Common Name: o-Phenylphenol CAS Number: 90-43-7 DOT Number: None Date: August, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * o-Phenylphenol can affect you when breathed in and may enter the body through the skin. * Eye contact can cause severe irritation with possible damage. * Skin contact can cause burns. * High or repeated overexposure may cause kidney damage. * Skin allergy, with rash and itching, sometimes develops. When this occurs, even low future exposure can trigger rash. IDENTIFICATION o-Phenylphenol is a white or buff colored solid in flaky crystal form (like powdered soap). It is used in making fungicides, dye stuffs and rubber chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * o-Phenylphenol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DEP and NFPA. 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 No occupational exposure limits have been established for o- Phenylphenol. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * It should be recognized that o-Phenylphenol may be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. 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 o-Phenylphenol 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 o-Phenylphenol 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-Phenylphenol: * Eye and skin contact can cause severe irritation and even burns. * High exposure may cause kidney damage. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to o-Phenylphenol and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, o-Phenylphenol has been tested and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, o-Phenylphenol has been tested and has not been shown to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * o-Phenylphenol may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * Repeated overexposure may cause kidney damage. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether o-Phenylphenol causes lung damage. 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. 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer o-Phenylphenol 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-Phenylphenol 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 o- Phenylphenol. * 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 o-Phenylphenol, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where o-Phenylphenol 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-Phenylphenol. 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 dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full face piece 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 o-Phenylphenol does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures to o-Phenylphenol, use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. Greater protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect o-Phenylphenol, 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 high 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 ap proved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: o-Phenylphenol DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: CAS Number: 90-43-7 --------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 1 REACTIVITY - 0 --------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE SOLID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * o-Phenylphenol is a combustible SOLID. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use alcohol foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If o-Phenylphenol is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of o-Phenylphenol 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-Phenylphenol you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from water. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where o-Phenylphenol 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. Seek medical attention promptly. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Medical attention is recommended for more than rather minor skin contact. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 255oF Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: l,l'-Biphenyl-2-ol Other Names and Formulations: 2-Hydroxydiphenyl; Orthoxenol; 2-Biphenylol; 2-Phenylphenol; Dowcide 1; Torsite; o-Xonal. ------------------------------------------ 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-Phenylphenol is a white solid chemical used as a dyestuff carrier for polyester fibers, as a disinfectant in soluble cutting oils, and as a preservative for cellulosic materials such as timber and paper. The sodium salt is used to control molds on fruits, for disinfecting buildings and refrigerated goods, and as a timber preservative. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, as run-off from treated areas, or from 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-Phenylphenol has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of o-Phenylphenol 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. o-Phenylphenol has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of o-Phenylphenol to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY o-Phenylphenol 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-Phenylphenol 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 72.5% of o-Phenylphenol will eventually end up in water; about 13.3% will end up in terrestrial soils; about 12.4% will end up in aquatic sediments; and 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 o-Phenylphenol found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of o- Phenylphenol in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.