Common Name: Butyraldehyde CAS Number: 123-72-8 DOT Number: UN 1129 Date: November, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Butyraldehyde can affect you when breathed in. * Butyraldehyde can irritate or even burn the skin and eyes. * Breathing Butyraldehyde can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. High exposure may cause a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. * High exposure may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. IDENTIFICATION Butyraldehyde is a colorless liquid which is used in making synthetic resins, solvents and plasticizers. REASON FOR CITATION * Butyraldehyde is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is FLAMMABLE. 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 Butyraldehyde. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. 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 Butyraldehyde 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 Butyraldehyde 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 Butyraldehyde: * Butyraldehyde can cause skin and eye irritation or even burns. * High exposure to Butyraldehyde may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. * Breathing Butyraldehyde can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. High exposure may cause a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Butyraldehyde and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Butyraldehyde has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Butyraldehyde has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Has not been tested for other chronic (long term) health effects. Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x ray after acute over exposure. 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 Butyraldehyde from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Butyraldehyde may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Butyraldehyde should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Butyraldehyde. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Butyraldehyde, 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 Butyraldehyde, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Butyraldehyde is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. 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 Butyraldehyde. 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 splash proof chemical goggles when working with liquid Butyraldehyde, 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 Butyraldehyde does not occur. * 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Butyraldehyde you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Butyraldehyde must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES), STRONG BASES, STRONG REDUCING AGENTS, and STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC) 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 Butyraldehyde is handled, used, or stored. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Butyraldehyde should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Butyraldehyde. * Wherever Butyraldehyde is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Butyraldehyde DOT Number: UN 1129 DOT Emergency Guide code: 26 CAS Number: 123-72-8 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 3 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Butyraldehyde is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID. * Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam extinguishers as water may be ineffective. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Butyraldehyde is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean up is complete. Vapor build up may cause suffocation. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Butyraldehyde out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Butyraldehyde as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program 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 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. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Flash Point: 10oF (12.2oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Butanal Other Names and Formulations: Butal; Butyl Aldehyde; Butyric Aldehyde. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Butyraldehyde is a flammable liquid. It is used as a chemical intermediate to make plasticizers, rubber accelerators, synthetic resins, and solvents. Butyraldehyde 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. Butyraldehyde has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of butyraldehyde 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. Butyraldehyde has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of butyraldehyde to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Butyraldehyde 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 Butyraldehyde 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 88% of butyraldehyde will eventually end up in air; 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 butyraldehyde found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of butyraldehyde in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.