Common Name: Osmium Tetroxide CAS Number: 20816-12-0 DOT Number: UN 2471 Date: November, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Osmium Tetroxide can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Contact can cause severe skin and eye burns, with ulcers and even blindness. * The vapors irritate the nose, throat and lungs, causing wheezing, cough, tightness in the chest, sore throat, and hoarseness. Higher levels or further exposure can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. * The vapor irritates the eyes, causing blurred vision and halos seen around lights. * Effects could occur below the legal exposure limit. IDENTIFICATION Osmium Tetroxide is a colorless to pale yellow solid with a strong, unpleasant odor. It is used as a catalyst in chemical reactions, in photography, and in microscopic tissue staining. REASON FOR CITATION * Osmium Tetroxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT 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 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 0.002 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.002 mg/m3 measured as Osmium averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 0.006 mg/m3 measured as Osmium as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * 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. * Health effects can occur below the legal 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 Osmium Tetroxide 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 Osmium Tetroxide 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 Osmium Tetroxide: * Contact can cause burns and a green to black stain on the skin. Lighter exposures cause rash. * Eye contact can cause burns with damage to vision. * The vapor irritates the nose, throat and lungs, causing hoarseness, nose bleeds, cough, tightness in the chest, and sore throat. If exposure persists or exposure is to higher levels, a dangerous buildup of fluid can occur in the lungs, a medical emergency. * The vapor irritate the eyes, causing redness and swelling of the eye tissue. Vision changes include seeing halos or colored rings around lights, blurred vision, scratchy, painful eyes. * Other symptoms of exposure can include headache and stomach upset. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Osmium Tetroxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Osmium Tetroxide 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, Osmium Tetroxide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Osmium Tetroxide causes lung damage. * High or repeated exposure could damage the kidneys and possibly the bone marrow. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. * Complete eye exam. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may also be useful: * Complete urine test (urine analysis). * 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Osmium Tetroxide 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 Osmium Tetroxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Osmium Tetroxide. * 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 Osmium Tetroxide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the work shift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Osmium Tetroxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Osmium Tetroxide 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 cleanup. 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 Osmium Tetroxide. 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 * Wear dustproof 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 OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Osmium Tetroxide does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Osmium Tetroxide, 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. * Exposure to 1 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 1 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. Common Name: Osmium Tetroxide DOT Number: UN 2471 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 20816-12-0 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Osmium Tetroxide may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Osmium fumes or oxides. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Osmium Tetroxide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup 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 Osmium Tetroxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Osmium Tetroxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Osmium Tetroxide is not compatible with Hydrochloric Acid and easily oxidized organic materials. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. 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. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 7 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Osmium Oxide Other Names and Formulations: Osmic Acid. ------------------------------------------ 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 Osmium tetroxide is a pale yellow crystalline solid with a poisonous vapor which may cause serious damage to the eyes, lungs, and skin. It is used as an oxidizing agent, particularly for converting olefins to glycols, and as a catalyst in chlorate, peroxide, periodate and other oxidations. It may enter the environment from 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the acute, short-term effects of osmium tetroxide to aquatic life or plants. Birds or land animals exposed to osmium tetroxide vapors may suffer severe damage to eyes, lungs, and skin. 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the chronic, long-term effects of osmium tetroxide to aquatic life, plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Osmium tetroxide 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 Osmium tetroxide is quite soluble in water. It is an oxidizing agent and is readily reduced by organic matter. Consequently, it is not likely to be highly persistent as Osmium tetroxide. Some of the Osmium compounds formed may be persistent. 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. Osmium tetroxide probably will not accumulate in aquatic organisms or in aquatic ecosystems, but Osmium might accumulate in both. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.