Common Name: Antimony Trioxide CAS Number: 1309-64-4 DOT Number: NA 9201 Date: January, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Antimony Trioxide can affect you when breathed in . It can enter the skin, but it is not known whether it then passes into the body. * There is an association between Antimony Trioxide production and increased lung cancer. * Exposure can cause sore throat, rash, poor appetite and irritation of the airways, with cough. * High or repeated exposure may damage the liver and the heart muscle. IDENTIFICATION Antimony Trioxide is a white, odorless crystalline (sugar or sand- like) powder. It is used as a flameproofing agent, in pigments and ceramics, to stain iron and copper, and to decolorize glass. REASON FOR CITATION * Antimony Trioxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NIOSH, DOT, EPA and DEP. 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 These exposure limits are recommended for Antimony and compounds as Sb: OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. (Final Rule, January 1989). NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * 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. * Since Antimony Trioxide production may cause cancer, 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 Antimony Trioxide 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 Antimony Trioxide 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 Antimony Trioxide: * Exposure can cause sore throat and airway irritation with cough. Nausea and metallic taste may occur. Higher levels may cause the heart to beat irregularly and may cause fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. * Contact can irritate and may burn eyes or skin and cause rash. * Repeated exposure can cause headaches, poor appetite, dry throat and lack of sleep. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Antimony Trioxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that there is an association between the production of Antimony Trioxide in smelting processes and an increase of lung cancer among exposed individuals. * Antimony Trioxide may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause lung and liver cancer 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 * There is some evidence that Antimony Trioxide may damage the developing fetus and cause miscarriages. Other Long-Term Effects * Damage to the liver, spleen and heart muscle may occur, especially with frequent or higher exposures. * Repeated exposure may cause reduced white blood count (increased risk of infection) or reduced red blood cells (anemia). * Repeated exposure could cause lung scarring and may cause emphysema. Either condition can cause shortness of breath. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Urine test for Antimony. * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. * EKG. * Liver function tests. * Complete blood count (CBC). 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 * Use of Antimony Trioxide near acid can cause release of a deadly gas, Stibine. * 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. 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 Antimony Trioxide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Antimony #78-216. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Antimony Trioxide 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 Antimony Trioxide. * 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 Antimony Trioxide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Antimony Trioxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Antimony Trioxide 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 cleanup. 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 Antimony Trioxide. 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 exposure to Antimony Trioxide dust or mist over 0.5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator equipped with particulate (dust/ fume/mist) filters. More protection is provided by a full facepiece respirator than b y a half-mask respirator, and even greater 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. * Where the potential exists for exposure to Antimony Trioxide fume use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece powered-air purifying respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Antimony Trioxide, 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 exposure 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 80 mg/m3 of Antimony (Sb) is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure above 80 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. Common Name: Antimony Trioxide DOT Number: NA 9201 DOT Emergency Guide code: 31 CAS Number: 1309-64-4 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY 0 Not Rated REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated ------------------------------------------ DOES NOT BURN --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Antimony Trioxide itself does not burn. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Antimony Trioxide is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Ventilate area of spill after clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Antimony Trioxide is a recyclable material. Contact your product supplier regarding recycling. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Antimony Trioxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state 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. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Antimony Trioxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Antimony Trioxide is not compatible with STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); HALOGENATED ACIDS or BASES. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * If used near acid a deadly gas (Stibine) can be released. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention. Skin Contact * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with 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 for 1 to 2 days after overexposure is recommended, as some effects may delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Antimony Oxide (Sb2O3) Other Names and Formulations: Antimonious Oxide; Antimony White; Antimony Peroxide; Antimony Sesquioxide. ------------------------------------------ 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 (609) 984-2202 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Antimony is an element which occurs naturally in the environment as a component of certain minerals. As antimony oxide, it is added to various materials as a flame retardant. Antimony may occur in the aquatic environment from natural weathering of mineral formations, from mining and manufacturing effluents, and from municipal wastes. 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. Antimony has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of antimony 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. Antimony has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of antimony to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Antimony and its salts have solubilities in water ranging from low to high. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Antimony is highly persistent in water with a half-life of longer 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. 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 antimony found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of antimony in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.