Common Name: Di-n-Butyl Phthalate CAS Number: 84-74-2 DOT Number: NA 9095 Date: February, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate can affect you when breathed in. * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate may damage the developing fetus and may also damage the testes (male reproductive glands). * Contact may irritate the eyes and skin. * Exposure may irritate the nose and throat. IDENTIFICATION Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is a colorless, oily liquid. It is often used as a plasticizer in the manufacturing of flexible plastic, a lacquer solvent, and an insect repellent. REASON FOR CITATION * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, DEP and EPA. 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 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate: * Contact can irritate the skin, and the eyes. * Exposure to the vapor or aerosol can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Di-n-Butyl Phthalate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Di-n-Butyl Phthalate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate may damage the developing fetus in humans since it has been shown to be fetotoxic in animals. * It may also damage the testes (male reproductive glands). Other Long-Term Effects * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate has not been tested for other chronic (long-term) health effects. Medical Testing There is no special test for this chemical. However, if illness occurs or overexposure is suspected, medical attention is recommended. 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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 clothing has been contaminated by Di-n-Butyl Phthalate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Di-n- Butyl Phthalate. * On skin contact with Di-n-Butyl Phthalate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Di-n-Butyl Phthalate,whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate. 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. * ACGIH recommends Butyl Rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile Rubber, and Viton as good to excellent protective materials. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Di-n-Butyl Phthalate, 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Di-n-Butyl Phthalate, use a MSHA/ NIOSH full facepiece approved respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. More protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Di-n-Butyl Phthalate, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the e 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 exists for average exposures over 5mg/m3, 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. * Exposure to 9,300 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 9,300 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: Di-n-Butyl Phthalate DOT Number: NA 9095 DOT Emergency Guide code: 31 CAS Number: 84-74-2 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 1 Not Rated REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- 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 * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is a combustible liquid. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup 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. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Di-n-Butyl Phthalate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your 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. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Di-n-Butyl Phthalate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Di-n-Butyl Phthalate must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, and CHLORINE DIOXIDE); STRONG ALKALIS (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE and LITHIUM HYDROXIDE); and STRONG ACIDS (such as SULFURIC ACID, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, and NITRIC ACID) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from HEAT. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash area with large amounts of water. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Less than 0.01 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Flash Point: 315oF (157.2oC) Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid, Di-Butyl Ester Other Names and Formulations: n-Butylphthalate; DBP; Di-ButylPhthalate. ------------------------------------------ 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is one of several phthalic acid esters produced commercially. The major use for this phthalic acid ester is as an insect repellant for the impregnation of clothing. Di-n- Butyl Phthalate enters the environment from industrial discharges and in non-point discharges from the wide and general use of this chemical. 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. Di-n-Butyl Phthalate has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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. Di-n-Butyl Phthalate has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Di-n-Butyl Phthalate to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Di-n-Butyl Phthalate is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1 milligram or less will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Di-n-Butyl Phthalate 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 33% of Di-n-Butyl Phthalate will eventually end up in terrestrial soil; about 31% will end up in aquatic sediments; about 26% will end up in the air; about 8% will end up in 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 Di-n-Butyl Phthalate found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of Di-n- Butyl Phthalate in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA, Phytotox.