Common Name: Hexachloronaphthalene CAS Number: 1335-87-1 DOT Number: None Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Hexachloronaphthalene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. * Exposure can cause severe liver damage. * Repeated exposure can cause an acne like rash to develop. The skin may become more sensitive to sunlight. IDENTIFICATION Hexachloronaphthalene is a light yellow or white wax like solid with a pleasant odor. It is used to insulate electrical equipment, in flameproofing and water proofing, and as a lubricant additive. REASON FOR CITATION * Hexachloronaphthalene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by NIOSH, ACGIH and EPA. * Definitions are attached. 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 OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.2 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.2 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. 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 Hexachloronaphthalene 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 Hexachloronaphthalene 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 Hexachloronaphthalene: * Contact can irritate the skin, causing a rash. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. * Exposure to high concentrations can damage the liver enough to cause death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Hexachloronaphthalene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Hexachloronaphthalene 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, Hexachloronaphthalene has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposures can cause an acne like rash called chloracne. * Long term exposure may cause chronic liver damage. This can be fatal. * Hexachloronaphthalene can cause the skin to become sensitive to sun exposure. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Examination of the skin for signs of chloracne rash. * Liver function tests. 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: * Where possible, automatically pump molten Hexachloronaphthalene from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Hexachloronaphthalene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Hexachloronaphthalene. * On skin contact with Hexachloronaphthalene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Hexachloronaphthalene at the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Hexachloronaphthalene is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not smoke in the work area. Even a little vapor inhaled through a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe will be converted into more highly toxic substances. 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 Hexachloronaphthalene. 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 and face shield when working with molten Hexachloronaphthalene 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 over 0.2 mg/m3 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: Hexachloronaphthalene DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 1335-87-1 ---------------------------------------- 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 * Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire (Hexachloronaphthalene burns only at very high temperatures). * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED 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 Hexachloronaphthalene is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Hexachloronaphthalene 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 Hexachloronaphthalene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Hexachloronaphthalene must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS such as PERMANGANATES, NITRATES, PER OXIDES, CHLORATES, and PERCHLORATES, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from HEAT. 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 area with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: Less than 1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Naphthalene; Hexachloro Other Names and Formulations: Halowax 1014. ------------------------------------------ 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 Hexachloronaphthalene is a solid which is generally not commercially available in the pure form, but as part of a mixture (HalowaxR) of tetra-, penta-, and hexachloronaphthalenes. Such mixtures has excellent electrical insulating properties, and have been used in flame-proofing and insulating electrical components, in coating papers, as additives in gear oils and cutting compounds, as moisture- proof sealants, and as separators in batteries. Hexachloronaphthalene 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. HalowaxR 1014 (20% tetra-, 40% penta-, and 40% hexachloronapthalene) has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of hexachloronaphthalene 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. HalowaxR 1014 (20% tetra-, 40% penta-, and 40% hexachloro- naphthalene) has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of hexachloronaphthalene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Hexachloronaphthalene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of less than 1 milligram will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Hexachloronaphthalene is 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. About 52% of hexachloronaphthalene will eventually end up in terrestrial soil; the rest will end up in aquatic sediments. 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 hexachlornaphthalene found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of hexachloronaphthalene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.