Common Name: Vinyl Acetate CAS Number: 108-05-4 DOT Number: UN 1301 Date: October 30, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Vinyl Acetate can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. * Very high levels can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. * Contact can irritate the eyes and skin. Prolonged contact can blister and burn the skin. * Vinyl Acetate can damage the lungs. * Vinyl Acetate is a FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE chemical and is a FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Vinyl Acetate is a colorless liquid with sharp sweet odor. It is used in making polyvinyl resins. REASON FOR CITATION * Vinyl Acetate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, DOT, NFPA and other authorities. * This chemical is 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 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 = 0.50 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 NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 4 ppm, which should not be exceeded during any 15 minute work period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 20 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). 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 Vinyl Acetate. * 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 Vinyl Acetate 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 Vinyl Acetate: * Exposure can cause sore throat, cough, and irritation of the eyes and nose. * Contact can irritate and burn the skin with blistering. * Very high levels can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Vinyl Acetate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that Vinyl Acetate causes cancer in animals. It may cause thyroid and uterus cancer. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Vinyl Acetate has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Vinyl Acetate may cause lung damage. * Repeated contact can cause drying and cracking of the skin. * Vinyl Acetate may affect the heart, nervous system and liver. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following is recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver function tests. * Exam of the nervous system. 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 controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Vinyl Acetate from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Vinyl Acetate #78 205. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Vinyl Acetate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Vinyl Acetate. * On skin contact with Vinyl Acetate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Vinyl Acetate 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 Vinyl Acetate. 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 splashproof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid, unless full facepiece respiratory pro tection 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 4 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Vinyl Acetate, 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 face piece 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Vinyl Acetate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Vinyl Acetate must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, and NITRATES) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT and DIRECT SUNLIGHT. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Vinyl Acetate is handled, used, or stored. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Vinyl Acetate should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Vinyl Acetate. * Wherever Vinyl Acetate is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Vinyl Acetate DOT Number: UN 1301 DOT Emergency Guide code: 26 CAS Number: 108-05-4 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 3 REACTIVITY 2 ---------------------------------------- FLAMMABLE/REACTIVE POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Vinyl Acetate is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE 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 Vinyl Acetate 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. * Keep Vinyl Acetate out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the buildup of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Vinyl Acetate 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. Seek medical attention. 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: 100 mm Hg at 70oF Flash Point: 18oF Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Acetic Acid, Ethenyl Ester Other Names and Formulations: Acetic Acid; Vinyl Ester. ------------------------------------------ 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 Vinyl acetate is a liquid used as a chemical building block to form various polymers. These polymers are made into plastics, films, and lacquers. Vinyl acetate 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. Vinyl acetate has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Vinyl acetate 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. Vinyl acetate has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of Vinyl acetate to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Vinyl acetate is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Vinyl acetate is slightly persistent in water, with a half- life of 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 86.5% of Vinyl acetate will eventually end up in air; the rest will end up in the water. 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. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.