Common Name: DECABORANE CAS Number: 17702-41-9 DOT Number: UN 1868 ------------------------------------------------------------ Substance number: 0597 Date: February 1989 Revision: First ------------------------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * Decaborane can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure can cause restlessness, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. High concentrations can cause muscle twitching, convulsions, unconsciousness, and death. High or repeated exposures may damage the liver and kidneys. * Vapor exposure may cause clouding of the eyes with loss of vision. Contact can cause severe eye burns and may also irritate the skin. * Decaborane may explode on contact with heat or flame, or with oxygenated or halogenated solvents. Contact with water can form flammable Hydrogen gas. IDENTIFICATION Decaborane is a colorless or white crystalline solid with a bitter odor. It is used in rocket propellants and in making other chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Decaborane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NFPA, DOT and EPA. 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 0.05 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 0.15 ppm not to be exceeded during any (15 minute) work period. (Final Rule January 1989). ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.05 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 0.15 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. 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 Decaborane 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 Decaborane to potentially exposed workers. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Decaborane: * Exposure can cause restlessness, headaches, fatigue, clumsiness, nausea, hiccups and shaking. High levels can cause muscle twitches, convulsions, unconsciousness, and death. * Contact can cause severe eye burns, leading to permanent damage. It may also irritate the skin, causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. * Exposure to the vapor can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Decaborane and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Decaborane 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, Decaborane has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposures may affect the ability to concentrate and damage the nervous system, causing tremors and spasms. * Decaborane may damage the liver and kidneys. * Overexposure may cause clouding of the cornea and eyes with loss of vision. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following is recommended: * Examination of the nervous system. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver and kidney function tests. * Exam of the eyes and vision. 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 transfer Decaborane 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 Decaborane should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Decaborane. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * On skin contact with Decaborane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Decaborane at the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Decaborane 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. FIRE HAZARDS * The solid can self-ignite in Oxygen, and mixtures with oxidizing materials can be explosive. * Decaborane is a combustible solid. * Use dry chemical or foam extinguishers. Avoid halogenated extinguishing agents, as they can react violently. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Decaborane 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. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Decaborane 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. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Decaborane you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Decaborane must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS, such as PERMANGANATES, NITRATES, PEROXIDES, CHLORATES, and PERCHLORATES; or HALOGENATED COMPOUNDS, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from HEAT and WATER. HEAT can cause an explosion. Contact with WATER can slowly produce flammable Hydrogen gas. Detached storage is preferable. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Decaborane is handled, used, or stored. FIRST AID 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 area with large amounts of soap and 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. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.05 mm Hg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) Flash Point: 176 degrees F (80 degrees C) Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Decaborane Other Names and Formulations: Boron Hydride; Nido-Decaborane; Decaboron Tetradecahydride