Common Name: Terephthalic Acid CAS Number: 100-21-0 DOT Number: None Date: May, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Terephthalic Acid can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. * Contact can irritate the skin. * Repeated exposure may affect the kidneys. IDENTIFICATION Terephthalic Acid is a white, crystalline (sand like) material or powder.It is used in the production of polyester resins, fibers, and films, as poultry feed additive, and as a chemical reagent. REASON FOR CITATION * Terephthalic Acid is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by EPA and NFPA. * Definitions are attached. 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 Terephthalic Acid. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. 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 Terephthalic Acid. * 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 Terephthalic Acid 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 Terephthalic Acid: * Exposure to Terephthalic Acid can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * Breathing Terephthalic Acid can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. * Terephthalic Acid can irritate the skin causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Terephthalic Acid and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Terephthalic Acid has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Terephthalic Acid has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure may affect the kidneys. There is some evidence that Terephthalic Acid may increase the likelihood of kidney stones. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are recommended: * Kidney function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. 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 transfer Terephthalic Acid 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 Terephthalic Acid should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Terephthalic Acid. * On skin contact with Terephthalic Acid, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Terephthalic Acid is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. 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 Terephthalic Acid. 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 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 Terephthalic Acid does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Terephthalic Acid use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full face respirator equipped with particulate (dust/ fume/ mist) filters. More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half mask respirator, and even greater 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 Terephthalic Acid, 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 approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Terephthalic Acid DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 100-21-0 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 1 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Terephthalic Acid may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. Water or foam may cause frothing, use with care. * 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 Terephthalic Acid is spilled take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Terephthalic Acid as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Terephthalic Acid you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Terephthalic Acid is not compatible with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE). * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.5 mm Hg at 248oF (120oC) Flash Point: 500oF (260oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,4 Benzenedicarboxylic Acid Other Names and Formulations: Benzene para Dicarboxylic Acid; p-Phthalic Acid. ------------------------------------------ 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 Terephthalic acid is a crystalline solid used to form polyesters with glycols, which are made into plastic films and sheets. It is also used in analytical chemistry. 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. Terephthalic acid has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of terephthalic acid 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. Terephthalic acid has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of terephthalic acid to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Terephthalic acid 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 Terephthalic acid 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 93% of terephthalic acid will eventually end up in water; about 6% 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 terephthalic acid found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of terephthalic acid in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.