Common Name: Carbonyl Sulfide CAS Number: 463-58-1 DOT Number: UN 2204 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Carbonyl Sulfide can affect you when breathed in and may be absorbed through the skin. * Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate or even burn the skin and eyes. * Breathing Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing cough and sneezing. * High exposure causes nausea, vomiting, weakness and muscle cramps. It may causes the heart to beat faster (ta chycardia) or irregular (arrhythmia). * High or repeated exposure may affect the nervous system, causing headache, dizziness and confusion with memory problems. Higher concentrations can cause unconsciousness, convulsions, coma, sudden collapse and even death. * Carbonyl Sulfide may damage the liver. IDENTIFICATION Carbonyl Sulfide is a colorless gas or a cold liquid. It is used to make other chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Carbonyl Sulfide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, NFPA 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 No occupational exposure limits have been established for Carbonyl Sulfide. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * It should be recognized that Carbonyl Sulfide can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your expo sure. 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 Carbonyl Sulfide 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 Carbonyl Sulfide 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 Carbonyl Sulfide: * Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate or even burn the skin and eyes. Contact with the liquified gas could cause frost bite. * Breathing Carbonyl Sulfide can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs causing cough and sneezing. * High exposure causes salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, weakness, and muscle cramps. It may cause the heart to beat fast (tachycardia) or irregularly (arrhythmia). Headache, dizziness, confusion, passing out and even death can occur. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Carbonyl Sulfide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Carbonyl Sulfide 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, Carbonyl Sulfide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure may cause brain damage. Effects could include reduced memory, inability to concentrate and/or personality changes (e.g., irritability). * Carbonyl Sulfide may damage the liver. * Repeated exposure may increase blood cholesterol and increase risk of cholesterol and fatty deposits in blood vessels ("hardening of the arteries"). MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are recommended: * Interview for brain effects, including recent memory, mood (irritability, withdrawal), concentration, headaches, malaise and altered sleep patterns. Consider cerebellar, autonomic and peripheral nervous system evaluation. Positive and borderline individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing. * Test for blood cholesterol. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Test for liver function. * Complete nervous system evaluation. 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. 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 transfer Carbonyl Sulfide from cylinders 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 Carbonyl Sulfide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Carbonyl Sulfide. * 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 Carbonyl Sulfide, 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 Carbonyl Sulfide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Carbonyl Sulfide 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 Carbonyl Sulfide. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * Where exposure to cold equipment, vapors, or liquid may occur, employees should be provided with special clothing designed to prevent the freezing of body tissues. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear gas proof goggles and face shield, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. * Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid, 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 Carbonyl Sulfide does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Carbonyl Sulfide, 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 Carbonyl Sulfide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Carbonyl Sulfide must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) and STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur. Common Name: Carbonyl Sulfide DOT Number: UN 2204 DOT Emergency Guide code: 18 CAS Number: 463-58-1 ---------------------------------------- NFPA Hazard Rating FLAMMABILITY 4 REACTIVITY 1 ---------------------------------------- FLAMMABLE GAS OR LIQUID 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 * Carbonyl Sulfide is a FLAMMABLE GAS or LIQUID. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Hydrogen Sulfide gas. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Carbonyl Sulfide is leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of leak to disperse the gas. * Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place in the open air, and repair leak or allow cylinder to empty. * Keep Carbonyl Sulfide 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 Carbonyl Sulfide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== 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. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. * Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of 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. Effects may be delayed; overexposed persons should be observed medically for at least 24 hours. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Carbon Oxide Sulfide Other Names and Formulations: Carbon Monoxide Monosulfide; SCO; Carbon Oxysulfide. ------------------------------------------ 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 Carbonyl sulfide is a gas, used to make carbonate chemicals which are used in many organic syntheses such as the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, solvents, agricultural chemicals, dyestuffs, and optical safety eyewear. 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 short- term, acute effects of carbonyl sulfide 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term, chronic effects of carbonyl sulfide to aquatic life, plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Carbonyl sulfide 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 Carbonyl sulfide 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. Carbonyl sulfide is very volatile and reacts slowly with water to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Due to its volatility, most carbonyl sulfide will escape to 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 carbonyl sulfide found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of carbonyl sulfide in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.