Common Name: Cumene Hydroperoxide CAS Number: 80-15-9 DOT Number: UN 2116 Date: January 13, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Cumene Hydroperoxide can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Cumene Hydroperoxide may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * Skin or eye contact can cause severe irritation and even burns, especially with prolonged contact. * Breathing exposure irritates the nose, mouth and lungs. Symptoms may include nosebleeds, sore throat, hoarseness, cough with phlegm, increased saliva, and shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can cause death. * Other exposure symptoms may include headache, dizziness, poor coordination and even passing out. * High or repeated overexposure may damage lungs, kidneys and liver. * Cumene Hydroperoxide is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Cumene Hydroperoxide is a colorless to pale yellow liquid. It is used to make other chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Cumene Hydroperoxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, DEP, EPA and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is REACTIVE HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substance 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 No occupational exposure limits have been established for Cumene Hydroperoxide. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Cumene Hydroperoxide can be absorbed through skin, thereby increasing exposure. * Cumene Hydroperoxide may cause mutations. 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide: * Cumene Hydroperoxide can irritate the skin causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. Prolonged contact can cause burns. * Cumene Hydroperoxide can cause severe eye burns leading to permanent damage. * Breathing exposure can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms may include nosebleeds, sore throat, hoarseness, cough and phlegm, increased saliva, and shortness of breath. Higher levels or more prolonged exposure can cause a dangerous fluid build-up in the lungs ( pulmonary edema), a medical emergency which can lead to death. * Other exposure symptoms may include headache, dizziness, poor coordination and even passing out. * High or repeated overexposure to Cumene can damage the bone marrow, causing reduced white blood cells (reduced resistance to infection), blood platelets (bleeding tendency) and red blood cells (anemia). It is not known whether Cumene Hydroperoxide al so has these effects. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Cumene Hydroperoxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Cumene Hydroperoxide may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Cumene Hydroperoxide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure may lead to permanent lung damage (emphysema) and may damage the liver and kidneys. * Cumene Hydroperoxide may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following also may be useful: * Consider chest x-ray after acute over-exposure. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. * Tests for kidney and liver function. * Complete blood 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. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. 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 pump liquid Cumene Hydroperoxide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Cumene Hydroperoxide may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Cumene Hydroperoxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Cumene Hydroperoxide. * 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Cumene Hydroperoxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide. 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 splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Cumene Hydroperoxide, 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Cumene Hydroperoxide does not occur. * Where the potential for exposures to Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Cumene Hydroperoxide must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) and ORGANIC MATERIALS, REDUCING AGENTS, COPPER, COPPER or LEAD ALLOYS, COBALT and MINERAL ACIDS since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Cumene Hydroperoxide is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Common Name: Cumene Hydroperoxide DOT Number: UN 2116 DOT Emergency Guide code: 51 CAS Number: 80-15-9 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 2 REACTIVITY 4 ------------------------------------------ POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ------------------------------------------ Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Cumene Hydroperoxide is a combustible liquid. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Phenol. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Cumene Hydroperoxide vapor may form explosive mixtures with air. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide 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 Cumene Hydroperoxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact 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. Seek medical attention immediately. 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. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.24 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 175oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Hydroperoxide, 1-Methyl-1-Phenylethyl- Other Names and Formulations: Alpha, alpha-Dimethyl-benzylhydroperoxide; Cumyl Hydroperoxide; Hyperiz; Trigorox K 80. ------------------------------------------ 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 Cumene hydroperoxide is formed by the oxidation of cumene in a basic medium. Cumene hydroperoxide is used to make phenol and acetone by cleavage upon acidification. 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. Cumene hydroperoxide has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of cumene hydroperoxide 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. Cumene hydroperoxide has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of cumene hydroperoxide to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Insufficient data are available on the properties of cumene hydroperoxide to estimate or predict its water solubility. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Insufficient data are available on the properties of cumene hydroperoxide to estimate its distribution in the environment. Limited data suggest that cumene hydroperoxide will be moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of between 20 to 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. Insufficient data are available on the properties of cumene hydroperoxide to predict its bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.