Common Name: Antimony CAS Number: 7440-36-0 DOT Number: UN 2871 Date: August 1, 1987 ------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * Antimony can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Very high levels could cause Antimony poisoning, with symptoms of nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, trouble breathing and death. * Repeated exposure can cause an abnormal chest x ray to develop and can also damage the heart and liver. * Prolonged or repeated contact can cause skin, nose and mouth ulcers or sores. * If used near acid, a deadly gas can be formed. IDENTIFICATION Antimony is a silvery or gray, shiny metal or yellow crystal. It is used to make metal alloys, enamels, rubber compounds and matches. REASON FOR CITATION * Antimony is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and DEP. * 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 These exposure limits are recommended for Antimony and compounds (and measured as Stibine). OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over a 10 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. 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 Antimony 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 Antimony 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 Antimony: * Exposure can cause metallic taste, nausea, sore throat and irritation of the air passages. Higher levels can cause congestion of the lungs and may make the heart beat irregularly or stop. * Skin contact causes irritation. Repeated or prolonged contact causes an itchy rash. * Eye contact causes irritation. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Antimony and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Antimony has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Antimony may decrease fertility in females. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause headaches, poor appetite, dry throat and loss of sleep. Damage to the liver and heart muscle, with abnormal EKG, may also occur, especially with higher or frequent exposures. * Years after first exposure, changes can occur on chest x ray. At this time these are not thought to be harmful but more research is needed. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following is recommended: * Urine test for Antimony (and for Arsenic if Arsenic contamination is suspected). If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * EKG. * Liver function tests. * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. 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 * Commercial Antimony is often contaminated with Arsenic, a toxic chemical and carcinogen. * Use of Antimony near acid or acid mist can cause release of a deadly gas, Stibine. 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: * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Antimony #78 216. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Antimony should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Antimony. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Antimony, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Antimony, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Antimony 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 Antimony. 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 dust proof 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 0.5 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 Antimony, 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. * Exposure to 80 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 80 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Antimony you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Antimony must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) HALOGENS (such as CHLORINE and BROMINE), BROMINE TRIFLUORIDE, CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE, CHLORIC ACID, CHLORINE MONOXIDE, BROMOAZIDE and NITRIC ACID since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from HEAT and ACIDS. Contact with acids will produce the deadly gas Stibine. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Antimony is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Common Name: Antimony DOT Number: UN 2871 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 7440-36-0 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE SOLID DO NOT USE WATER POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Antimony is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. * Use dry chemicals appropriate for extinguishing metal fires. DO NOT USE WATER. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Antimony Oxide and Stibine. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Antimony is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Antimony 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. Skin Contact * Promptly remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with 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 for one or two days is recommended with overexposure, as lung or heart effects may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Antimony Other Names and Formulations: Stibium. ------------------------------------------ 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 Antimony is an element which occurs naturally in the environment as a component of certain minerals. As antimony oxide, it is added to various materials as a flame retardant. Antimony may occur in the aquatic environment from natural weathering of mineral formations, from mining and manufacturing effluents, and from municipal wastes. 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. Antimony has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of antimony 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. Antimony has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of antimony to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Antimony and its salts have solubilities in water ranging from low to high. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Antimony is highly persistent in water with a half-life of longer 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 antimony found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of antimony in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.