Common Name: Octachloronaphthalene CAS Number: 2234-13-1 DOT Number: None Date: July 31, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Octachloronaphthalene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Overexposure may damage the liver enough to cause death, either from high short-term or repeated lower exposure. * Repeated exposure can cause an acne-like skin rash (Chloracne). IDENTIFICATION Octachloronaphthalene is a waxy yellow solid with a pleasant odor. It is used in cable insulation, other protective coatings, and lubricants. REASON FOR CITATION * Octachloronaphthalene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH. 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 work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 0.3 mg/m3 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. 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 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 Octachloronaphthalene 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 Octachloronaphthalene: * Overexposure may damage the liver enough to cause death. This can cause symptoms of fatigue, poor appetite, dark urine and jaundice. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Octachloronaphthalene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Octachloronaphthalene 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, Octachloronaphthalene has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Octachloronaphthalene may damage the liver. Symptoms are often absent until damage is severe. * High or repeated lower exposure may cause an acne-like skin rash which can persist long after exposure stops. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following is recommended: * Liver function tests. 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 more than light alcohol consumption may cause liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused by Octachloronaphthalene. 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 molten Octachloronaphthalene 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 Octachloronaphthalene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Octachloronaphthalene. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Octachloronaphthalene at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Octachloronaphthalene 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 Octachloro-naphthalene. 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 splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with molten Octachloronaphthalene, 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 0.1 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 pressure mode. * Exposure to 200 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 200 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: Octachloronaphthalene DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 2234-13-1 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GAS PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Octachloronaphthalene is a non-combustible solid. * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Octachloronaphthalene itself does not burn. * 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 * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Ventilate area of spill. * Collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers for reclamation or for disposal in an approved facility. * Octachloronaphthalene may be disposed of in a secured sanitary land fill. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Octachloronaphthalene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state 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 Octachloronaphthalene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Octachloronaphthalene must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, or CHLORINE DIOXIDE) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from HEAT. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Less than 1 mm Hg at 68oF Water Solubility: Insoluble Other Names and Formulations: Halowax 1051; 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octachloronaphthalene; Perchloronaphtalene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Octachloronaphthalene is a waxy solid at room temperature. Chlorinated naphthalenes as a group exhibit a high degree of chemical and thermal stability, and are resistant to most acids and bases. These properties have resulted in their use as oil additives, capacitor fluids and cable insulation by power companies, and in the electroplating and fabric-dyeing industries. Octachloronaphthalene may enter the environment from leaching from discarded capacitors or other products containing the chemical, or from 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. Octachloronaphthalene has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of this chemical 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. Octachloronaphthalene has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of this chemical to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Octachloronaphthalene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1 milligram or less will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Octachloronaphthalene 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 degraded. About 51.7% of Octachloronaphthalene will eventually end up in terrestrial soils; about 48.2% will end up in aquatic sediments; the rest will end up in suspended solids. 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 Octachloronaphthalene found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of Octachloronaphthalene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S.EPA.