Common Name: Manganese Nitrate CAS Number: 10377-66-9 DOT Number: UN 2724 Date: January, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Manganese Nitrate can affect you when breathed in. * Eye or skin contact can cause irritation or burns. * The dust or mist can irritate the nose, throat and bronchial tubes, with cough and phlegm. Higher levels may irritate the lungs and could lead to a fluid build-up in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. * Repeated exposure to Manganese can cause serious brain damage. IDENTIFICATION Manganese Nitrate is a colorless or pink solid in crystal form. It is used as a color agent in porcelain and ceramic manufacture, as a catalyst, and in the production of Manganese Dioxide. REASON FOR CITATION * Manganese Nitrate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH and DOT. 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 5 mg/m3 for Manganese and compounds measured as Manganese, not to be exceeded at any time. (Final Rule, January 1989). ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 for dust and compounds and measured as Manganese, which should not be exceeded at any time. 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 Manganese Nitrate. * 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 Magnesium Nitrate 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 Magnesium Nitrate: * Skin or eye contact with the dust or concentrated liquid can cause irritation or even burns. * Breathing exposure can irritate the nose (with dryness, nose bleeds), throat and bronchial tubes (with cough and phlegm). Higher exposures could lead to a dangerous build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. * Overexposures can lead to a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen to body organs (methemoglobinemia). This can cause the skin or lips to turn blue. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Magnesium Nitrate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Manganese Nitrate 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, Manganese Nitrate has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated overexposure may cause gradual brain damage from Manganese. Early effects include sleepiness, weakness and poor appetite. If exposure is stopped at this stage, damage may be temporary. Later effects include changes in speech, a loss of facial expression, personality changes, poor muscle coordination, changes in walking, muscle cramps, twitching and tremors. When later changes occur, some permanent brain damage can result resembling Parkinson's disease. * High or repeated exposures may damage the lungs, cause changes in the blood count and damage the kidneys or liver. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Complete exam of the nervous system. * Complete blood count. * Lung function and kidney function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. * 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 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 transfer Manganese Nitrate 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 Manganese Nitrate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Manganese Nitrate. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * On skin contact with Manganese Nitrate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Manganese Nitrate 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 Manganese Nitrate. 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. Greater protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Manganese Nitrate, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for high exposures exists, 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 ap proved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Manganese Nitrate DOT Number: UN 2724 DOT Emergency Guide code: 35 CAS Number: 10377-66-9 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Rated may burn --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Manganese Nitrate may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Manganese Nitrate is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Manganese Nitrate 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 Magnesium Nitrate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your 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 Magnesium Nitrate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Manganese Nitrate must be stored to avoid contact with ORGANIC MATERIALS since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. 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 immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and 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. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Highly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Nitric Acid, Manganese (2+) Salt Other Names and Formulations: Manganous Nitrate. ------------------------------------------ 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 (609) 984-2202 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Manganese is a gray, hard, brittle metal which is used mainly as an alloying element and cleansing agent for steel, cast iron, and nonferrous metals. Manganese is essential to the steel industry where it is used in the form of an iron alloy. It occurs in many minerals that are widely distributed in the earth's crust and, in trace amounts, is an essential element for both plants and animals. The many different possible manganese compounds may enter the aquatic environment from natural and industrial sources. 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. Manganese and its compounds have moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of manganese and its compounds 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. Manganese and its compounds have moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of manganese and its compounds to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Manganese and its compounds vary in their solubility in water from being very soluble to insoluble. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Manganese and its compounds are highly persistent in water, with half-lives greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. 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 manganese and its compounds found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of manganese in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.