ETHYL OXALATE
Common Name:
RTK Substance number: 0901
CAS Number: 95-92-1
Date: April 2001
DOT Number: UN 2525
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
HAZARD SUMMARY
No occupational exposure limits have been established for
* Ethyl Oxalate can affect you when breathed in and may be
Ethyl Oxalate. This does not mean that this substance is not
absorbed through the skin.
harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed.
* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes.
* Breathing Ethyl Oxalate can irritate the nose and throat.
* It should be recognized that Ethyl Oxalate may be
* High exposure can cause headache, irritability, weakness,
absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your
muscle cramps, nausea, seizures, coma and death.
exposure.
* Ethyl Oxalate can cause anemia.
* Ethyl Oxalate may affect the kidneys.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
IDENTIFICATION * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
Ethyl Oxalate is a colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor.
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
It is used as a solvent and in the manufacturing of chemicals
worn.
and pharmaceuticals.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ethyl
REASON FOR CITATION
Oxalate and at the end of the workshift.
* Ethyl Oxalate is on the Hazardous Substance List because
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
it is cited by DOT and NFPA.
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
* Definitions are provided on page 5.
effort, communicate all information on the health and safety
hazards of Ethyl Oxalate to potentially exposed workers.
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.
ETHYL OXALATE page 2 of 6
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
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 Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective
potential effects described below. 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.
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than
the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
Acute Health Effects
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
(1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
immediately or shortly after exposure to Ethyl Oxalate:
substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes.
should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant
* Breathing Ethyl Oxalate can irritate the nose and throat.
skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
* High exposure can cause headache, irritability, weakness,
muscle cramps, nausea, seizures, coma and death.
In addition, the following control is recommended:
Chronic Health Effects
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid Ethyl Oxalate
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
from drums or other storage containers to process
some time after exposure to Ethyl Oxalate and can last for
containers.
months or years:
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous
Cancer Hazard
exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Ethyl
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ethyl
Oxalate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in
Oxalate should change into clean clothing promptly.
animals.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by
individuals who have been informed of the hazards of
Reproductive Hazard
exposure to Ethyl Oxalate.
* According to the information presently available to the New
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Ethyl
work area for emergency use.
Oxalate has not been tested for its ability to affect
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency
reproduction.
shower facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Ethyl Oxalate, immediately wash or
Other Long-Term Effects
shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift,
* Ethyl Oxalate can cause anemia.
wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Ethyl
* Ethyl Oxalate may affect the kidneys.
Oxalate, whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ethyl Oxalate is handled,
MEDICAL
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking, smoking, or
Medical Testing using the toilet.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
following are recommended: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
* Complete blood count. WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL
* Kidney function tests. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as
outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate.
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
exposure. OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the appropriate
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right employees on how and when to use protective equipment.
to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may
not apply to every situation.
ETHYL OXALATE page 3 of 6
Clothing QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
* Avoid skin contact with Ethyl Oxalate. Wear protective
gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health
manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most effects?
protective glove/clothing material for your operation. A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) repeated exposures to a chemical.
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-term
Eye Protection effects?
* Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
when working with liquids. exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make
* Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with you immediately sick.
corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been
Respiratory Protection exposed to chemicals?
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is
equipment should only be used if the employer has a written increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is
program that takes into account workplace conditions, determined by the length of time and the amount of
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and material to which someone is exposed.
medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
Q: When are higher exposures mo re likely?
* Where the potential for overexposure exists, use a A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include
MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring,
facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas
pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination such as open containers), and "confined space" exposures
with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small rooms, etc.).
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
mode. Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for
community residents?
HANDLING AND STORAGE A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
* Prior to working with Ethyl Oxalate you should be trained found in the workplace. However, people in the
on its proper handling and storage. community may be exposed to contaminated water as well
* Ethyl Oxalate is not compatible with OXIDIZING AGENTS as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This may be a
(such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, problem for children or people who are already ill.
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG ACIDS
(such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC);
STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); and REDUCING AGENTS.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-
ventilated area away from WATER and MOISTURE.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Ethyl Oxalate is used, handled, or stored in
a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion
hazard.
ETHYL OXALATE page 4 of 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information is available from:
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Occupational Health Service
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
(609) 984-1863
(609) 292-5677 (fax)
Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/
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 personnel at the
Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational Health
Service, who can help you find the information 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) 984-2202.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETHYL OXALATE page 5 of 6
DEFINITIONS
NAERG is the North American Emergency Response
ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada, the
Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called TLVs) for
United States Department of Transportation and the Secretariat
exposure to workplace chemicals.
of Communications and Transportation of Mexico. It is a guide
for first responders to quickly identify the specific or generic
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
hazards of material involved in a transportation incident, and to
protect themselves and the general public during the initial
The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts
response phase of the incident.
Service to identify a specific chemical.
NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
irreversible damage to human tissue or containers.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes standards
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
to OSHA.
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
and reviews evidence for cancer.
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and
Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
employees.
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison
HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal
Inhalation Hazards.
EPA.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
measure of concentration by volume in air.
scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their
cancer-causing potential.
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
energy under certain conditions.
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly dissolve
in another.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It damaging the fetus.
is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit
recommended by ACGIH.
MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the
federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and
The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a
approves respirators.
solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation is
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations can
lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
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: ETHYL OXALATE
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire
DOT Number: UN 2525
department. You can request emergency information from the
NAERG Code: 156
following:
CAS Number: 95-92-1
CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP
- 2 =============================================
FLAMMABILITY
- 0
REACTIVITY HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)
COMBUSTIBLE
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE FIRST AID
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate;
Eye Contact
3=serious; 4=severe
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue
FIRE HAZARDS without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting
upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately.
* Ethyl Oxalate is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID.
Skin Contact
* Use dry chemical, CO2, alcohol or polymer foam
extinguishers, as water may not be effective in fighting fires. * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. with soap and water.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
Breathing
* Use water spray only to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
* Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. * Remove the person from exposure.
* Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a distance to cause * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
a fire or explosion far from the source. breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
PHYSICAL DATA
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 116o F (47o C)
If Ethyl Oxalate is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
Flash Point: 168o F (75o C)
Water Solubility: Slightly soluble
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from
area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
Chemical Name:
material and deposit in sealed containers.
* Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete. Ethanedioic Acid, Diethyl Ester
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ethyl Oxalate Other Names:
as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Diethyl Ethanedioate; Oxalic Ether
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.
Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
purposes.
properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
applicable.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SENIOR SERVICES
Right to Know Program
PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|