Common Name: Lead Sulfide CAS Number: 1314-87-0 DOT Number: NA 2291 Date: July, 1990 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Lead Sulfide enters the body by breathing. It can also be swallowed from food, beverages or cigarettes carried into the work area or unwashed hands. * Lead Sulfide should be handled as a teratogen--with extreme caution. * Lead Sulfide can cause poor appetite, colic, upset stomach, headaches, irritability, muscle or joint pains and weakness. * Permanent kidney damage can result from long-term or high exposure. * The OSHA Lead regulation 1910.1025 describes your rights. You are entitled to a copy from your employer, or request one from OSHA. IDENTIFICATION Lead Sulfide is a silvery, metallic crystalline material or a black powder. It is used in ceramics, infrared radiation detectors and semiconductors. REASON FOR CITATION * Lead Sulfide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and EPA. 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 limits are recommended for inorganic Lead dusts and fumes measured as Lead. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.05 ppm mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. (Final Rule, January 1989). NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.10 mg/m3 averaged over an 10-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.15 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. 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 Lead Sulfide 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 Lead Sulfide 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 Lead Sulfide: * Persons developing Lead poisoning often feel well for weeks and sometimes several months. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Lead Sulfide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Lead Sulfide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * While Lead Sulfide has not been identified as a teratogen or a reproductive hazard, Lead and certain Lead compounds have been determined to be teratogens and may also cause reproductive damage, such as reduced fertility and interference with menstrual cycles. Lead Sulfide should therefore be handled with extreme caution. Other Long-Term Effects * Symptoms of Lead poisoning include poor appetite, upset stomach, colic, headaches, irritability, and aching joints and muscles. Constipation, disturbed sleep and reduced memory also may occur. High exposure can cause brain damage. * Muscle weakness may be noticed, just as in unscrewing jar lids, use of tools, etc. * Fatigue and anemia also occur. * Long-term or repeated high exposure can cause permanent kidney damage. * Lead exposure increases risk of high blood pressure. * With repeated exposure Lead can accumulate in the body. It can take years for the body to get rid of excess Lead. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before first exposure and every 6 months thereafter, OSHA requires your employer to provide (for persons exposed to 30 micrograms or more of Lead per cubic meter of air): * Blood Lead test. * ZPP test (for Lead effects). Before first exposure, and yearly for exposed persons with blood Lead over 40 micrograms per 100 ml of whole blood, OSHA also requires a complete medical history and exam with the above tests, and: * Hemoglobin, hematocrit with complete blood count. * Bun, creatinine and urinalysis. OSHA requires your employer to send the doctor a copy of the Lead standard and provide one for you. 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 Body exposures to Lead from hobbies using Lead solder or pigments, target practice, and drinking moonshine made in Leaded containers will increase Lead levels, as will repeated breathing or handling Leaded gasoline. 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 Lead Sulfide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are required for this chemical by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA standard: 1910.1025 "Lead". Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Lead Sulfide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Lead Sulfide. * Work clothing should be vacuumed before removal. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * On skin contact with Lead Sulfide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Lead Sulfide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Lead Sulfide 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 Lead Sulfide. 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. * Work clothing should be HEPA vacuumed before removal. 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 not higher than 0.5 mg/m3, use a half-mask, air purifying respirator equipped with high efficiency filters. * Where the potential exists for exposures not higher than 2.5 mg/m3, use a full facepiece, air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters. * For exposures not higher than 50 mg/m3, use any powered-air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters or half-mask supplied-air respirator operated in positive pressure mode. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste or otherwise detect Lead Sulfide, 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 exists, for exposures not higher than 100 mg/m3, use supplied-air respirators with full facepiece, hood, helmet or suit, operated in positive pressure mode. * Where the potential exists for exposures greater than 100 mg/m3, use full facepiece, self-contained breathing apparatus operated in positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Lead Sulfide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Lead Sulfide must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. * Lead is regulated by the OSHA standard 1910.1025. All requirements of the standard must be followed. Common Name: Lead Sulfide DOT Number: NA 2291 DOT Emergency Guide code: 53 CAS Number: 1314-87-0 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED 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 Lead Sulfide 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. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Lead Sulfide 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 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. Antidotes and Special Procedures * Persons with significant Lead poisoning can be treated with Ca EDTA while hospitalized. Since this drug causes a rush of Lead from body organs into the blood and kidneys and thus has its own hazards, it must be done by experienced medical persons under careful observation. It or other "chelating" drugs should NEVER be used to prevent poisoning while exposure continues, as severe kidney damage can result. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 1565oF (851oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Lead Sulfide Other Names and Formulations: Galena; Natural Lead Sulfide; Plumbous Sulfide. ------------------------------------------ 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 Lead and its compounds is one of the metals known since ancient times. It occurs widely in the earth's crust and can be dissolved from rocks and minerals into surface waters. Lead and its compounds have a variety of commercial and industrial uses, such as lead pipe, leadlined containers for corrosive gases and liquids, tetraethyl lead, paint pigments, alloys in metallurgy, storage batteries, ceramics, electronic devices, and plastics. 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. Toxicity to aquatic life is affected by water hardness - the softer the water, the greater the toxicity. Lead and its compounds have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of lead 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. Lead and its compounds have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Lead causes nerve and behavioral effects in humans and could cause similar long-term effects in birds and land animals exposed to lead and its compounds. WATER SOLUBILITY Lead and its compounds range in their respective water solubilities from highly soluble to practically insoluble. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Lead and its compounds are highly persistent in water, with a half- life 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 lead and its compounds found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of lead in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.