Common Name: 4-Nitrophenol CAS Number: 100-02-7 DOT Number: UN 1663 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * 4-Nitrophenol can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * 4-Nitrophenol may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * High exposure can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen (a condition called methemoglobinemia) causing a blue color to the skin and lips. Headache, stomach upset, fatigue, restlessness, fever and/or rapid heartbeat can also occur. Brain or heart effects could occur from reduced oxygen levels. * 4-Nitrophenol can irritate the skin, throat, and lower airways. IDENTIFICATION 4-Nitrophenol is a colorless to slightly yellow, crystalline (sand like) material. It is used to make other chemicals and as a fungicide. REASON FOR CITATION * 4-Nitrophenol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, DEP, EPA and NFPA. * 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 4- Nitrophenol. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * It should be recognized that 4-Nitrophenol can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * 4-Nitrophenol may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical 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 4- Nitrophenol 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 4-Nitrophenol 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 4-Nitrophenol: * Higher skin or breathing exposures can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen (a condition called methemoglobinemia) causing a blue color to the skin and lips. This could lead to heart and brain damage. Other symptoms may include headache, upset stomach, dizziness, weakness, confusion, sweating, thirst, rapid heart beat, ringing in the ears, and/or fever. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 4-Nitrophenol and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * 4-Nitrophenol may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or re productive hazard needs further study. * 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 * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, 4-Nitrophenol has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * A related chemical (Dinitrocresol) can cause cataracts with repeated exposure. 4-Nitrophenol did not cause cataracts in animals (using chickens), but if vision changes are suspected, a prompt medical evaluation is recommended. MEDICAL Medical Testing Consider exams every 6 12 months, especially with repeated exposure, to include: * Urine exam for red blood cells. * Urine exam for abnormal cells (cytology). * Positive tests may indicate need for an exam of the bladder lining (cystoscopy). 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 4-Nitrophenol 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 4- Nitrophenol should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to 4- Nitrophenol. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with 4-Nitrophenol, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 4-Nitrophenol, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 4-Nitrophenol 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. 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 4-Nitrophenol. 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. * Manufacturers recommend Butyl rubber as a protective material. Eye Protection * Wear dust proof goggles when working with powders or dust, unless full face piece 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 4-Nitrophenol does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures to 4- Nitrophenol, 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 4- Nitrophenol, 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 approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: 4-Nitrophenol DOT Number: UN 1663 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 100-02-7 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * 4-Nitrophenol may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers, although solid streams of water may be ineffective. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use water spray to keep fire exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If 4-Nitrophenol is spilled take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or until cleanup is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of 4- Nitrophenol 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 4-Nitrophenol you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * 4-Nitrophenol is not compatible with COMBUSTIBLES, STRONG BASES, and STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. 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 * 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. Do not give Atropine. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Phenol, 4-Nitro Other Names and Formulations: p Nitrophenol; Niphen; Paranitrophenol; PNP. ------------------------------------------ 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 4-Nitrophenol is a colorless to slightly yellow crystalline solid. It is mainly used to make the insecticide ethyl parathion and methyl parathion. Lesser quantities are used to make dye-stuffs and leather treatments; and in the synthesis of other chemicals. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, or as a breakdown product of pesticides used on crops. 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. 4-Nitrophenol has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. 4- Nitrophenol has caused chromosomal damage and germination decrease in various agricultural crops. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of 4-Nitrophenol 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. 4-Nitrophenol has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of 4-Nitrophenol to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY 4-Nitrophenol is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT 4-Nitrophenol 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 98.6% of 4-Nitrophenol will eventually end up in water; about 0.5%, respectively, will end up in terrestrial soils and in aquatic sediments; 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 4-Nitrophenol found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of 4- Nitrophenol in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA, Phytotox.