Common Name: Diazomethane CAS Number: 334-88-3 DOT Number: None Date: March, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Diazomethane can affect you when breathed in. * It is extremely toxic. Exposure can cause severe lung damage with symptoms of coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and fatigue. These may not be felt until hours or days after exposure and this can cause death. * Exposure to the gas or liquid can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. * Repeated exposures, even at low levels, may cause an asthma- like lung allergy. * Heat, sunlight, or other bright lights can cause it to explode. Contact with alkali metals, drying agents and rough edges can also cause explosions. IDENTIFICATION Diazomethane is a yellow gas at room temperature. It can also exist as a liquid under pressure. It is used in making other chemicals. REASON FOR CITATION * Diazomethane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH. 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 0.2 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.2 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. 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 Diazomethane. * 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 Diazomethane to potentially exposed workers. 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 Diazomethane: * Breathing Diazomethane gas or vapors can cause severe lung damage. Immediate symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, headache, and irritation of the mouth, nose and throat. Nausea, vomiting, and fever may also occur. This can progress to a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. The effects may not be felt for hours or days after exposure. * Contact with Diazomethane gas, liquefied gas, or solutions can cause severe eye burns and permanent damage. * Skin contact can cause severe irritation, burns and scaling of the affected body area. Similar symptoms may occur on the skin inside the mouth, nose and throat following inhalation. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Diazomethane and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Diazomethane 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, Diazomethane has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure to Diazomethane can cause an asthma-like lung allergy. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and fatigue. The symptoms may become progressively worse with repeated attacks, and permanent lung damage (emphysema) may result. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. These may be normal at first if the person is not having an attack at the time. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose allergy. * Consider chest x-ray after acute over-exposure. 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 Diazomethane from cylinders 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 liquid Diazomethane 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 Diazomethane. * 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 Diazomethane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Diazomethane is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as 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. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Diazomethane. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Diazomethane, or gas-proof goggles when working with the gas, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.2 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 10 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 10 ppm exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Diazomethane you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Diazomethane must be stored to avoid contact with ALKALI METALS, such as LITHIUM, SODIUM, or POTASSIUM; or DRYING AGENTS, such as CALCIUM SULFATE, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from HEAT and LIGHT. The pure liquid material explodes above 302oF, whereas impure material explodes at lower temperatures. Exposure of the gas or solutions to SUNLIGHT or other BRIGHT LIGHTING may cause an explosion. Contact with ROUGH EDGES, such as found on ground glass, may cause an explosion. Safety barriers or shields should be used to protect workers from accidental explosions. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Diazomethane is handled, used, or stored. * Metal containers used in the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Diazomethane should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Diazomethane. * Wherever Diazomethane is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Diazomethane DOT Number: None DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation CAS Number: 334-88-3 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found EXPLOSIVE LIQUID ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Diazomethane will explode in a fire. In the event of a fire, immediately evacuate the area.