Common Name: Lead Arsenate CAS Number: 7784-40-9 DOT Number: UN 1617 Date: February 3, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Lead Arsenate enters the body by breathing, or from contaminated food, and beverages. * Lead Arsenate is a CARCINOGEN-- and may be a teratogen. HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Lead poisoning can cause poor appetite, colic, upset stomach, headaches, irritability, muscle or joint pains, weakness and kidney damage. * Exposure can also cause nose sores, skin rashes and nerve damage. * The OSHA Lead regulation (1910.1025) describes your rights. * Arsine, a very deadly gas, is released in the presence of acid or acid mist. IDENTIFICATION Lead Arsenate is a heavy white powder. It is used to make insecticides. REASON FOR CITATION * Lead Arsenate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, IARC, NTP, CAG, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN 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 0.05 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift measured as Lead. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.002 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded at any time. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.15 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * Lead Arsenate is 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 * A regulated, marked area should be established where Lead Arsenate is handled, used, or stored. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Lead Arsenate 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 Lead Arsenate 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 Lead Arsenate: * Persons developing Lead poisoning often feel well for weeks and sometimes several months. * Skin contact can cause burning, itching and rash. * Breathing Lead Arsenate can irritate the nose, throat and air passages. * Eye contact causes irritation. * High exposure can cause poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps. Heart effects with an abnormal EKG may also occur. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Lead Arsenate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Lead Arsenate is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause skin, lung and liver cancer. * 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 * While Lead Arsenate has not been identified as a teratogen or a reproductive hazard, Lead and certain Lead compounds have been determined to be teratogens and may also cause reproductive damage, such as reduced fertility and interference with menstrua l cycles. Lead Arsenate should therefore be handled with extreme caution. Other Long-Term Effects * Symptoms of Lead poisoning include poor appetite, upset stomach, colic, headaches, irritability and aching joints and muscles. Constipation, disturbed sleep and reduced memory also may occur. High exposure can cause brain damage. * Muscle weakness may be noticed, as in unscrewing jar lids, use of tools, etc. * Fatigue and anemia also occur. * Long-term or repeated high exposure can cause permanent kidney damage. * Repeated exposures can cause an ulcer in the inner nose. * Nerve damage, with "pins and needles", numbness and later weakness may result from high or repeated exposures. * Repeated skin contact can cause thickened skin, changes in skin pigment, or white lines on the nails. * Lead exposure increases risk of high blood pressure. * Repeated exposure causes Lead to accumulate in the body. It can take years for the body to get rid of excess Lead. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before first exposure and every 6 months thereafter, OSHA requires your employer to provide (for persons exposed to 30 micrograms of Lead or more per cubic meter of air): * Blood Lead test. * ZPP test (for Lead effects). Before first exposure, and yearly for exposed persons with blood Lead over 40 micrograms per 100 g of whole blood, OSHA also requires a complete medical history and exam with the above tests, and: * Hemoglobin, hematocrit with complete blood count. * Bun, creatinine, and urinalysis. OSHA requires your employer to send your doctor a copy of the Lead standard and provide one for you. * Also seek prompt medical evaluation if health effects are noticed. * With each visit, careful attention should also be given to the inner nose, skin, nails and nervous system. A test for urine Arsenic is recommended (levels may be somewhat increased within 2 days of eating fish or shellfish and are most accurate at the end of the workday of exposure). At NIOSH recommended exposures, urine Arsenic should not be greater than 50 to 100 micrograms per liter of urine. 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. You have a legal right to request copies of your medical testing under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures * Body exposures to Lead from hobbies using Lead solder or pigments, target practice and drinking moonshine made in Leaded containers will increase Lead levels, as will repeated breathing or handling of Leaded gasoline. * Lead Arsenate, in the presence of acid or acid mist, may release a VERY DEADLY GAS called Arsine. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * Many scientists believe that skin changes such as thickening and pigment changes make those skin areas more likely to develop skin cancer. 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 Lead Arsenate from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA: Lead standard 1910.1025 and Inorganic Arsenic standard 1910.1018. Refer to the NIOSH criteria documents: Inorganic Lead #78-158 and Inorganic Arsenic #75-149. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Lead Arsenate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Work clothing should be HEPA vacuumed before removal. * 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 Lead Arsenate. * On skin contact with Lead Arsenate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Lead Arsenate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a HEPA vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. 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 Lead Arsenate. Wear protective gloves full body work clothing and hat. 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. Work clothing should be HEPA vacuumed before removal. 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. * At any exposure level, 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Lead Arsenate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Lead Arsenate must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) and CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC) since violent reactions occur. Common Name: Lead Arsenate DOT Number: UN 1617 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 7784-40-9 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES AND FUMES IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES AND FUMES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Lead and Arsenic fumes. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Lead Arsenate is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Lead Arsenate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state 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 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. Antidotes and Special Procedures * Persons with significant Lead poisoning can be treated with Calcium EDTA while hospitalized. Since this drug causes a rush of Lead from body organs into the blood and kidneys and thus has its own hazards, it must be done by experienced medical persons under careful observation. It or other "chelating" drugs should NEVER be used to prevent poisoning while exposure continues, as severe kidney damage can result. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Arsenic Acid, Lead Salt Other Names and Formulations: Acid Lead Arsenite; Arsenate of Lead; Gypsine; Schultenite. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Lead and its compounds is one of the metals known since ancient times. It occurs widely in the earth's crust and can be dissolved from rocks and minerals into surface waters. Lead and its compounds have a variety of commercial and industrial uses, such as lead pipe, lead-lined containers for corrosive gases and liquids, tetraethyl lead, paint pigments, alloys in metallurgy, storage batteries, ceramics, electronic devices, and plastics. 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. Toxicity to aquatic life is affected by water hardness - the softer the water, the greater the toxicity. Lead and its compounds have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of lead and its compounds 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. Lead and its compounds have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Lead causes nerve and behavioral effects in humans and could cause similar long-term effects in birds and land animals exposed to lead and its compounds. WATER SOLUBILITY Lead and its compounds range in their respective water solubilities from highly soluble to practically insoluble. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Lead and its compounds are 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 lead and its compounds found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of lead in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.