absorbed through the skin or eyes, it can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, liver and kidney damage and death. * Loss of vision can result from eye splashes. * The liquid can severely burn the eyes and skin. The vapor can irritate the nose and throat (causing ulcers) and lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath, and may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. * WARNING: Symptoms are often delayed 1-3 hours and thus may not provide adequate warning of risk. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Ethyleneimine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Ethyleneimine may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause lung, liver and lymph gland cancers in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * Ethyleneimine may damage the developing fetus. Other Long-Term Effects * Ethyleneimine may cause a skin allergy. Once allergy develops, even very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Ethyleneimine causes lung damage. * Long-term exposure may damage the liver and kidneys. It may lower the white blood cell count. 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 over-exposure. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. 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 pump liquid Ethyleneimine from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA standard: 1910.1012. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ethyleneimine 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 Ethyleneimine. * 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 Ethyleneimine, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Ethyleneimine at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ethyleneimine 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 Ethyleneimine. Wear protective 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 * Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory protection. 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. * At any exposure level, 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 pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Ethyleneimine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Ethyleneimine is handled, used, or stored. * Ethyleneimine must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Ethyleneimine is handled, used, or stored. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Ethyleneimine should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Ethyleneimine. * Wherever Ethyleneimine is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Ethyleneimine DOT Number: UN 1185 DOT Emergency Guide code: 30 CAS Number: 151-56-4 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 3 REACTIVITY 2 ---------------------------------------- FLAMMABLE AND REACTIVE LIQUID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Ethyleneimine is a flammable liquid. * Use dry chemical or alcohol foam extinguishers and water to deep fire-exposed containers cool. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Oxides of Nitrogen. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * The vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to cause a fire or explosion far from the source. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Ethyleneimine 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. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Keep Ethyleneimine 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 Ethyleneimine 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 Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 45 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately since eye splashes allow Ethyleneimine to enter the body and can cause severe illness or death. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 160 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 12oF Water Solubility: Highly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Aziridine Other Names and Formulations: Aminoethylene; Azirane; Dimethyleneimine. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Ethyleneimine is a colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. It is used in a wide variety of industrial applications. The paper industry uses a derivative to increase the dewatering rate of paper and to enhance the retention of dyes, pigments, and fillers. It is used to improve fabric durability in the textile industry. Other uses of ethyleneimine and derivatives are in the manufacture of ion-exchange resins, adhesives, coatings and plastics; in the flocculation of suspended matter in industrial and municipal waste waters; and in cancer chemotherapy. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, municipal waste treatment discharges, or spills. 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. Ethyleneimine has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused germination decrease, sterility increase, and mutation increases in various crops. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of ethyleneimine to 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. Ethyleneimine has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of ethyleneimine to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Ethyleneimine is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Ethyleneimine is moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 93% of ethyleneimine will eventually end up in the water; the rest will end up in the air. 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 ethyleneimine found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of ethyleneimine in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA, Phytotox.