Common Name: Trifluralin CAS Number: 1582-09-8 DOT Number: UN 2588 Date: June 13, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Trifluralin can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Trifluralin may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * Exposure may irritate the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. * Eye or skin contact may cause irritation. * Skin contact can cause rash from irritation or a rash that is made worse by sunlight exposure or contaminated skin. * High or repeated overexposure may affect the liver and kidneys and/or cause anemia. IDENTIFICATION Trifluralin is a yellow to yellow-orange, crystalline (sugar or sand-like) material. It is used to control grasses and weeds. REASON FOR CITATION * Trifluralin is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DEP, DOT and EPA. 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 No occupational exposure limits have been established for Trifluralin. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Trifluralin can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * Trifluralin may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical 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. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Trifluralin 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 Trifluralin 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 Trifluralin: * Breathing Trifluralin may irritate the nose, throat and bronchial tubes, possibly causing cough, phlegm and/or tightness in the chest. * Eye contact may cause irritation. * Skin contact, especially if prolonged or repeated, may cause rash from irritation effects. Another type of rash may also occur if the contaminated skin area is exposed to sunlight. This is also called "photodermatitis". Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Trifluralin and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Trifluralin may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study. and in fact there is limited evidence that Trifluralin causes cancer in animals. It may cause cancer of the lung. * 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 * There is limited evidence that Trifluralin may damage the developing fetus. Other Long-Term Effects * High or repeated overexposure may affect the kidneys and liver and/or cause anemia. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Kidney and liver function tests. * Red blood cell count or hemoglobin/ hematocrit. 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 Exposure to sunlight on skin areas contaminated with Trifluralin can cause a rash. 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, transfer Trifluralin from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Trifluralin should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Trifluralin. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Trifluralin, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Trifluralin, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Trifluralin is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. Do not dry sweep. 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 Trifluralin. 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. * The Farm Chemicals handbook recommends Neoprene as a protective material. Eye Protection * Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, 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 * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Trifluralin does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures to Trifluralin, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. Increased protection is obtained from powered-air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Trifluralin, 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. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for high 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, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Trifluralin DOT Number: UN 2588 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 1582-09-8 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Trifluralin may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * 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 Trifluralin is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Trifluralin as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Trifluralin you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Store Trifluralin at temperatures above 40oF (4.4oC). FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. 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 Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Benzenamine, 2,6-Dinitro-N,N-Dipropyl-4-(Trifluoromethyl)- Other Names and Formulations: Agreflan; Elancolan; Treflam; Trim. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Trifluralin is an herbicide used to control weeds in a wide variety of agricultural, vegetable and citrus crops. It is a yellow crystalline solid. It may enter the environment as agricultural runoff, in industrial 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. Trifluralin has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused injuries to an agricultural crop. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short term effects of Trifluralin 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. Trifluralin has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of trifluralin to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Trifluralin is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Trifluralin is highly persistent in water, with a half-life 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. About 49% of trifluralin will eventually end up in terrestrial soils; about 46% will end up in aquatic sediments; and the rest will end up in the water. 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 trifluralin found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of trifluralin in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA, Phytotox.