Common Name: Zinc Oxide CAS Number: 1314-13-2 DOT Number: None Date: November 3, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Zinc Oxide can effect you when breathed in and may enter the body through the skin. * Exposure to Zinc Oxide can cause a flu-like illness called metal fume fever, with symptoms of metallic taste in the mouth, headaches, cough, shortness of breath, aches and chills, upset stomach and chest pain. * Repeated high exposures may cause ulcer symptoms and affect liver function. IDENTIFICATION Zinc Oxide is a yellowish powder. It is used as a fungicide and a pigment in rubber products, paints, lacquers, varnishes, ceramics and cosmetics. REASON FOR CITATION * Zinc Oxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by NIOSH and ACGIH. 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 ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 mg/m3 of total dust and 5 mg/m3 respirable dust averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * The above exposure limit is for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limit 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 at the end of the work-shift. * 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 Zinc Oxide 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. ------------------------------------------ Metal, metal compounds and alloys are often used in "hot" operations in the work-place. These may include, but are not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, plating, cutting, and metallizing. At the high temperatures reached in these operations, metals often form metal fumes which have different health effects and exposure standards than the original metal or metal compound and require specialized controls. Your workplace can be evaluated for the presence of particular fumes which may be generated. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Zinc Oxide : * Zinc Oxide can cause muscle aches, fever and chills, chest tightness and weakness. This comes on several hours after exposure and goes away in 1-2 days. * Earlier symptoms may include a metallic or sweet taste and/or throat irritation or dryness. These indicate overexposure. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Zinc Oxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Zinc Oxide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Zinc Oxide may damage the developing fetus. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated overexposure to Zinc Oxide may affect liver function and may cause ulcer symptoms. * Zinc Oxide can cause skin irritation. Medical Testing There is no special test for this chemical. However, if illness occurs or over-exposure is suspected, medical attention is recommended. 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 Zinc Oxide #76-104. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Zinc Oxide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * On skin contact with Zinc Oxide, wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Zinc Oxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Zinc Oxide 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. * 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 Zinc Oxide. 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 5 mg/m3, 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 Zinc Oxide, 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 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: Zinc Oxide DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 1314-13-2 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ---------------------------------------- DOES NOT BURN TOXIC FUMES PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * DOES NOT BURN. * TOXIC FUMES PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Zinc Oxide is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Zinc Oxide 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. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Zinc Oxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from CHLORINATED RUBBER, MAGNESIUM and LINSEED OIL. FIRST AID 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. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES: White Flower of Zinc. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Zinc is one of the most commonly used metals in the world. Its major uses are for galvanizing steel, producing alloys, and for serving as an ingredient in rubber and paints. Zinc is an essential element for life when present in trace amounts. Zinc exists as a variety of salts. Zinc may enter the environment in the discharge from galvanizing plants, as a leachate from galvanized structures and natural ores, and from municipal waste treatment plant 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. The toxicity of zinc to aquatic life is related to water hardness, with increased toxicity occurring in softer waters. Zinc and its salts have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of zinc and its compounds 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. Zinc and its salts have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of zinc and its salts to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Zinc exists as a variety of salts, many of which are highly soluble in water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Zinc and its salts are highly persistent in water, with half-lives greater 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 zinc found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of zinc in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.