Common Name: Anthracene CAS Number: 120-12-7 DOT Number: None Date: August 1, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Anthracene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Anthracene may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution. * Skin contact can cause irritation or a skin allergy which is greatly aggravated by sunlight on contaminated skin. Repeated contact can cause thickening, pigment changes and skin growths. * Breathing irritates the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. * Eye contact or "fume" exposure can cause irritation. This reaction can also be greatly aggravated by sunlight during or shortly after exposure. IDENTIFICATION Anthracene is a colorless to pale yellow crystalline (sugar or sand like) material with a bluish fluorescence. It is used in dye stuffs, insecticides and wood preservatives. REASON FOR CITATION * Anthracene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DEP and NFPA. * 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 Anthracene. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Anthracene can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. * Anthracene 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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene: * Direct contact or exposure to heated "fumes" can cause red eyes, irritation of the bronchial tubes, nose and throat and skin irritation, redness and possibly swelling. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Anthracene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Anthracene may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study and in fact, there is limited evidence that at high doses, Anthracene causes cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Anthracene has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Exposure can cause an allergy of the eyes or skin which is greatly aggravated by sunlight exposure to contaminated skin or sunlight on eyes during or shortly after exposure. * Repeated skin exposure can cause patchy areas of increased yellow brown pigment changes, loss of skin pigment, thinning or patchy thickening of skin, skin warts, skin cancer and pimples. * Repeated breathing of "fumes", especially from heated Anthracene, may cause a chronic bronchitis with cough and phlegm. * Repeated exposure of the male scrotum can cause skin thinning and increased pigment. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Examine your skin periodically for growths or changes in warts or moles. Skin cancers are usually easily curable when removed early. * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. 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 * Anthracene also often contains Acridine as a contaminant. Acridine also causes skin and eye allergies, like Anthracene, and irritates the skin, eyes and air passages. * 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. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * Avoid direct sunlight exposure to contaminated skin before careful washing or to eyes during or shortly after 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Anthracene from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Anthracene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Anthracene. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Anthracene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Anthracene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Anthracene 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. 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 Anthracene. 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 Anthracene does not occur. * Where the potential for exposures to Anthracene 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: Anthracene DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 120-12-7 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE SOLID ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Anthracene is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Anthracene is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill 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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Anthracene must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), CHROMIC ACID and CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Anthracene 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 * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap and water. Antidotes and Special Procedures * Sun screening lotions or creams which have strong ability to screen ultraviolet light can help prevent skin allergic reactions. (These may need frequent reapplications if you are sweating). Ultraviolet screening sunglasses can help with eye allergic reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist in selecting these. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 145oF Flash Point: 250oF Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER NAMES AND FORMULATIONS: Anthracin; Green Oil; Paranaphthalene. ------------------------------------------ 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 Anthracene is a naturally occurring compound found in coal-tar and formed during the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. It is one of the compounds constituting the diverse class of compounds known as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Its principal use is in the manufacture of dyestuffs. Due to its widespread occurrence in nature and its use in the dye industries, anthracene enter the environment from non-point sources, as well as industrial and municipal discharges. 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. Anthracene has high acute toxicity to aquatic life and to birds. It showed no effect of corn root size or respiration in one study. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of anthracene 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. Anthracene has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of anthracene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Anthracene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1 milligram or less will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Anthracene 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 77.5% of anthracene will eventually end up in air; about 9.5% will end up in terrestrial soil; about 9% 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 anthracene found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of anthracene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.