Common Name: n-Nitrosonornicotine CAS Number: 16543-55-8 DOT Number: UN 1655 Date: July, 1989 ------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * n-Nitrosonornicotine can affect you when breathed in. * Some related chemicals (Nitrosoamines) can cause headache, abdominal cramps, weakness, and dizziness. * Repeated exposure may cause liver damage. IDENTIFICATION n-Nitrosonornicotine is a yellow, oily, liquid found in cigarette smoke and snuff tobacco. It has been prepared in research laboratories but is not manufactured commercially. REASON FOR CITATION * n-Nitrosonornicotine is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by IARC and EPA. * The chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a Carcinogen. 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 n- Nitrosonornicotine. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * n-Nitrosonornicotine 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. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to n- Nitrosonornicotine 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine: * n-Nitrosonornicotine can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. * Some related chemicals (Nitrosoamines) can cause headache, abdominal cramps, weakness and dizziness. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to n-Nitrosonornicotine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * n-Nitrosonornicotine may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause nose and throat, lungs and digestive tract cancer 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 * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, n-Nitrosonornicotine has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure may cause liver damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver and kidney function tests. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical test 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. 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 lace for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid n-Nitrosonornicotine from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * workers whose clothing has been contaminated by n- Nitrosonornicotine should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to n- Nitrosonornicotine. * 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted n- Nitrosonornicotine, whether or not know skin contact has occurred. * do not eat, smoke, or drink where n-Nitrosonornicotine 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine. 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to n-Nitrosonornicotine does not occur. * 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. Common Name: n-Nitrosonornicotine DOT Number : UN 1655 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 16543-55-8 ------------------------------------------ Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA Flammability Not Found Not Rated Reactivity Not Found Not Rated ------------------------------------------ CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. ------------------------------------------ Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * n-Nitrosonornicotine may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, C02, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides and Sulfur Oxides. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use water spray to reduce vapors. * If employees are expected to fight firs, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If n-Nitrosonornicotine is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill 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. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of n- Nitrosonornicotine 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. ========================================= HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with n-Nitrosonornicotine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Not Found Flash Point: Not Found Water Solubility: Not Found OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Nicotine, 1'Demethyl-l-nitroso-; Other Names and Formulations: 1-Dimethyl-l'-Nitrosonicotine; 1-Nitroso-1'Diemthylnicotine; 1- Nitroso-2 (3-Pyridyl) Pyrrolidine. ------------------------------------------ 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine is an n-nitrosamine chemical which, upon metabolic activation, has carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. It is known to occur in cigarette smoke. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, transport of certain pesticides or their breakdown products, or from sites of applications to lakes or streams. 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the acute, short-term effects of n-Nitrosonornicotine to aquatic life, 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. As a chemical which, upon metabolic activation, has carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, n-Nitrosonornicotine may cause chronic, long-term effects in birds or land animals exposed to it, if it is capable of metabolic activation in bird or animal bodies. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the chronic, long-term effects of n-NitrosonornicOtine to aquatic life or plants. WATER SOLUBILITY n-Nitrosonornicotine 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine is slightly persistent in water, with a half- life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. Virtually 100% of n-Nitrosonornicotine will end up in 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 n-Nitrosonornicotine found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of this chemical in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.