Common Name: Asbestos CAS Number: 1332-21-4 DOT Number: UN 2212/UN 2590 Date: February, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Asbestos can affect you when breathed in. * Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN//HANDLE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Repeated exposure can cause a disease called Asbestosis to develop, usually 20 or more years after exposure begins. Asbestosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes changes on chest x-ray, and shortness of breath with exertion. Progression of Asbestosis can lead to disability and death. The earlier expo sure is stopped, the better the chance of stopping serious disease later. IDENTIFICATION Asbestos is the common name for a group of mineral fibers that range in color from white, green, brown, or blue. It is used as a fireproofing and insulating agent and in brake linings. REASON FOR CITATION * Asbestos is on the Workplace Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH, IARC, NTP and CAG. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. 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 for fibers longer than 5 micrometers. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.2 fibers/cc averaged over an 8-hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 fibers/cc averaged over an 8-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limits are for: Amosite 0.5 fibers/cc Chrysotile 2.0 fibers/cc Crocidolite 0.2 fibers/cc Other forms 2.0 fibers/cc averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. * Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact 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 Asbestos chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Asbestos is handled, used, or stored. * 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 Asbestos to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information for workers, employers, and community residents. Health professionals may also find it useful. If this substance is part of a mixture, this Fact Sheet should be used along with the manufacturer-supplied Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Asbestos: * There are no known acute effects. People who develop serious and fatal disease later in life may feel fine at the time of exposure. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Asbestos and can take months or years to develop: Cancer Hazard * Asbestos is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause lung cancers (including Mesothelioma) as well as stomach, colon, rectal, vocal cord and kidney cancers. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Asbestos has been tested and has not been shown to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure to Asbestos can cause the disease Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs. The higher the exposure, and the longer the time of exposure, the more chance there is of serious illness. * Asbestosis develops some years (from seven to thirty) after the period of exposure. It can progress to disability and death. * Symptoms of Asbestosis include shortness of breath on exertion and changes on the chest x-ray. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests (annually). 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 Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by Asbestos exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. The risk of lung cancer may be as much as 92 times higher for people with Asbestos exposure who smoke than for those without both exposures. 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 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: * Specific engineering controls are required for this by OSHA. Refer to the OSHA Standard for General Industry : 1910.1001 and the OSHA Standard for Construction: 1926.58, which applies to the Asbestos Abatement Industry (Federal Register Vol. 51, No. 119 June 20, 1986 Rules and Regulations.) Also refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos #77-169. * Substitute the less toxic mineral wool and fiberglass for Asbestos where possible. There are substitutes for almost every use of Asbestos. * There are extensive recommended and required engineering and procedural regulations for construction and repair projects involving Asbestos material. Before disturbing any Asbestos containing materials, under OSHA all workers must receive special training by law. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Asbestos must change into clean clothing. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Asbestos. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Asbestos is handled, processed, or stored, since Asbestos can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Ongoing Asbestos abatement projects in sealed areas become very hot and humid. There is a risk of heat stress. You should be trained by your employer to recognize the warning signs and the proper action to take to avoid seriously dangerous working conditions. * Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filtered vacuum 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 Asbestos. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Protective gloves and clothing should be impenetrable to Asbestos. * Contaminated, disposable work clothes should be disposed of with Asbestos waste. * Non-disposable clothing should be placed in plastic bags for laundering or decontamination by the employer. Eye Protection * Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory protection. 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. * At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved combination respirator which includes a Type-C supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the pressure-demand mode and with either emergency HEPA backup filter or auxiliary self- contained breathing apparatus operated in the pressure-demand mode. [Caution: This type of respirator is not to be confused with demand or continuous flow Type-C supplied air respirators, which are not recommended.] Alternatively, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in the pressure-demand mode. * However, during asbestos abatement projects when it is impossible to use supplied air or self-contained breathing apparatus, use a full facepiece powered air purifying respirator with high efficiency particulate filters. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Asbestos you must be, by law trained on its proper handling and storage. * A regulated, marked area should be established where Asbestos is handled, used, or stored. * Airborne Asbestos dust is very difficult to remove. It is therefore essential that any area where Asbestos is handled be enclosed and isolated. The material should be kept wet with special surfactant and water. * Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation with negative pressure air filtration and high efficiency particulate filters in areas of Asbestos removal. If enclosure with containment "glove" bags is not used for minor repairs, respirators must be worn and proper procedures must be followed. * All Asbestos materials must be removed and disposed of according to regulations. The area must be monitored to ensure airborne Asbestos levels are below limits prior to reoccupation of the area where Asbestos was disturbed. Common Name: Asbestos DOT Number: UN 2212/UN 2590 DOT Emergency guide code: 31 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 0 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- CARCINOGEN ---------------------------------------- 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. Asbestos itself does not burn. * Care should be taken to contain Asbestos materials disturbed in a fire. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Asbestos is spilled or damaged take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Proper procedures for repair or removal of the material must be followed by trained personnel. * Spills and damaged Asbestos material MUST be cleaned using wet methods. DO NOT DRY SWEEP or SHOVEL. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Asbestos 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. ========================================== FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Asbestos may be a common name for any combination of the following: Asbestos, Crocidolite Cas # 12001-28-4 Asbestos, Anthrophyllite Cas # 77536-67-5 Asbestos, Amosite Cas # 12172-73-5 Asbestos, Chrysotile Cas # 12001-29-5 Asbestos, Tremolite CAS # 14567-73-8 Asbestos (no specification) CAS # 1332-21-4. ------------------------------------------ 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 (609) 984-2202 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Asbestos is a broad term applied to numerous mineral silicate fibers. There are two major groups of asbestos, the serpentine (chrysotile) and amphibole groups. Chrysotile asbestos is the major type used to make asbestos cement pipe, flooring products, paper products (e.g., padding), friction materials (e.g., brake linings and clutch facing), roofing products, and coating or patching compounds. 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. Data are insufficient to determine if asbestos poses any acute toxicity hazard to aquatic life, 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. Asbestos (fibers) can cause cancer if inhaled; birds or land animals which inhale asbestos fibers could therefore develop cancers or other long-term effects. Asbestos fibers which are ingested (swallowed) are generally not toxic but are passed through the digestive system. WATER SOLUBILITY Asbestos minerals are slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Asbestos fibers 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 asbestos found in fish tissues is expected to be less than the average concentration of asbestos in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.