Common Name: Pseudocumene CAS Number: 95-63-6 DOT Number: None Date: May, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Pseudocumene can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass out. * Repeated exposures can cause headaches, tiredness, and a feeling of nervous tension. * Pseudocumene can affect the blood cells and the blood's clotting ability. * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. * Exposure can cause bronchitis with cough and shortness of breath. IDENTIFICATION Pseudocumene is a colorless liquid with a peculiar odor. It is used in making chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Pseudocumene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH 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 air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. 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. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.55 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 25 ppm averaged over an 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 Pseudocumene 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 Trimethyl Benzene to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information for workers, employers, and community residents. Health professionals may also find it useful. If this substance is part of a mixture, this Fact Sheet should be used along with the manufacturer supplied Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Pseudocumene: * Exposure can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out. * Repeated exposure can cause you to have a headache, to feel nervous and tense, and to feel tired and sleepy. * Pseudocumene can cause bronchitis, with cough and shortness of breath. * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Pseudocumene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Pseudocumene 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, Pseudocumene has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Exposure can cause changes in blood cells and affect the blood's clotting ability. * Pseudocumene may affect the liver. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Pseudocumene causes lung damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. * Complete blood count and platelet count. 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. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. 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 pump liquid Pseudocumene 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 Pseudocumene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * On skin contact with Pseudocumene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the work shift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Pseudocumene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Pseudocumene 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 Pseudocumene. 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 * Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid, 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 25 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than by a half mask respirator, and even greater protection is provided by a powered air purifying respirator. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Pseudocumene, or in the case of a full face piece 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 high 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 a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Pseudocumene DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: 26 CAS Number: 95-63-6 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 2 Not Rated REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Pseudocumene is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Pseudocumene 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. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Pseudocumene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Pseudocumene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Pseudocumene must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES), and STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur. 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 Flash Point: 112 120oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Pseudocumene is a liquid which occurs in coal-tars and petroleum. It is used to make dyes, perfumes, and resins, and to sterilize catgut. It may enter the environment from industrial or municipal 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. Pseudocumene has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Pseudocumene 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. Pseudocumene has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of Pseudocumene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Pseudocumene 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 Pseudocumene is non-persistent in water, with a half-life of less than 2 days, due to volatilization. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 99.7% of Pseudocumene will eventually end up in air; the rest will be divided about equally among, water, 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 Pseudocumene found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of Pseudocumene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA, Phytotox.