Common Name: 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene CAS Number: 120-80-9 DOT Number: None Date: January 31, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene can affect you when breathed in. It can also rapidly enter the body through the skin. * Death can occur from extensive skin contact. * Because this is a MUTAGEN, handle it as a possible cancer causing substance with extreme caution. * Lower exposures can cause skin burns, headaches, nausea, muscle twitching and convulsions. * Skin allergy with rash can also occur. * Eye contact can cause severe burns. * Exposure lowers the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, causing a bluish color of the skin. IDENTIFICATION 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is a white to brownish crystalline solid. It is used in making rubber, photography chemicals, dyes, fats, oils, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. REASON FOR CITATION * 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DEP and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a MUTAGEN. * 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 EXPOSURES ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is a MUTAGEN. Mutagens may have a cancer risk. All contact with this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. 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 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information for workers, employers, and community residents. Health professionals may also find it useful. If this substance is part of a mixture, this Fact Sheet should be used along with the manufacturer supplied Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene: * Death can occur especially from extensive skin exposure. * Lower exposures can cause skin burns, nausea, vomiting, headaches, tremors, muscle twitching and convulsions. * Eye contact can cause severe burns with eye damage. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene causes MUTATIONS (genetic changes). Such chemicals may have a cancer or reproductive risk. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a cancer causing agent. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene has been tested and has not been shown to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Skin allergy with rash may occur. Once allergy develops, future exposures even to vapors may cause rash. * High or repeated exposure can cause kidney and liver damage. * Repeated lower exposures can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen (methemoglobinemia) causing a blue color to the skin, dizziness and rapid breathing. Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Tests for liver and kidney function. * Blood methemoglobin level. * 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. 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene 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 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene 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 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene. * 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene. 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 5 ppm, 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 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene, 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 an 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 an MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 120-80-9 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE COMBUSTIBLE SOLID ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. * Store in tightly closed containers in a well ventilated area. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ============================================ FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your local fire department. ============================================ HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. 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: Sublimes readily Flash Point: 279oF Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,2 Benzenediol Other Names and Formulations: Pyrocatechin; Catechol; Pyro catechol; o Dihydroxybenzene. ------------------------------------------ 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is a crystalline solid. Important uses include fur dyeing, leather tanning, photographic developing, and manufacture of perfumes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and polymerization inhibitors. It may enter the environment from 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. 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life and high acute toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene to plants 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. 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene 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 99.6% of 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene will eventually end up in water; the rest 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 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of 1,2- Dihydroxybenzene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.