Common Name: Benzidine CAS Number: 92-87-5 DOT Number: UN 1885 Date: July 31, 1986 ------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * Benzidine can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Benzidine is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. It causes bladder cancer in humans. * Benzidine may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. It may also cause a skin allergy. IDENTIFICATION Benzidine is a white, grayish yellow, or slightly reddish, crystal (sand or sugar like) solid or powder. It is used in making dye stuffs. REASON FOR CITATION * Benzidine is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and is cited by IARC and NTP. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT and a MUTAGEN. * 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 exposure limits have been established for this substance. However, a full OSHA Standard (1910.1010) has been set for Benzidine. * Benzidine is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * It should also be remembered that Benzidine is 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 Benzidine and on each exit from the regulated area. * 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 Benzidine 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 Benzidine: * Benzidine can irritate the skin, causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. * Exposure to Benzidine can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Benzidine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Benzidine is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans. It has been shown to cause bladder cancer. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. 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, Benzidine has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Benzidine may cause a skin allergy. If an allergy develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and skin rash. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following is recommended: * Urine cytology (a test for abnormal cells in the urine). 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. 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 controls are recommended: * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA standard 1910. 1010, Benzidine. * Benzidine should be handled in an enclosed system. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * A regulated area should be established where Benzidine is manufactured, used, or stored. * When vacuuming the solid, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Benzidine 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 Benzidine. * On skin contact with Benzidine, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. Wash any areas of the body that may have had contact with this chemical on each exit from the regulated area. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Benzidine 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 Benzidine. 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 face piece, hood, or helmet operated 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: Benzidine DOT Number: UN 1885 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 92-87-5 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- CANCER CAUSING AGENT POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Benzidine itself does not burn. * 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 Benzidine if spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean up is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Benzidine 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 Benzidine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Benzidine should be handled and stored only in a regulated area as required by the OSHA Standard 1910.1010. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION 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 soap and water. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,1'-Biphenyl-4,4'-Diamine Other Names and Formulations: 4,4'-Diaminobipheny1; p-Diaminodiphenyl; 4,4'-Biphenyldiamine. ----------------------------------------- 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 Benzidine is a manufactured chemical used to make dyes and as a chemical reagent in analytical chemistry. Benzidine readily forms salts of various elements in water. It enters the environment in manufacturing effluents. 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. Benzidine and its salts have moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of benzidine and its salts on 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. Benzidine and its salts have moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of benzidine and its salts on plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Benzidine and its salts are 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 Benzidine is highly persistent in water, with a half-life of greater than 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 99.3% of benzidine will eventually end up in water; 0.3% will end up in terrestrial soil and aquatic sediments, respectively. 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 benzidine found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of benzidine in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.