Common Name: Hydroquinone CAS Number: 123-31-9 DOT Number: UN 2662 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Hydroquinone can affect you when breathed in. * Because this is a MUTAGEN, handle it as a possible cancer causing substance WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Exposure can irritate and may burn the eyes. Contact can irritate the skin, and may cause a rash. * Repeated exposure can cause discoloration of the skin, eyes, and inner eye lids. Over years this can cause clouding of the eyes and permanently damage vision. * Hydroquinone is a very toxic poison if swallowed; poisoning does not seem to occur from exposure to dust or vapor. IDENTIFICATION Hydroquinone is a white, tan to gray crystalline material. It is used in photographic developers, in making dyes, and in paints, motor fuels, soil, polymers, and medicines. REASON FOR CITATION * Hydroquinone is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, NFPA and EPA. * 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 EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 2 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded during any 15 minute work period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * Hydroquinone is a MUTAGEN. Mutagens may have a cancer risk. 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 Hydroquinone 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 Hydroquinone 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 Hydroquinone: * Exposure can irritate and may burn the eyes. * Contact can irritate the skin. * Hydroquinone can cause fatal poisoning when swallowed. It does not seem to cause this effect from exposure to dust or fumes. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Hydroquinone and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Hydroquinone 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. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Hydroquinone may damage the developing fetus and may decrease fertility in females. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated contact can cause a skin rash to develop. It can also cause changes in skin color. * Repeated exposure to Hydroquinone can cause a staining and discoloration of the eyes and eyelids. Over years, this can progress to permanent vision damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following is recommended: * Exam of the eyes and vision. 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: * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Hydroquinone #78 155. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Hydroquinone 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 Hydroquinone. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * On skin contact with Hydroquinone, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Hydroquinone, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Hydroquinone is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for cleanup. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. 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 Hydroquinone. 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 when working with powders or dust, unless full face piece 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 Hydroquinone does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 2 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. More protection is provided by a powered air purifying respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Hydroquinone, 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 face piece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode. * Exposure to 200 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 200 mg/ m3 exists use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Hydroquinone you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Hydroquinone must be stored to avoid contact with SODIUM HYDROXIDE since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from OXIDIZING MATERIALS. Common Name: Hydroquinone DOT Number: UN 2662 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 123-31-9 ---------------------------------------- NFPA Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 1 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE AVOID CONTACT WITH STRONG OXIDIZERS CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Hydroquinone may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE 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 Hydroquinone 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. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Hydroquinone 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. ========================================== 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 contaminated skin with large amounts of 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Less than 0.001 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Flash Point: 329oF (165oC) Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: 1,4 Benzenediol Other Names and Formulations: p Benzendiol; Benzoquinol; 1,4 Dihydroxy benzene; para Hydroxyphenol. ------------------------------------------ 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 Hydroquinone is a crystalline solid used as a photographic reducer and developer, in the production of polymerization inhibitors and antioxidants for rubber and food, and as a chemical reagent. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, from photographic laboratories, 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. Hydroquinone has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Hydroquinone has caused germination decrease in agricultural crops. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of hydroquinone 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. Hydroquinone has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of hydroquinone to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Hydroquinone 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 Hydroquinone 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% of hydroquinone 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 hydroquinone found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of hydroquinone in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.