Common Name: 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine CAS Number: 91-94-1 DOT Number: None Date: May, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is a CARCINOGEN--HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine may cause a skin allergy. IDENTIFICATION 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is a gray to purple crystalline (sugar or sand-like) solid. It is used as an intermediate in making dyes and pigments, and as a curing agent for urethane foams. REASON FOR CITATION * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, IARC, NTP, DEP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN and a MUTAGEN. 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: 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is identified by OSHA as an occupational carcinogen. OSHA has not established a permissible exposure limit. ACGIH: An exposure limit has not been determined for this suspected carcinogen. It should be recognized that 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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. 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. * A regulated, marked area should be established where 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine is handled, used, or stored. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine: * No acute health effects are known at this time. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is a PROBABLE CARCINOGEN in humans. There is some evidence that it causes liver, breast, bladder, intestine, and skin cancer in humans. It has been shown to cause liver, breast, bladder, intestine and skin 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 * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine has caused cancer in the offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy. Other Long-Term Effects * 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. MEDICAL TESTING Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following are recommended: * Exam of the liver, breast, bladder, intestine and skin. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. 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 sub-stance 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 controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA standard: 29 CFR 1910.1007. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Special Occupational Hazard Review for Benzidine Based Dyes #80-109. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine. * On skin contact with 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. 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 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine. 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 * 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: 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 91-94-1 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Listed REACTIVITY Not Found Not Listed ----------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Chlorine, Nitrogen Oxides and Benzidine. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'- Dichlorobenzidine 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 contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,1'-Biphenyl-4,4'-Diamine, 3,3'-Dichloro- Other Names and Formulations: DCB; o,o'-Dichlorobenzidine; 3,3'-Dichloro-1,1'-Biphenyl-4,4'- Diamine. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is a white, crystalline solid 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. 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine 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. 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine 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 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine is moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 60% of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine will eventually end up in water; 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 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.