ETHYLENE THIOUREA
Common Name:
RTK Substance number: 0883
CAS Number: 96-45-7
Date: November 1995 Revised: July 2001
DOT Number: None
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
* Ethylene Thiourea can affect you when breathed in and
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
may be absorbed through the skin.
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
* Ethylene Thiourea should be handled as a CARCINOGEN--
WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
* Contact can irritate the skin and eyes.
NIOSH: Recommends that exposure to occupational
* High exposure may cause dizziness, sweating, nausea, and
carcinogens be limited to the lowest feasible
increased heart rate and blood pressure.
concentration.
* High or repeated exposure can affect the thyroid gland
causing an enlarged thyroid (Goiter) and changes in
* Ethylene Thiourea may be a CARCINOGEN in humans.
thyroid function.
There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so
all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
IDENTIFICATION
* It should be recognized that Ethylene Thiourea can be
Ethylene Thiourea is a white to pale green crystalline (sand-
absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your
like) solid, with a faint Amine odor. It is used in electroplating,
exposure.
insecticides, fungicides, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic
resins, and in making Neoprene rubber.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the
REASON FOR CITATION
site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or
* Ethylene Thiourea is on the Hazardous Substance List
enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn.
because it is cited by NIOSH, NTP, DEP, IARC, HHAG and
* Wear protective work clothing.
EPA.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ethylene
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance
Thiourea and at the end of the workshift.
List because it is a CARCINOGEN.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
* Definitions are provided on page 5.
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
effort, communicate all information on the health and safety
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING hazards of Ethylene Thiourea to potentially exposed
EXPOSED workers.
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.
ETHYLENE THIOUREA 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
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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 Ethylene Thiourea:
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
* High exposure may cause dizziness, sweating, nausea, and
skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
increased heart rate and blood pressure.
In addition, the following control is recommended:
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
* Where possible, automatically transfer Ethylene Thiourea
some time after exposure to Ethylene Thiourea and can last for
from drums or other storage containers to process
months or years:
containers.
Cancer Hazard
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous
* Ethylene Thiourea may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since
exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
it has been shown to cause thyroid and liver cancer in
animals.
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
Ethylene Thiourea should change into clean clothing
a carcinogen.
promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family
Reproductive Hazard
members could be exposed.
* There is limited evidence that Ethylene Thiourea is a
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by
teratogen in animals. Until further testing has been done, it
individuals who have been informed of the hazards of
should be treated as a possible teratogen in humans.
exposure to Ethylene Thiourea.
* Eye wash fountains should be provided i the immediate
n
Other Long-Term Effects
work area for emergency use.
* High or repeated exposure can affect the thyroid gland
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency
causing an enlarged thyroid (Goiter) and changes in thyroid
shower facilities should be provided.
function.
* On skin contact with Ethylene Thiourea, immediately wash
or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the
MEDICAL
workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have
contacted Ethylene Thiourea, whether or not known skin
Medical Testing contact has occurred.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ethylene Thiourea is
following are recommended: handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking,
* Thyroid function tests. smoking, or using the toilet.
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP.
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
exposure.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as
to this information under OSHA 1910.1020. 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.
ETHYLENE THIOUREA page 3 of 6
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the appropriate Q: When are higher exposures more likely?
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust
employees on how and when to use protective equipment. releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping,
etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating,
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large
not apply to every situation. surface areas such as open containers), and "confined
space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers,
small rooms, etc.).
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with Ethylene Thiourea. Wear
Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for
protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/
community residents?
manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most
A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in
protective glove/clothing material for your operation.
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
found in the workplace. However, people in the
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
community may be exposed to contaminated water as well
as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This may be a
Eye Protection
problem for children or people who are already ill.
* Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory
protection.
Q: Don't all chemicals cause cancer?
* Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this
A: No. Most chemicals tested by scientists are not cancer-
substance.
causing.
Respiratory Protection
Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical causes cancer in
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such
animals?
equipment should only be used if the employer has a written
A: Yes. Most scientists agree that a chemical that causes
program that takes into account workplace conditions,
cancer in animals should be treated as a suspected human
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and
carcinogen unless proven otherwise.
medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
Q: But don't they test animals using much higher levels of a
* For field applications check with your supervisor and your
chemical than people usually are exposed to?
safety equipment supplier regarding the appropriate
A: Yes. That's so effects can be seen more clearly using
respiratory equipment.
fewer animals. But high doses alone don't cause cancer
* At any exposure level, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved
unless it's a cancer agent. In fact, a chemical that causes
supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a
cancer in animals at high doses could cause cancer in
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For
humans exposed to low doses.
increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary
self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a pressure-
Q: Who is at the greatest risk from reproductive hazards?
demand or other positive-pressure mode.
A: Pregnant women are at greatest risk from chemicals that
harm the developing fetus. However, chemicals may affect
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the ability to have children, so both men and women of
childbearing age are at high risk.
Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health
effects?
Q: Should I be concerned if a chemical is a teratogen in
A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from
animals?
repeated exposures to a chemical.
A: Yes. Although some chemicals may affect humans
differently than they affect animals, damage to animals
Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-term
suggests that similar damage can occur in humans.
effects?
A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
Q: Can men as well as women be affected by chemicals that
exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to make
cause reproductive system damage?
you immediately sick.
A: Yes. Some chemicals reduce potency or fertility in both
men and women. Some damage sperm and eggs, possibly
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been
leading to birth defects.
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.
ETHYLENE THIOUREA page 4 of 6
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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.
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ETHYLENE THIOUREA 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.
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Common Name: ETHYLENE THIOUREA
DOT Number: None
* Prior to working with Ethylene Thiourea you should be
NAERG Code: No Citation
trained on its proper handling and storage.
CAS Number: 96-45-7
* Ethylene Thiourea is not compatible with ACROLEIN and
OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES,
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES,
1 - NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE).
FLAMMABILITY
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
0 -
REACTIVITY area.
CARCINOGEN
FIRST AID
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate;
3=serious; 4=severe In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661
FIRE HAZARDS Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol or polymer foam minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
extinguishers.
Skin Contact
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
Nitrogen Oxides and Sulfur Oxides. * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained with soap and water.
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
Breathing
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
If Ethylene Thiourea is spilled, take the following steps: breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from
PHYSICAL DATA
area of spill until clean-up is complete.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers. Flash Point: 486o F (252o C)
* Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete.
Water Solubility: Slightly soluble in cold water; Soluble in
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ethylene
hot water
Thiourea as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.
Chemical Name:
* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
2-Imidazolidinethione
properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be
Other Names:
applicable.
ETU; Mercazin 1; Mercaptoimidazoline
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FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
department. You can request emergency information from the Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
following:
purposes.
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CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP
SENIOR SERVICES
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Right to Know Program
PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202 H4985
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