Common Name: Dichlorobromomethane CAS Number: 75-27-4 DOT Number: None DATE: December, 1989 ------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Dichlorobromomethane can effect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Dichlorobromomethane should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Higher levels can irritate the lungs and may cause you to become dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. Very high levels could cause death. * Repeated exposures amy affect the liver. * Contact can irritate the skin. IDENTIFICATION Dichlorobromomethane is a colorless liquid. It is used as a chemical intermediate, solvent, and fire extinguisher fluid ingredient. REASON FOR CITATION * Dichlorobromomethane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by EPA * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * 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 recognized occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS No occupational exposure limits have been established for Dichlorobromomethane. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Dichlorobromomethane can be absorbed through you skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * Dichlorobromomethane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact 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. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Dichlorobromomethane 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 Dichlorobromomethane is 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 Dichlorobromomethane: * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Higher levels can irritate the lungs and may cause you to become dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. Very high levels can cause 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 Dichlorobromomethane and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that Dichlorobromomethane causes cancer in animals. It may cause cancer of the lungs. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Dichlorobromomethane has not been tasted for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposures may damage the liver. * Dichlorobromomethane may cause changes in the kidneys and white blood cell count. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following is recommended: * Liver function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Kidney function tests. * White blood cell count. 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 pump liquid Dichlorobromomethane 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 Dichlorobromomethane should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Dichlorobromomethane. * 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 Dichlorobromomethane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Dichlorobromomethane, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Dichlorobromomethane 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 Dichlorobromomethane. 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 * 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Dichlorobromomethane does not occur. * At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplies-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: Dichlorobromomethane DOT Number : None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 10034-93-2 ------------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA Flammability 0 Not Rated Reactivity 0 Not Rated ------------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ------------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Dichlorobromomethane itself does not burn. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Bromide. * If employees are expected to fight firs, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Dichlorobromomethane is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up 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 Dichlorobromomethane 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 * Dichlorobromomethane is not compatible with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), STRONG BASES, and MAGNESIUM. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Prior to working with Dichlorobromomethane you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. FIRST AID 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 soap. 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 Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Methane, Bromodichloro- Other Names and Formulations: Bromodichloromethane. ------------------------------------------- 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 Dichlorobromomethane is a colorless liquid, which 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. Dichlorobromomethane has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Dichlorobromomethane 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. Dichlorobromomethane has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of Dichlorobromomethane to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Dichlorobromomethane 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 Dichlorobromomethane is non-persistent in water, with a half-life - due to volatilization - of less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 99.4% of Dichlorobromomethane will eventually end up in air; the rest will end up in the water. 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 Dichlorobromomethane found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of Dichlorobromomethane in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.