ZIRCONIUM SULFATE
Common Name:
RTK Substance number: 2052
CAS Number: 14644-61-2
Date: November 2000
DOT Number: NA 9163
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HAZARD SUMMARY WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
* Zirconium Sulfate can affect you when breathed in. The following exposure limits are for Zirconium compounds
* Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. (measured as Zirconium):
* Breathing Zirconium Sulfate can irritate the nose, throat
and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL)
is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
breath.
* Repeated exposure to Zirconium Sulfate can cause an
allergic skin reaction with small nodules on the skin NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
5 mg/m3 averaged over a 10-hour workshift and
(granulomas).
10 mg/m3 , not to be exceeded during any 15
* Long-term exposure may affect the lungs.
* Zirconium Sulfate is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL. minute work period.
IDENTIFICATION ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is
5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift and
Zirconium Sulfate is an odorless, white, sand-like powder. It
10 mg/m3 as a STEL (short-term exposure limit).
is used as a chemical reagent and lubricant.
REASON FOR CITATION WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Zirconium Sulfate is on the Hazardous Substance List * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
DOT, NIOSH and EPA. ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance worn.
List because it is CORROSIVE. * Wear protective work clothing.
* Definitions are provided on page 5. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Zirconium
Sulfate and at the end of the workshift.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
EXPOSED addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers to effort, communicate all information on the health and safety
label chemicals in the workplace and requires public employers hazards of Zirconium Sulfate to potentially exposed
to provide their employees with information and training workers.
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.
ZIRCONIUM SULFATE page 2 of 6
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
potential and most severe health hazards that may result from to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the
substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to
Mixed Exposures
any of the potential effects described below.
* Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
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cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time,
stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health
Acute Health Effects problems.
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Zirconium Sulfate:
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
* Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
* Breathing Zirconium Sulfate can irritate the nose, throat
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective
and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of
way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose
breath.
operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site
of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce
Chronic Health Effects exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes
some time after exposure to Zirconium Sulfate and can last for
necessary.
months or years:
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
Cancer Hazard (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
* According to the information presently available to the
substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
Zirconium Sulfate has not been tested for its ability to
should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when
cause cancer in animals.
significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
Reproductive Hazard In addition, the following control is recommended:
* According to the information presently available to the
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, * Where possible, automatically transfer Zirconium Sulfate
Zirconium Sulfate has not been tested for its ability to from drums or other storage containers to process
affect reproduction. containers.
Other Long-Term Effects Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous
* Repeated exposure to Zirconium Sulfate can cause an exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
allergic skin reaction with nodules on the skin
(granulomas). * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by
* Long-term exposure may affect the lungs. Zirconium Sulfate should change into clean clothing
promptly.
MEDICAL * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family
members could be exposed.
Medical Testing * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the individuals who have been informed of the hazards of
TLV or greater), the following are recommended before exposure to Zirconium Sulfate.
beginning work and at regular times after that: * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate
work area for emergency use.
* Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency
* Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful shower facilities should be provided.
exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose * On skin contact with Zirconium Sulfate, immediately wash
skin allergy. or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the
workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and contacted Zirconium Sulfate, whether or not known skin
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for contact has occurred.
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Zirconium Sulfate is
exposure. handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking,
smoking, or using the toilet.
ZIRCONIUM SULFATE page 3 of 6
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- * If while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator you can smell,
up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. taste, or otherwise detect Zirconium Sulfate, or if while
wearing particulate filters abnormal resistance to breathing
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT is experienced, or eye irritation occurs while wearing a full
facepiece respirator, leave the area immediately. Check to
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is,
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good,
outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a you may need a new respirator.
while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your
installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters
or cartridges to protect against different forms of a chemical
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and * Where the potential for high exposure exists, use a
to train employees on how and when to use protective MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full
equipment. facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
pressure mode. For increased protection use in
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing
not apply to every situation. apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
pressure mode.
* Exposure to 50 mg/m3 (as Zirconium) is immediately
Clothing
dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposure
* Avoid skin contact with Zirconium Sulfate. Wear
above 50 mg/m3 (as Zirconium) exists, use a
protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment
MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing
suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-
the most protective glove/clothing material for your
demand or other positive-pressure mode.
operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
should be clean, available each day, and put on before
work.
Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic health
effects?
Eye Protection
A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result from
* Wear impact resistant eye protection with side shields or
repeated exposures to a chemical.
goggles.
* Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-
corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
term effects?
* Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this
A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
substance.
exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to
make you immediately sick.
Respiratory Protection
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been
equipment should only be used if the employer has a written
exposed to chemicals?
program that takes into account workplace conditions,
A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and
increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is
medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134.
determined by the length of time and the amount of
material to which someone is exposed.
* NIOSH has established new testing and certification
requirements for negative pressure, air purifying,
Q: When are higher exposures more likely?
particulate filter and filtering facepiece respirators. The
A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include dust
filter classifications of dust/mist/fume, paint spray or
releasing operations (grinding, mixing, blasting, dumping,
pesticide prefilters, and filters for radon daughters, have
etc.), other physical and mechanical processes (heating,
been replaced with the N, R, and P series. Each series has
pouring, spraying, spills and evaporation from large
three levels of filtering efficiency: 95%, 99%, and 99.9%.
surface areas such as open containers), and "confined
Check with your safety equipment supplier or your
space" exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers,
respirator manufacturer to determine which respirator is
small rooms, etc.).
appropriate for your facility.
ZIRCONIUM SULFATE page 4 of 6
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Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for
The following information is available from:
community residents?
A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly n i
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
Occupational Health Service
found in the workplace. However, people in the
PO Box 360
community may be exposed to contaminated water as well
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This may be
(609) 984-1863
a problem for children or people who are already ill.
(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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ZIRCONIUM SULFATE 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
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Protection.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
standards to OSHA.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
and reviews evidence for cancer.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public
employees.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
PIH is a DOT designation for chemicals which are Poison
Inhalation Hazards.
HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal
EPA.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
measure of concentration by volume in air.
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
cancer-causing potential.
energy under certain conditions.
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
dissolve in another.
damaging the fetus.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air. It
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure limit
is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
recommended by ACGIH.
MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the
The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a
federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and
solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
approves respirators.
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
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.
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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: ZIRCONIUM SULFATE
DOT Number: NA 9163
* Prior to working with Zirconium Sulfate you should be
NAERG Code: 171
trained on its proper handling and storage.
CAS Number: 14644-61-2
* Zirconium Sulfate is not compatible with ALUMINUM;
MAGNESIUM; POTASSIUM NITRATE; and OXIDIZING
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
Not Found Not Rated PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
FLAMMABILITY
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE).
Not Found Not Rated
REACTIVITY * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
CORROSIVE area.
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE FIRST AID
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661
3=serious; 4=severe
Eye Contact
FIRE HAZARDS
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue
without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting
* Zirconium Sulfate may burn, but does not readily ignite.
upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
Skin Contact
Sulfur Oxides.
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water.
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
Breathing
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
* Remove the person from exposure.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
PHYSICAL DATA
If Zirconium Sulfate is spilled, take the following steps:
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from
Water Solubility: Soluble
area of spill until clean-up is complete.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete.
Chemical Name:
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Zirconium
Sulfuric Acid, Zirconium (4+) Salt (2:1)
Sulfate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state
Other Names:
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Disulfatozirconic Acid; Zirconyl Sulfate
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 Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
applicable.
purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire
SENIOR SERVICES
department. You can request emergency information from the
Right to Know Program
following:
PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
(609) 984-2202
CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
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NJDEP HOTLINE: 1-877-WARN-DEP
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