Common Name: Hexachlorobutadiene CAS Number: 87-68-3 DOT Number: UN 2279 Date: October 30, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Hexachlorobutadiene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Hexachlorobutadiene should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * It may damage the developing fetus. * Exposure can cause severe kidney damage. * Contact can irritate and burn the eyes and skin. * Hexachlorobutadiene may damage the liver. IDENTIFICATION Hexachlorobutadiene is a clear liquid with a faint turpentine odor. It is used as a solvent and a heat transfer fluid. REASON FOR CITATION * Hexachlorobutadiene is on the RTK Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, IARC, CAG, DOT and NFPA. * 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 ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.02 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * The above exposure limit is for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limit listed above. * Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene: * Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. * Exposure to high levels can damage the kidneys. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Hexachlorobutadiene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Hexachlorobutadiene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause kidney 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 * Hexachlorobutadiene may damage the developing fetus. Other Long-Term Effects * Exposure can damage the kidneys. * Hexachlorobutadiene may damage the liver, especially at higher exposures. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Kidney function tests. * Liver function tests. 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. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure Because more than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, drinking alcohol may increase the liver damage caused by Hexachlorobutadiene. 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene. * 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 Hexachlorobutadiene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene. Wear solvent- 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 and face shield when working with liquid Hexachlorobutadiene, 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 0.02 ppm, 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.02 ppm, 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. Common Name: Hexachlorobutadiene DOT Number: UN 2279 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 87-68-3 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 1 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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. * 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 Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Hexachlorobutadiene is handled, used, or stored. 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 area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If Symptoms Develop * 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: 0.3 mm Hg at 77oC Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,3-Butadiene, 1,1,2,3,4,4, Hexachloro- Other Names and Formulations: HCBD; Perchlorobutadiene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Hexachlorobutadiene is produced deliberately as a by-product of the manufacture of other chlorinated chemicals. It is used as a solvent for many other organic chemicals, as an intermediate to make rubber compounds and lubricants. The largest user of Hexachlorobutadiene is the chlorine production industry. Hexachlorobutadiene may enter the environment mostly during the disposal of wastes containing Hexachlorobutadiene from the chlorinated hydrocarbon industries. 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. Hexachlorobutadiene has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Hexachlorobutadiene 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. Hexachlorobutadiene has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of Hexachlorobutadiene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Hexachlorobutadiene 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 Hexachlorobutadiene is non-persistent in water, with a half-life of less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 98.6% of Hexachlorobutadiene will eventually end up in air; about 0.4% will end up in water, and about 0.5%, respectively, will end up in terrestrial soil and aquatic sediments. 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 Hexachlorobutadiene found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of Hexachlorobutadiene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA, Phytotox.