Common Name: Heptachlor CAS Number: 76-44-8 DOT Number: NA 2761 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Heptachlor can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Heptachlor should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure causes a feeling of anxiety, irritability, headache, dizziness, muscle twitching. Higher levels cause tremor fits (seizures), passing out and even death. * High or repeated exposures may damage the liver or kidneys. IDENTIFICATION Pure Heptachlor is a white sand like material with a camphor like odor. Technical Heptachlor is a light tan, soft, waxy solid. It is used as an insecticide. REASON FOR CITATION * Heptachlor is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, DEP, and 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 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 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. * Heptachlor 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. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Heptachlor 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 Heptachlor 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 Heptachlor: * Exposure may cause a feeling of nervousness or anxiety, headache, dizziness, weakness, a feeling of "pins and needles" on the skin, lips or tongue and muscle twitching. Higher levels also cause shakes (tremor) and convulsions (fits or seizures), passing out and even death. * High exposures may damage the liver or kidneys. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Heptachlor and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Heptachlor may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver cancer in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Heptachlor may damage the developing fetus. Other Long Term Effects * Heptachlor may damage the liver and kidneys. * Some persons with high or repeated exposures have headaches, personality changes (being irritable, moody), and/or other brain effects (poor memory, concentration) lasting many months after last exposure. Some brain effects could be permanent in more severe cases. MEDICAL TESTING If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Tests for liver and kidney function. * Evaluation for brain effects (neuropsychiatric testing may detect chronic effects if suspected). 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 controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Heptachlor from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Manufacture and Formulation of Pesticides #78 174. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Heptachlor should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Heptachlor. * On skin contact with Heptachlor, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Heptachlor, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Heptachlor is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. 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 Heptachlor. 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 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 100 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 100 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. Common Name: Heptachlor DOT Number: NA 2761 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 76-44-8 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE CARCINOGEN ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Heptachlor is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Heptachlor 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 * Prior to working with Heptachlor you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. Protect storage containers from physical damage. 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 contaminated skin with large amounts of 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 Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 4,7 Methano 1H Indene, 1,4,5,6,7,8,8 Heptachloro 3a,4,7,7a Tetrahydro Other Names and Formulations: 3-Chlorochlordene; Rhodiachlor. ---------------------------------------- Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ---------------------------------------- NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Heptachlor is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide that has been widely used in the past for insect control on crops. It was used for control of fire ants and cotton boll weevils, among other pests; but is now restricted to use through subsurface ground insertion for termite control and the dipping of roots or tops of non-food plants. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, agricultural run-off, 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. Heptachlor has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused various injuries to agricultural crops and ornamental tree and shrub species. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of heptachlor to 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. Heptachlor has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of heptachlor to birds or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Heptachlor is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Heptachlor is highly persistent in water, with a half-life of 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. About 44.5% of heptachlor will eventually end up in terrestrial soils; about 41.5% will end up in aquatic sediments; and 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 heptachlor found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of heptachlor in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA, Phytotox.