******************************************* * HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE FACT SHEET * * RIGHT TO KNOW PROGRAM * * NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH * ******************************************* Common Name: PHOSPHORIC ACID CAS Number: 7664-38-2 DOT Number: UN 1805 ------------------------------------------------------------ RTK Substance number: 1516 Date: February 1989 Revision: First ------------------------------------------------------------ PHOSPHORIC ACID HAZARD SUMMARY * Phosphoric Acid can affect you when breathed in. * Breathing the vapor can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Higher levels can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. * Phosphoric Acid is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and contact with the liquid can severely burn the skin and eyes. * Long-term exposure to the liquid may cause drying and cracking of the skin. IDENTIFICATION Phosphoric Acid is a colorless odorless solid or thick liquid. It is used in making metal products, rustproofing, and in making fertilizer and livestock feeds. REASON FOR CITATION * Phosphoric Acid is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and EPA. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. 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 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 3 mg/m3, not to be exceeded during any (15 minute) work period. (Final Rule January 1989). ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 3 mg/m3 as a STEL (short term exposure limit). 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 Phosphoric Acid. * 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 Phosphoric Acid 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 Phosphoric Acid: * Contact can cause severe skin burns and can severely burn the eyes, leading to permanent damage. * Breathing the vapor can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Higher levels can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Phosphoric Acid and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Phosphoric Acid 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, Phosphoric Acid has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause bronchitis with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Long-term exposure to the liquid may cause drying and cracking of the skin. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. 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 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 control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid or transfer solid Phosphoric Acid 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 Phosphoric Acid should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Phosphoric Acid. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Phosphoric Acid, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Phosphoric Acid is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. 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 Phosphoric Acid. Wear acid-resistant 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. * ACGIH recommends natural rubber, nitrile rubber, or polyvinyl chloride as good to excellent protective materials. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and faceshield when working with liquid, or wear dust-proof goggles and faceshield 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 over 1 mg/m3, use an 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 an MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health effects? A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from repeated exposures to a chemical. Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-term effects? A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make you immediately sick. Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been exposed to chemicals? A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is determined by the length of time and the amount of material to which someone is exposed. Q: When are higher exposures more likely? A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping, etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.). Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for community residents? A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those found in the workplace. However, people in the community may be exposed to contaminated water as well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. Because of this, and because of exposure of children or people who are already ill, community exposures may cause health problems. ------------------------------------------------------------ The following information is available from: New Jersey Department of Health Occupational Health Service Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 (609) 984-1863 Industrial Hygiene Information Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret the results of industrial hygiene survey data. Medical Evaluation If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to chemicals at your workplace, you may call a Department of Health physician who can help you find the services you need. Public Presentations Presentations and educational programs on occupational health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor unions, trade associations and other groups. Right to Know Information Resources The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer questions about the identity and potential health effects of chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health, references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the Right to Know survey, education and training programs, labeling requirements, and general information regarding the Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported to (609) 984-5627. ------------------------------------------------------------ DEFINITIONS ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. CAG is the Carcinogens Assessment Group of the federal EPA. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to identify a specific chemical. A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency that regulates the transportation of chemicals. EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. A fetus is an unborn human or animal. A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air. IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their cancer-causing potential. A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve in another. mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume). MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and approves respirators. A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies substances according to their fire and explosion hazard. NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards to OSHA. NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety standards. ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a measure of concentration by volume in air. A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that can cause an explosion under certain conditions or on contact with other specific substances. A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by damaging the fetus. TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit recommended by ACGIH. The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in. >>>>>>>>>E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<< Common Name: PHOSPHORIC ACID DOT Number: UN 1805 DOT Emergency Guide code: 60 CAS Number: 7664-38-2 ----------------------------------------- |Hazard rating | NJ DOH | NFPA | ----------------------------------------- |FLAMMABILITY | - | 0 | ----------------------------------------- |REACTIVITY | - | 0 | ----------------------------------------- |CORROSIVE | |USE WATER ONLY | ----------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Phosphoric Acid is a non-combustible solid or liquid. Contact with common metals may form a flammable gas that may cause a fire or explosion. * Use water only to keep fire-exposed containers cool and to flush away spills. * DO NOT USE CHEMICAL OR C02 EXTINGUISHERS. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Phosphoric Acid is spilled or leaked, 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 or leak. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Phosphoric Acid 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. You can request emergency information from the following: CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 NJDEP HOTLINE: (609) 292-7172 Other: ------------------------------------------------------------ HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Phosphoric Acid you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Phosphoric Acid must be stored to avoid contact with METALS and STRONG CAUSTICS, because violent reactions occur. FIRST AID In NJ, POISON INFORMATION 1-800-962-1253 Other: Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention immediately. 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 is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.03 mm Hg at 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) Water Solubility: Miscible OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Phosphoric Acid Other Names and Formulations: Orthophosphoric Acid; White Phosphoric Acid; Sonac ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------Source: Environmental Research Foundation
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