Common Name: Dicofol CAS Number: 115-32-2 DOT Number: UN 2761 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Dicofol can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure can affect the nervous system, causing headache, irritability and poor appetite or nausea. Higher exposures can cause weakness, numbness or tingling in arms, leg face or mouth, muscle twitching, shakes, convulsions ("fits" or seizures), unconsciousness or even death. IDENTIFICATION Dicofol is a white crystal. It is an organochlorine pesticide. REASON FOR CITATION * Dicofol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DEP, DOT 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 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 Dicofol. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Dicofol can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. 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 Dicofol 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 Dicofol 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 Dicofol: * Exposure can affect the nervous system, including the brain causing headache, irritability or nausea. Higher exposure levels can cause numbness, weakness, or tingling in the nerves to the arms, legs or face. Muscle twitching, seizures, unconsciousness or even death can occur. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Dicofol and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that Dicofol causes cancer in animals. It may cause cancer of the liver. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * Dicofol may decrease fertility in females. Other Long Term Effects * Long term effects are unknown at this time. Dicofol is very closely related to DDT although it is believed to not linger as long in the body. MEDICAL TESTING There is no special test for this chemical. However, if illness occurs or over exposure is suspected, medical attention is recommended. 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: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Dicofol 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 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 Dicofol should change into clean clothing promptly. informed of the hazards of exposure to Dicofol. * On skin contact with Dicofol, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Dicofol 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 cleanup. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. 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 Dicofol. 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. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Dicofol does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures over Dicofol, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. 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 Dicofol, or in the case of a full facepiece 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: Dicofol DOT Number: UN 2761 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 115-32-2 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 2 Not Rated REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Dicofol is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Hydrogen Chloride. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Dicofol 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. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Dicofol 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 Dicofol you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from FOOD STUFFS. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Dicofol is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. 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 * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of 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. Persons who have fire aid training in the management of seisures should be rapidly available where a potential for accidental overexposure exists. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 120oF (48.8oC) Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Benzenemethanol, 4 Chloro alpha (4 Chlorophenyl) alpha (Trichloromethyl) Other Names and Formulations: Acarin; Carbox; Cekudifol; CPCA; Decofol; DTMC; Mifol; Kelthane; Milbol; Mitigan. ------------------------------------------ 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 Dicofol is a pesticide used to control mites on many different fruit, vegetable, ornamental and field crops. It may enter the environment from runoff following agricultural or horticultural applications, 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. Dicofol has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of Dicofol 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. Dicofol has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of Dicofol to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Dicofol is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Dicofol is moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 51.4% of Dicofol will eventually end up in terrestrial soil; about 48% will end up in aquatic sediments; and 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. The concentration of Dicofol found in fish tissues is expected to be considerable higher than the average concentration of Dicofol in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA. Phytotox