Common Name: Acrylic Acid CAS Number: 79-10-7 DOT Number: UN 2218 Date: February, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Acrylic Acid can affect you when breathed in. * Acrylic Acid should be handled as a teratogen//with extreme caution. * Contact can cause severe skin burns. * Exposure may cause an allergy to develop. Even very small future exposures can cause a rash. * Acrylic Acid can cause severe eye burns leading to permanent damage. * Vapors may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * High and/or long-term exposure may damage the kidneys and lungs. * It is CORROSIVE, HIGHLY REACTIVE, and a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Acrylic Acid is a clear liquid with a sharp odor. It is used in the manufacture of plastic products, leather treatments, and paper coating. REASON FOR CITATION * Acrylic Acid is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, NFPA, DEP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is REACTIVE and CORROSIVE. 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 = Less than 1 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 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. (Final Rule January 1989). ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * Acrylic Acid may be a teratogen in humans. All contact with this chemical 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 Acrylic Acid and at the end of the workshift. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Acrylic Acid should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Acrylic Acid. * 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 Acrylic Acid, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Acrylic Acid, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Acrylic Acid 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 Acrylic Acid. Wear acid-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 gas-tight goggles if there is a possibility of exposure to Acrylic Acid vapor. 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 Acrylic Acid does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 10 ppm, use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/ canister. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Acrylic Acid, 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 higher 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Acrylic Acid you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Acrylic Acid is handled, used, or stored. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Acrylic Acid should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * If this material is stored at temperatures below 57oF (13.9oC), the explosion hazard is significantly reduced. * Acrylic Acid is a dangerous explosion hazard unless it is stored with an inhibitor (a chemical which stops an unwanted chemical reaction). Common Name: Acrylic Acid DOT Number: UN 2218 DOT Emergency Guide code: 29 CAS Number: 79-10-7 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 2 REACTIVITY - 2 ---------------------------------------- CORROSIVE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Acrylic Acid is a combustible liquid. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * If leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse the vapors. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Acrylic Acid is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * 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. * Keep Acrylic Acid out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Acrylic Acid 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. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention immediately. 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: 3.1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Flash Point: 130oF (54.4oC) Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 2-Propenoic Acid Other Names and Formulations: Acroleic Acid; Vinyl Formic Acid; Ethylenecarboxylic Acid. ------------------------------------------ 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 (609) 984-2202 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Acrylic acid is an organic acid which is made on a large scale. It serves as a building block for the synthesis of other chemicals. 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. Acrylic acid has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life and high toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of acrylic acid to plants 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. Acrylic acid has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of acrylic acid to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Acrylic acid 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 Acrylic acid 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 90% of acrylic acid will eventually end up in water; the rest will end up in the air. 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 acrylic acid found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of acrylic acid in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.