Common Name: Hexachlorobenzene CAS Number: 118-74-1 DOT Number: UN 2729 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Hexachlorobenzene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Hexachlorobenzene is a CARCINOGEN HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Contact can cause eye and skin irritation. * Breathing Hexachlorobenzene can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. * High or repeated exposure may damage the liver, immune system, thyroid, kidneys and nervous system. Irritability, muscle weakness, tremors, pins and needles, and other nerve damage can occur. A condition called porphiria cutaneatarda can also occur. This can cause rash, changes in skin pigment, skin thickening, red or dark urine and other body changes. * Hexachlorobenzene accumulates in the body. IDENTIFICATION Hexachlorobenzene is found in the form of white needles which may be dissolved in a liquid solution. It is used as a wood preservative and as a fungicide for treating seeds. REASON FOR CITATION * Hexachlorobenzene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DEP, DOT, NTP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * 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 Hexachlorobenzene. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. * Hexachlorobenzene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * It should be recognized that Hexachlorobenzene 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 Hexachlorobenzene 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 Hexachlorobenzene 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 Hexachlorobenzene: * Breathing Hexachlorobenzene can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. * Contact can cause skin irritation. Exposure to sunlight with or soon after exposure to Hexachlorobenzene increases these effects. After this reaction, changes in skin pigment and blistering may follow. Red or dark urine may be noticed. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Hexachlorobenzene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Hexachlorobenzene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver and thyroid gland cancers in animals. * 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 * Hexachlorobenzene may damage the developing fetus. Other Long Term Effects * Hexachlorobenzene may damage the liver, immune system (increasing risk of infection), thyroid, and kidneys. * High or repeated exposure may damage the nervous system, and can cause irritability, difficulty with walking and coordination, muscle weakness, tremor and/or a feeling of pins and needles on the skin. * Repeated exposure, especially when skin effects occur, can lead to permanent skin changes, such as changes in pigment, tight, thickened skin, easy wrinkling, skin scarring, fragile skin, and increased hair growth, such as in the face and forearms. MEDICAL Medical Testing 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 Iron as a dietary supplement could increase liver damage caused by Hexachlorobenzene. Consult your physician before taking iron supplements. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure Sunlight exposure will increase effects of exposure. This may be worse if sunlight exposure occurs to contaminated skin or after exposure, but could occur to anyone with significant Hexachlorobenzene exposure. 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 transfer Hexachlorobenzene from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH publications: Occupational Exposure During the Manufacture and Formulation of Pesticides #78 174; and Working with Pesticides #76 147. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Hexachlorobenzene 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 Hexachlorobenzene. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Hexachlorobenzene, 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 Hexachlorobenzene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Hexachlorobenzene 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 Hexachlorobenzene. 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 * Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory protection. 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 Hexachlorobenzene does not occur. * At any exposure level, 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. * For field applications, ask your supplier for the appropriate respiratory protective gear. Always stand upwind of the area of pesticide application. Common Name: Hexachlorobenzene DOT Number: UN 2729 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 118-74-1 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 1 Not Rated REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CARCINOGEN ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Hexachlorobenzene may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED 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 Hexachlorobenzene is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate area of liquid spill or leak. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * 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 Hexachlorobenzene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Hexachlorobenzene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * At temperatures above 149oF (65oC), Hexachlorobenzene reacts violently with DIMETHYL FORMAMIDE. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. 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. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 468oF (242oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Benzene, Hexachloro Other Names and Formulations: HCB; HEXA C.B.; Phenyl Perchloroyl. ------------------------------------------ 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 Hexachlorobenzene is a solid used as a fungicide and to make other organic chemicals. It has been detected in environmental samples from around the world, and is recognized as a global pollutant. It may enter the environment from agricultural runoff or atmospheric deposition. 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. Hexachlorobenzene has high acute toxicity to aquatic life and moderate acute toxicity to land animals. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of hexachlorobenzene to plants or birds. 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. Hexachlorobenzene has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of hexachlorobenzene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Hexachlorobenzene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Hexachlorobenzene is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 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 50% of hexachlorobenzene will eventually end up in terrestrial soil; about 46.75% will end up in aquatic sediments; about 3% will end up in air; and about 0.25% will end up in 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 hexachlorobenzene found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of hexachlorobenzene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.