Common Name: Methylene Bromide CAS Number: 74-95-3 DOT Number: UN 2664 Date: January 31, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Methylene Bromide can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. High levels can cause death. * Methylene Bromide can cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop. This can cause death. * Repeated exposure may damage the liver and kidneys. * Contact can irritate the eyes and skin. IDENTIFICATION Methylene Bromide is a colorless liquid. It is used as a solvent and to make other chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Methylene Bromide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT. * 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 Methylene Bromide. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. 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 Methylene Bromide. * 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 Methylene Bromide to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information for workers, employers and community residents. Health professionals may also find it useful. If this substance is part of a mixture, this Fact Sheet should be used along with the manufacturer supplied Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Methylene Bromide: * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. High levels can cause death. * Methylene Bromide can cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop, which could lead to sudden death. * Contact can irritate the eyes and skin. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Methylene Bromide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Methylene Bromide 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, Methylene Bromide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated skin contact can cause dryness, itching and irritation. * Repeated exposure may damage the liver and/or the kidneys. * Repeated high exposure can cause both Bromine and Carbon Monoxide to buildup in the body. MEDICAL TESTING If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver and kidney function tests. * Serum Bromine level. * Carboxyhemoglobin level. * Holter monitor (a special 24 hour EKG to look for irregular heart beat). 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. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Methylene Bromide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Methylene Bromide. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Methylene Bromide at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Methylene Bromide 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 Methylene Bromide. 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. 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 Methylene Bromide does not occur. * Where the potential for exposure to Methylene Bromide 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: Methylene Bromide DOT Number: UN 2664 DOT Emergency Guide code: 74 CAS Number: 74-95-3 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Methylene Bromide may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Bromine and Bromides. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Cool fire exposed containers with water until well after fire is out. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Methylene Bromide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Methylene Bromide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your local fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Methylene Bromide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed container in a well, ventilated area away from potential high heat sources. 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 * 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: 48 mm Hg at 72oF Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Methane, Dibromo Other Name and Formulations: Methylenedibromide. ------------------------------------------ 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 Methylene Bromide is a clear, colorless liquid used in the synthesis of other compounds, as a solvent, and in gauge fluids. It is highly soluble in water, and may enter the aquatic environment via effluents from chemical plants where it is manufactured or used, and 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. Methylene Bromide is considered to have slight acute toxicity to aquatic life. 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. Methylene Bromide is considered to have slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT The chemical properties of Methylene Bromide indicate that, after a sufficient amount of time, it will tend to be distributed in the environment as follows: air, 95.94%; soil, 0.01%; water, 4.04%; suspended solids, <0.01%; aquatic biota, <0.01%; sediment, 0.01%. Methylene Bromide will probably be slightly persistent in aquatic ecosystems. 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 Methylene Bromide in edible tissues of most aquatic species that are consumed by humans will probably be about the same as the average concentration that was present in the water in which the organisms had been living. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA. SARA 313