Common Name: Benzoyl Peroxide CAS Number: 94-36-0 DOT Number: UN 2085 Date: May, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Benzoyl Peroxide can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * Contact can cause a skin allergy. This can cause itching and a rash. * Solid Benzoyl Peroxide is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a DANGEROUS FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD. * It may EXPLODE at higher temperatures or from impact, shock, or friction. * It should be HANDLED WITH EXTREME CAUTION. It should not be allowed to come into contact with COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS like wood or paper. IDENTIFICATION Benzoyl Peroxide is an odorless white or colorless crystalline powder, or may be in liquid solutions. It is used in making plastics, rubber, inks, pharmaceuticals and skin creams. REASON FOR CITATION * Benzoyl Peroxide is on the Workplace Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, EPA and NFPA. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE. * 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: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over a 10 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over a 8 hour workshift. 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 Benzoyl Peroxide 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 Benzoyl Peroxide 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 Benzoyl Peroxide: * Exposure can irritate the skin, nose, throat and air passages. * Eye contact causes irritation and possible damage. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Benzoyl Peroxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Benzoyl Peroxide 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, Benzoyl Peroxide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Benzoyl Peroxide can cause a skin allergy. If an allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * Very irritating substance may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Benzoyl Peroxide causes lung damage. 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. If symptoms develop or overexposure has occurred, the following may be useful: * Skin testing with dilute Benzoyl Peroxide may help diagnose allergy, if done by a qualified allergist. 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: * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document on Benzoyl Peroxide # 77 166. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Benzoyl Peroxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Benzoyl Peroxide. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Benzoyl Peroxide 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. 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 Benzoyl Peroxide. Wear solvent resistant gloves and clothing. Safety Fire resistant gloves and clothing treated with a chemical to reduce static electricity should be provided and worn when using solid Benzoyl Peroxide. Contact 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 splash proof chemical goggles when working with the liquid and dust proof goggles when working with powders or dusts unless full facepiece 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator with a dust and mist filter containing non oxidizable sorbents to prevent fires and explosions. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Benzoyl Peroxide, 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 higher 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 an MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 1000 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 1000 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Benzoyl Peroxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Benzoyl Peroxide must be stored to avoid contact with COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES, such as WOOD and PAPER, LITHIUM ALUMINUM HYDRIDE, DIMETHYL ANILINE, AMINES, METALLIC NAPHTHENATES, or ALCOHOLS, since violent reactions occur. * Containers of Benzoyl Peroxide should be protected form impacts, blows, shocks or friction since EXPLOSIONS may occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Benzoyl Peroxide is handled, used, or stored. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Benzoyl Peroxide. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Benzoyl Peroxide should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Wherever Benzoyl Peroxide is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Benzoyl Peroxide DOT Number: UN 2085 DOT Emergency Guide code: 49 CAS Number: 94-36-0 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NFPA FLAMMABILITY 4 REACTIVITY 4 ------------------------------------------ HIGHLY FLAMMABLE HIGHLY REACTIVE AND EXPLOSIVE POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Benzoyl Peroxide is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. At higher temperatures, it may explode. * USE WATER ONLY. DO NOT use chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Benzoyl Peroxide may explode if subjected to impact, blows, shock, or friction. It may attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings and produce fires or explosions. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Benzoyl Peroxide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient manner using wet methods and deposit in sealed containers. * DO NOT use spark generating materials or materials made of paper or wood for sweeping or handling spilled Benzoyl Peroxide. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Benzoyl Peroxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your State Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== 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 * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Peroxide, Dibenzoyl Other Names and Formulations: Benzoyl Superoxide; Benzoperoxide. ------------------------------------------ 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 Benzoyl Peroxide is a crystalline solid produced in large volumes. It serves the chemical industry in the initiation of free-radical reactions in the formation of plastic and resin polymers. It is also used to bleach flour and oils. Benzoyl Peroxide 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the acute, short-term effects of benzoyl Peroxide to aquatic life, 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. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the chronic, long-term effects of benzoyl Peroxide to aquatic life, plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Benzoyl Peroxide 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 Benzoyl Peroxide will react rapidly with water and therefore will not accumulate in aquatic organisms or the environment. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.