Common Name: Safrole CAS Number: 94-59-7 DOT Number: UN 1851 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Safrole can affect you when breathed in. * Safrole is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure may affect the nervous system causing excitement, drowsiness, passing out, and rapid heart beat. * Repeated exposure could cause liver damage. IDENTIFICATION Safrole is a colorless to pale yellow, oily or crystalline powder. It is used to make perfumery and soaps, certain medicines, and as a topical antiseptic. REASON FOR CITATION * Safrole is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, NFPA, NTP, DEP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * 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 Safrole. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * Safrole may be a 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. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Safrole 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 Safrole 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 Safrole: * Exposure may affect the nervous system, causing rapid heart beat (tachycardia), drowsiness, excitement and even unconsciousness (passing out). Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Safrole and can last for months or years: * Safrole may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver cancer in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Reproductive Hazard * There is evidence in pregnant animals that Safrole crosses the placenta. It is found in both maternal and fetal tissues. A carcinogen that crosses the placenta has the potential for causing damage to the fetus. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure could cause liver damage. * Long term effects on the nervous system are unknown. MEDICAL Medical Testing 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Safrole 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 Safrole 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 Safrole. * On skin contact with Safrole, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Safrole, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Safrole is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * For crystalline Safrole, use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. 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 Safrole. 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Safrole does not occur. * 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: Safrole DOT Number: UN 1851 DOT Emergency Guide code: 11 CAS Number: 94-59-7 ---------------------------------------- NFPA Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Safrole is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * 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 Safrole 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 liquid 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 and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Safrole 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 Safrole you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * 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. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with 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: 1 mm Hg at 145.8oF (63.8oC) Flash Point: 208oF (97.8oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,3 Benzodioxole, 5 (2 Propenyl) Other Names and Formulations: 1,2 Methylenedioxy 4 Allylbenzene; 4 Ally procatecol; Rhyuno; Safrene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Safrole is a colorless or slightly yellow liquid with an odor of sassafras. It is used to make perfumes, soaps, and heliotropin. 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. Safrole has moderate acute toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of safrole to aquatic life, plants, 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 safrole to aquatic life, plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Safrole 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 Safrole is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life 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 61.7% of safrole will eventually end up in air; about 35.7% will 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 safrole found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of safrole in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.