Common Name: Hexamethyl Phosphoramide (HEMPA) CAS Number: 680-31-9 DOT Number: None Date: November 3, 1986 ------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * Exposure may irritate and damage the nose, throat and lungs causing a nasal discharge and lung changes. * Repeated exposure may severely damage the kidneys. IDENTIFICATION Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is a colorless liquid. It is used as a solvent and in research laboratories. REASON FOR CITATION * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DEP and NIOSH. * 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 ACGIH: An exposure limit has not been established for this suspected carcinogen. * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * Skin absorption is also a route of exposure for Hexamethyl Phosphoramide. Therefore, all work should be carefully controlled to eliminate the possibilities for skin contact. 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide: * Exposure can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. * Very high levels may cause kidney and lung damage. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Hexamethyl Phosphoramide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study and, in fact, there is limited evidence that Hexamethyl Phosphoramide causes cancer in animals. It may cause cancer of the nose. * 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 * There is limited evidence that Hexamethyl Phosphoramide may damage the testes (reproductive glands) of males and affect sperm production. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposures may severely damage the kidneys and lungs. * Exposure may damage the nose, causing chronic nasal discharge. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (or significant skin contact), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Exam of the nose. * Lung function tests. * Kidney 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. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure 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 pump liquid Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide. * 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Hexamethyl Phosphoramide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide. Wear solvent resistant 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. * 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGA NATES, CHLORATES, and NITRATES); STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC, and NITRIC) and CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, MAGNESIUM, and ZINC) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from area. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is handled, used, or stored. Common Name: Hexamethyl Phosphoramide (HEMPA) DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 680-31-9 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * Use dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean up is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention. If Symptoms Develop From Large Overexposure * 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: 0.07 mm Hg at 77oF Flash Point: 222oF Water Solubility: Miscible OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Hexamethyl Phosphoric Triamide Other Names and Formulations: HEMPA; Tri (Dimethylamino) Phosphineoxide; HMPA; ENT 50882; Hexametapol. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Hexamethyl Phosphoramide is a solvent widely used to make other compounds. 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. Hexamethyl Phosphoramide has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life. This chemical has high acute toxicity to redwing blackbirds, but only moderate-to-slight acute toxicity to coturnix quail. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Hexamethyl Phosphoramide to plants 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. Hexamethyl Phosphoramide has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of Hexamethyl Phosphoramide to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 99.8% of Hexamethyl Phosphoramide 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 Hexamethyl Phosphoramide found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of Hexamethyl Phosphoramide in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.