Common Name: o-Anisidine CAS Number: 90-04-0 DOT Number: UN 2431 Date: September 30, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * o-Anisidine can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * o-Anisidine is a CARCINOGEN--HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing a blue color to the skin, headaches and dizziness. Higher levels can cause trouble breathing and even death. * Repeated exposures can cause a low blood count. * o-Anisidine can cause a skin allergy to develop. IDENTIFICATION o-Anisidine is a colorless to pink liquid with an amine odor. It is used to manufacture azo dyes. REASON FOR CITATION * o-Anisidine is on the RTK Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NTP, 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 OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * o-Anisidine is a PROBABLE 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. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. 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. * 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 o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine: * o-Anisidine can affect the ability of the blood to carry oxygen (a condition called methemoglobinemia). This can cause a bluish color of the skin, headaches and dizziness. Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, and even death. * Contact can irritate the skin, causing a rash or a burning feeling. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to o-Anisidine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * o-Anisidine is a PROBABLE CARCINOGEN in humans. A related substance, o-Anisidine Hydrochloride , has been shown to cause cancer of the bladder, kidney and thyroid in animals. In the absence of human data, NTP regards o-Anisidine as if it presents a carcinogenic risk to humans. * 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 * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, o-Anisidine has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * o-Anisidine may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * Repeated exposure can cause a low blood count. * o-Anisidine may cause damage to the nerves. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. * Blood methemoglobin. * Complete blood count and reticulocyte count. * Consider nerve conduction studies. 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 o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to o-Anisidine. * On skin contact with o-Anisidine, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted o-Anisidine at the end of each workday, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine. 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 * 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. Common Name: o-Anisidine DOT Number: UN 2431 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 90-04-0 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * o-Anisidine is a combustiblE liquid. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Oxides of Nitrogen. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * o-Anisidine must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, PERCHLORATES, and NITRATES) since violent reactions occur. * A regulated, marked area should be established where o- Anisidine 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. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention. Overexposure from Breathing or Skin Contact * 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: 0.1 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 244oF Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 2-Methoxy-Benzenamine Other Names and Formulations: o-Aminoanisole; 2-Anisidine; 2-Methoxy-1-aminobenzene. ------------------------------------------ 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 o-Anisidine is a yellowish liquid which becomes brownish with exposure to air. It is used to make azo dyes. 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. o-Anisidine has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life and moderate-to-high acute toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of o- Anisidine 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. o-Anisidine has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of o-Anisidine to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY o-Anisidine 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 o-Anisidine 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 97% of o-Anisidine will eventually end up in water; about 2.8% will end up in air; and the rest will be divided about equally between terrestrial soils 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 o-Anisidine found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of o-Anisidine in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.