Common Name: 4-Nitrobiphenyl CAS Number: 92-93-3 DOT Number: None Date: March, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * 4-Nitrobiphenyl can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * 4-Nitrobiphenyl is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Other health effects are not well known at this time, but other Biphenyls have caused irritation of the skin and eyes on contact and may cause liver and nerve damage. IDENTIFICATION 4-Nitrobiphenyl is a white to yellow crystal (sand like) solid with a sweet odor. It is used in making plastics and fungicides, and in wood preservatives. REASON FOR CITATION * 4-Nitrobiphenyl is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NFPA, IARC and EPA. * 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 OSHA: Because 4-Nitrobiphenyl is a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans, OSHA determines that there is no safe exposure level. There is a full OSHA standard 1910.1003 for this substance. ACGIH: An exposure limit has not been determined for this CARCINOGEN. * 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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. * When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Establish a regulated area where 4-Nitrobiphenyl is manufactured or used, as required in OSHA standard 1910.1003. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl: * Contact may irritate the eyes and skin. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 4-Nitrobiphenyl and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * It is not possible to separate the exposures to 4- Nitrobiphenyl from the exposures to 4-Aminobiphenyl, which is known to cause cancer of the bladder in humans. 4- Nitrobiphenyl should be treated as a CANCER CAUSING AGENT in humans and has been shown to cause cancer of the bladder in humans. * Many scientists believe that 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, 4-Nitrobiphenyl has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Exposure may damage the liver. * Some related compounds have caused damage to the nerves of the arms and legs. MEDICAL TESTING Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following is recommended: * Urinary cytology (a special test for abnormal cells in the urine). If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver 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. 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: * A regulated, marked area should be established where 4- Nitrobiphenyl is handled, used, or stored. * Where possible, automatically transfer liquid 4-Nitrobiphenyl from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA standard 1910.1003 4-Nitrobiphenyl. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 4- Nitrobiphenyl 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 4- Nitrobiphenyl. * On skin contact with 4-Nitrobiphenyl immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 4- Nitrobiphenyl at the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 4-Nitrobiphenyl is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for clean up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. * 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl. 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 with the required 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to 4-Nitrobiphenyl does not occur. * At any exposure level, use an 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 an MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: 4-Nitrobiphenyl DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 92-93-3 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 1 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- CANCER CAUSING AGENT ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * 4-Nitrobiphenyl is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. It will burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If 4-Nitrobiphenyl is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete and the area decontaminated. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Handle and store 4-Nitrobiphenyl in a regulated area as required in the OSHA standard 1910.1003. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT and FLAME. 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. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 290oF (143.3oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1 1' Biphenyl, 4 Nitro Other Names and Formulations: p-Nitrodiphenyl; 1-Nitro-4-Phenylbenzene; Biphenyl; 4- Nitrodiphenyl; Biphenyl, 4-Nitro. ------------------------------------------ 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl is a crystalline solid used in the preparation of other organic substances. It may enter the aquatic 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. 2-Nitrobiphenyl has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of 2-nitrobiphenyl 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. 4-Nitrobiphenyl has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of 4-nitrobiphenyl to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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 4-Nitrobiphenyl 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 52.3% of 4-nitrobiphenyl will eventually end up in water; about 24.6% will end up in terrestrial soils; about 23% 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 4-nitrobiphenyl found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of 4-nitrobiphenyl in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.