Common Name: Urethane CAS Number: 51-79-6 DOT Number: None Date: January, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Urethane can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Urethane is a CARCINOGEN and may be a TERATOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Very high exposures may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. * Very high or repeated exposures can damage the liver, brain and blood forming organs. IDENTIFICATION Urethane is a colorless, odorless crystalline material or white powder. It is used as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals, pesticides and in biochemical research and medicine. REASON FOR CITATION * Urethane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by NTP, DEP, CAG and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN, a MUTAGEN and a TERATOGEN. * 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 workrelated 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 Urethane. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Urethane can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * Urethane is a PROBABLE 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. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Urethane is handled, used, or stored. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Urethane 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 Urethane 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 Urethane: * Very high levels may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. * Exposure to very high levels can damage the brain and liver. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Urethane and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Urethane is a PROBABLE CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause lung, stomach and other cancers 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 * Urethane may be a TERATOGEN in humans since it has been shown to be a teratogen in animals. * Urethane has caused CANCER in the offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure can damage the blood forming organs (bone marrow suppression). * Urethane can damage the liver and central nervous system. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are recommended: * Liver function tests. * Complete blood count. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Exam of the nervous system. 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 can cause liver damage, drinking alcohol can increase the liver damage caused by Urethane. 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 Urethane 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 Urethane should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Urethane. * On skin contact with Urethane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Urethane, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Urethane 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. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. 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 Urethane. 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 Urethane 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Urethane you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Urethane must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC), STRONG BASES, CAMPHOR, MENTHOL, SALOL or THYMOL since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Urethane is handled, used, or stored. Common Name: Urethane DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 51-79-6 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Urethane is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Urethane is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Urethane as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Pro gram 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. If Symptoms Develop * 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 Vapor Pressure: 10 mm Hg at 77.8oF (25oC) Flash Point: 198oF (92.2oC) Water Solubility: Soluble CHEMICAL NAME Carbamic Acid, Ethyl Ester. ------------------------------------------ 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 Urethane is a granular solid used to make other chemicals, including pesticides and fumigants, and to dissolve other chemicals. 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. Urethane has slight acute toxicity to fish, birds, and land animals. It causes damage to plants, including death of buds. 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. Urethane has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of urethane to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Urethane 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 Urethane 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. About 24% of urethane will eventually end up in air; 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 urethane found in fish tissues is expected to be the same as the average concentration of urethane in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.