Common Name: Propoxur CAS Number: 114-26-1 DOT Number: UN 2588 Date: October 30, 1986 ---------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Propoxur can affect you when breathed in and quickly enters the body by passing through the skin. Severe poisoning can occur from skin contact. It is a moderately toxic carbamate chemical. * Propoxur may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * It may damage the developing fetus. * Exposure can cause severe carbamate poisoning, with symptoms of headaches, sweating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, loss of coordination and even death. IDENTIFICATION Propoxur is a colorless crystalline powder with a faint odor. It is used as an insecticide mainly for malaria control. REASON FOR CITATION * Propoxur is on the RTK Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DEP, DOT and other authorities. 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 ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * The above exposure limit is for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. * Propoxur may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical 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 Propoxur 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 Propoxur 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 Propoxur: * Exposure can cause severe carbamate poisoning with symptoms of headaches, sweating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, loss of coordination and even death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Propoxur and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Propoxur may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study. Reproductive Hazard * Propoxur may damage the developing fetus. * There is limited evidence that Propoxur may decrease fertility in males and females. Other Long Term Effects * There are no other long term effects known at this time. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Serum and RBC cholinesterase levels (a test for the enzyme in the body affected by Propoxur). These tests are only useful if done 1 to 2 hours after exposure and can return to normal before the person feels well. 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 * Persons exposed to other chemicals which affect body cholinesterase (organophosphates, carbamates) may be at increased risk. 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 Occupational Exposure During the Manufacture and Formulation of Pesticides #78 174. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Propoxur 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 Propoxur. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Propoxur, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Propoxur, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Propoxur is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. 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 Propoxur. 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 dust proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, 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 0.5 mg/m3, 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: Propoxur DOT Number: UN 2588 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 114-26-1 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Methyl Isocyanate. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Propoxur is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate area of spill. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Propoxur 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 Propoxur you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from ALKALINE ENVIRONMENTS. 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 area with large amounts of soap and water. Shampoo hair if contaminated. Seek medical attention immediately. If Symptoms Develop * 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: 0.01 mm Hg at 248oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Phenol, 2 (1 Methylethoxy) , Methylcarbamate Other Names and Formulations: Baygon; Carbamic Acid, Methyl; o Isopropoxyphenyl Ester; o Isopro poxyphenyl Methyl Carbamate. ------------------------------------------ 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 Propoxur is a white to tan crystalline carbamate insecticide. It is used largely for the control of household pests, especially cockroaches, bedbugs, flies, and mosquitoes. Further uses are for control of lawn and turf insects; and against aphids, bugs, and leafhoppers in agricultural crops. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, runoff from application sites, direct application to water to control mosquitoes, 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. Propoxur has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of propoxur 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. Propoxur has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of propoxur to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Propoxur 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 Propoxur 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 99% of propoxur will eventually end up in water; the rest will be divided about equally among air, 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 propoxur found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of propoxur in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.