Common Name: tert-Butyl Alcohol CAS Number: 75-65-0 DOT Number: UN 1120 Date: November, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * tert-Butyl Alcohol can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness. Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat may occur. * Repeated skin exposure can cause drying and cracking of the skin. * tert-Butyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE SOLID or LIQUID and a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION tert-Butyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid or solid with a mothball like odor. It is used in the manufacture of flavors and perfumes, as a solvent for pharmaceuticals and as a paint remover. REASON FOR CITATION * tert-Butyl Alcohol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NFPA and EPA. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. 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. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 10 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 100 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 100 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 150 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol: * Exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness. * The liquid may irritate the skin with contact. The vapor can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to tert-Butyl Alcohol and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, tert-Butyl Alcohol 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, tert-Butyl Alcohol has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated skin exposure to tert-Butyl Alcohol may cause drying and cracking of the skin. * This chemical has not been adequately evaluated to determine whether brain or other nerve damage could occur with repeated exposure. However, many solvents and other petroleum based chemicals have been shown to cause such damage. Effects may include reduced memory and concentration, personality changes withdrawal, irritability), fatigue, sleep disturbances, reduced coordination, and/or effects on nerves supplying internal organs (autonomic nerves) and/or nerves to the arms and legs (weakness, "pins and needles"). MEDICAL TESTING Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following is recommended: * Interview for brain effects, including recent memory, mood (irritability, withdrawal), concentration, headaches, malaise and altered sleep patterns.Consider cerebellar, autonomic and peripheral nervous system evaluation. Positive and borderline individuals should be referred for neuropsychological testing. 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol 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 work clothing has been contaminated by tert- Butyl Alcohol should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to tert- Butyl Alcohol. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted tert-Butyl Alcohol at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where tert-Butyl Alcohol 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol.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. Eye Protection * Wear splash proof chemical goggles when working with liquid, unless full face piece respiratory protection is worn. * 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 over 100 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half mask respirator, and even 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol, 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 8,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 8,000 ppm 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 tert-Butyl Alcohol you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * tert-Butyl Alcohol must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG HYDROCHLORIC ACID since violent reactions occur. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where tert-Butyl Alcohol is used, handled, or stored. * Metal containers used in the transfer of 5 gallons or more of tert-Butyl Alcohol should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of tert-Butyl Alcohol. Common Name: tert-Butyl Alcohol DOT Number: UN 1120 DOT Emergency Guide code: 26 CAS Number: 75-65-0 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 3 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- FLAMMABLE GAS ON CONTACT WITH ACID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * tert-Butyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE SOLID or LIQUID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Contact with strong mineral acids may form a FLAMMABLE gas, which may cause a fire or explosion. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If tert-Butyl Alcohol is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. Vapor build up may cause suffocation. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep tert-Butyl Alcohol out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the buildup of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of tert-Butyl Alcohol 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 * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 31 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Flash Point: 52oF (11.1oC) Water Solubility: Miscible OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 2 Propanol, 2 Methyl Other Names and Formulations: 1,1-Dimethylethanol; Trimethylcarbinol; t Butanol. ------------------------------------------ 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 tert-Butyl alcohol is a clear, colorless liquid. It is used to make other chemicals and as an important raw material to prepare artificial musk in synthetic perfumes. It 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. tert-Butyl alcohol has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of tert-butyl alcohol 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. tert-Butyl alcohol has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of tert-butyl alcohol to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY tert-Butyl alcohol 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 tert-Butyl alcohol 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 72.7% of tert-butyl alcohol 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 tert-butyl alcohol found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of tert-butyl alcohol in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.