Potassium Chlorate: Health Hazards, Exposure Limits, and Safety Measures, Study notes of Chemistry

Download Potassium Chlorate: Health Hazards, Exposure Limits, and Safety Measures and more Study notes Chemistry in PDF only on Docsity! Common Name: POTASSIUM CHLORATE CAS Number: 3811-04-9 DOT Number: UN 1485 UN 2427 (Aqueous solution) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Potassium Chlorate can affect you when breathed in. * Contact can cause eye and skin irritation and burns. * Breathing Potassium Chlorate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing sneezing, coughing and sore throat. * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing headache, weakness, dizziness and a blue color to the skin (methemoglobinemia). Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and even death. * Repeated exposure may affect the kidneys and nervous system. IDENTIFICATION Potassium Chlorate is a transparent, colorless crystal or white powder. It is used as an oxidizing agent, and in explosives, matches, textile printing, disinfectants and bleaches. REASON FOR CITATION * Potassium Chlorate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT. * Definitions are provided on page 5. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers to provide their employees with information and training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200, requires private employers to provide similar training and information to their employees. * 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 1910.1020. * 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. RTK Substance number: 1560 Date: March 1998 Revision: October 2004 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS No occupational exposure limits have been established for Potassium Chlorate. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. 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 Potassium Chlorate 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 Potassium Chlorate to potentially exposed workers. POTASSIUM CHLORATE page 2 of 6 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 Potassium Chlorate: * Contact can cause eye and skin irritation and burns. * Breathing Potassium Chlorate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing sneezing, coughing and sore throat. * High levels can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing headache, weakness, dizziness and a blue color to the skin (methemoglobinemia). Higher levels can cause trouble breathing, collapse and even death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Potassium Chlorate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Potassium Chlorate 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 and Senior Services, Potassium Chlorate has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Potassium Chlorate can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposures may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Repeated exposure may affect the kidneys and nervous system. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. * Blood test for methemoglobin level. * Kidney function tests. * Exam of the nervous system. 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 1910.1020. 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 transfer Potassium Chlorate 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 Potassium Chlorate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Potassium Chlorate. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Potassium Chlorate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Potassium Chlorate, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. POTASSIUM CHLORATE page 5 of 6 DEFINITIONS ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to identify a specific chemical. CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which consists of the regulations of the United States government. 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. IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database of the federal EPA. 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). 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. NAERG is the North American Emergency Response Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation incident, and to protect themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident. 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. PEL is the Permissible Exposure Limit which is enforceable by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison Inhalation Hazards. 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 releases energy under certain conditions. STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15- minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a work day. 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. page 6 of 6 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Common Name: POTASSIUM CHLORATE DOT Number: UN 1485 UN 2427 (Aqueous solution) NAERG Code: 140 CAS Number: 3811-04-9 Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA FLAMMABILITY 0 - REACTIVITY 1 - POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Although Potassium Chlorate does not burn, it is an OXIDIZER and will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. * USE WATER SPRAY ONLY. DO NOT USE chemical, CO2, Halon or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Potassium Chlorate may ignite combustibles (wood, paper and oil). * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Potassium Chlorate is spilled, take the following steps: * Evacuate 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. * Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Potassium Chlorate 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. * If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be applicable. ============================================= FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. You can request emergency information from the following: CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300 NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP ============================================= HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Potassium Chlorate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Potassium Chlorate is a strong OXIDIZER which may ignite or explode on contact with COMBUSTIBLES. * Potassium Chlorate must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); REDUCING AGENTS; HYDROCARBONS (FUELS); AMMONIUM SALTS; METAL OXIDES; METAL SALTS; and HALOGENS. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from AIR, LIGHT and MOISTURE. * Protect storage containers from physical damage and avoid storage on wood floors. FIRST AID For POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-222-1222 Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. 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 (using universal precautions) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Chloric Acid, Potassium Salt Other Names: Chlorate of Potash; Potassium Oxymuriate; Potcrate; Berthollet’s Salt -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES Right to Know Program PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 (609) 984-2202 --------------------------------------------------------------------------