Common Name: n-Nitrosodiethylamine CAS Number: 55-18-5 DOT Number: None Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * n-Nitrosodiethylamine can affect you when breathed in. * n-Nitrosodiethylamine should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * n-Nitrosodiethylamine can may cause reproductive damage. Handle with extreme caution. * n-Nitrosodiethylamine can irritate the skin, nose, throat and lungs. * Breathing n-Nitrosodiethylamine may cause headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. * Repeated exposure may cause liver damage. IDENTIFICATION n-Nitrosodiethylamine is a pale yellow, oily liquid. It is used as a research chemical, antioxidant, stabilizer, and gasoline and lubricant additive. REASON FOR CITATION * n-Nitrosodiethylamine is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by NTP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * 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 n- Nitrosodiethylamine. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * n-Nitrosodiethylamine 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- Nitrosodiethylamine 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-Nitrosodiethylamine 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-Nitrosodiethylamine: * n-Nitrosodiethylamine can irritate the skin, nose, throat, and lungs. * Breathing n-Nitrosodiethylamine may cause headache, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to n-Nitrosodiethylamine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * n-Nitrosodiethylamine may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver, kidney, upper digestive tract and lung cancers in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is evidence that n-Nitroso diethylamine damages the fetus in animals. 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 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 can cause liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused by n- Nitrosodiethylamine. 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 n- Nitrosodiethylamine 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 n- Nitrosodiethylamine 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- Nitrosodiethylamine. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with n-Nitrosodiethylamine, 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- Nitrosodiethylamine, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where n-Nitrosodiethylamine 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-Nitrosodiethylamine. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment sup pliers/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-Nitrosodiethylamine 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 cause a MSHA/NI0SH approved self contained breathing aparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: n-Nitrosodiethylamine DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 55-18-5 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CARCINOGEN ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * n-Nitrosodiethylamine is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * 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 n-Nitrosodiethylamine is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate 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- Nitrosodiethylamine 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 n-Nitrosodiethylamine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where n-Nitrosodiethylamine is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION 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 water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Ethanamine, N Ethyl N Nitroso Other Names and Formulations: Diethylnitrosoamine; Nitrosodiethylamine; NDEA. ------------------------------------------ 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-Nitrosodiethylamine is a yellowish liquid used as an additive in gasoline and lubricants, an antioxidant, and a stabilizer. It is a synthetic chemical which 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. n-Nitrosodiethylamine has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused root size decrease and sterility increase in the plant Arabidopsis. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of n-Nitrosodiethylamine to 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. n-Nitrosodiethylamine has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of n-Nitrosodiethylamine to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY n-Nitrosodiethylamine 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-Nitrosodiethylamine 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 98% of n-Nitrosodiethylamine will eventually end up in water; the rest will end up in 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 n-Nitrosodiethylamine found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of n- Nitrosodiethylamine in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA., Phytotox.