Common Name: Propylene CAS Number: 115-07-1 DOT Number: UN 1077 Date: October 30, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Propylene can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to high levels can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Very high levels can cause you to pass out from lack of oxygen. Death can result. * Contact with liquefied Propylene can cause frostbite. * Exposure may cause an irregular the heart beat. It may also damage the liver. * Propylene is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE GAS and is a DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Propylene is a colorless gas with a slight odor or a liquid under pressure. It is used in the production of many organic chemicals including resins, plastics, synthetic rubber and gasoline. REASON FOR CITATION * Propylene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is FLAMMABLE. * 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 Propylene. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * Large amounts of Propylene will decrease the amount of available oxygen. Oxygen content should be tested to ensure that it is 19% by volume. 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 gloves and clothing to avoid contact with liquid Propylene. * Permanently installed detectors can be used to monitor any dangerous release of Propylene gas. * 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 Propylene 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 Propylene: * Exposure to high levels can cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Very high levels can make you pass out and even die from lack of oxygen. * Contact with liquefied Propylene can cause frostbite. * Exposure may cause an irregular heart beat. This can cause death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Propylene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Propylene has been tested and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Propylene has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Propylene may damage the liver. Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver function tests. * Holter monitor (a special 24 hour EKG to look for irregular heart beat). 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 controls are recommended: * Before entering a confined space where Propylene is present, check to make sure sufficient oxygen (19%) exists. * Before entering a confined space where Propylene may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * DO NOT SMOKE in the work area. 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 * Where exposure to cold equipment, vapors, or liquid may occur, employees should be provided with special clothing designed to prevent the freezing of body tissues. * 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 Propylene, 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. * Exposure to Propylene is dangerous because it can replace oxygen and lead to suffocation. Only MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in positive pressure mode should be used in oxygen deficient environments. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Propylene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Propylene 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 or DIRECT SUNLIGHT. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Propylene is handled, used, or stored. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Propylene. * Wherever Propylene is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. * Piping should be electrically bonded and grounded. * Procedures for the handling, use and storage of Propylene cylinders should be in compliance with OSHA 1910.101 and subpart M as well as with the recommendations of the Compressed Gas Association. Common Name: Propylene DOT Number: UN 1077 DOT Emergency Guide code: 22 CAS Number: 115-07-1 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 4 REACTIVITY 1 ---------------------------------------- CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Propylene is a FLAMMABLE GAS. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * For small fires use dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * For large fires use water spray, fog or foam. * Keep containers of Propylene cool using water spray. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Propylene is leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of leak to disperse the gas. * Stop flow of gas. If source of leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place in the open air, and repair leak or allow cylinder to empty. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Propylene 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 If contact with liquid Propylene occurs: * Immediately immerse affected part in warm 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 Flash Point: 162oF Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1-Propene Other Names and Formulations: Propene; 1-Propylene; Methylethylene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Propylene is a feedstock chemical of the petrochemical industry used to produce various derivatives such as polypropylene, acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, and isopropyl alcohol. It is also used to produce polymer gasoline for an improved octane rating. It is a flammable gas at ordinary temperature and pressure. It may enter the environment from spills during shipment as a liquified gas under pressure. 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. Propylene has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Propylene has caused no effects to rice plants at concentrations of 1 and 100 ppm. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of propylene to 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. Propylene has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of propylene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Propylene is soluble in water at 446 ml gas/Liter. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Propylene is non-persistent in water due to volatilization, with a half-life less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. Virtually 100% of propylene will end up in the air. 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 propylene found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of propylene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.