Common Name: Barium CAS Number: 7440-39-3 DOT Number: UN 1400 Non-Powder/UN 1854 Powder Date: January, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Barium can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * Repeated high exposures can irritate the lungs, causing cough and phlegm, and may cause an abnormal chest x-ray. * Very high exposures (such as swallowing or extremely high dust exposure) can cause Barium poisoning with symptoms of vomiting, and diarrhea, irregular heart beat, paralysis, and death. IDENTIFICATION Barium is a silver white or yellowish metal powder. It is used in spark plugs, engine rod bearings and to remove gas from vacuum tubes. REASON FOR CITATION * Barium is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and EPA. 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 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. 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 at the end of the work-shift. * 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 Barium 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 Barium: * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and may cause coughing. * Contact may damage the eyes. * Very high exposures could cause Barium poisoning with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, paralysis, and death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Barium and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Barium 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, Barium has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause an abnormal chest x-ray. This usually takes years to develop. An abnormal chest x-ray from Barium does not mean the lung has been damaged but very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Barium causes lung damage. 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: * Lung 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. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Barium powder should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Barium powder. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Barium at the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Barium is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. 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 Barium. 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 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures to Barium Dust, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator equipped with particulate (dust/fume/mist) filters. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Barium, 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. * Exposure to 250 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 250 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 Barium you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Explosion risk varies with type of Barium compound. * Barium must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC, and NITRIC) and HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS since violent reactions occur. * Store Barium powder in sealed containers under an inert gas or oxygen-free petroleum liquid away from water, oxidizers, acids or ammonia. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Barium powder is handled, used, or stored. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Barium powder. Common Name: Barium DOT Number: UN 1400 Non Powder/UN 1854 Powder DOT Emergency Guide code: 40/37 CAS Number: 7440-39-3 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 3 Not Rated REACTIVITY 2 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- DO NOT USE WATER POWDER MAY IGNITE SPONTANEOUSLY IN AIR POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Barium POWDER is a flammable solid. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED. * Powder may ignite spontaneously in air. * Use dry chemicals appropriate for extinguishing metal fires. * Do not use water. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Barium is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Do not use water. * Keep Barium 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 Barium 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. ========================================== FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 10 mm Hg at 1922oF (1050oC) Flash Point: Barium powder may ignite at room temperature Water Solubility: Insoluble (decomposes) CHEMICAL NAME Barium ------------------------------------------ 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 Barium is a yellowish-white solid which exists in a variety of salt forms. Barium and its salts have a wide variety of applications, including uses in nuclear reactors, electronic tubes, as additives in lubricating oils, in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and explosives, in tanning and finishing leathers, as a mordant for fabrics and dyes, in electroplating, aluminum refining, and rubber manufacture; and in the production of paints and enamels. Barium may enter the environment from industrial and municipal waste treatment plant 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. Barium and its salts have moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of barium or its salts 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. Barium and its salts have moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of barium or its salts to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Most of the barium salts are either highly or moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of 1 to 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Barium is highly persistent in water, with a half-life 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 barium found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.