Disclaimer: These guidelines were developed under contract using generally accepted secondary sources. The protocol used by the contractor for surveying these data sources was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The information contained in these guidelines is intended for reference purposes only. None of the agencies have conducted a comprehensive check of the information and data contained in these sources. It provides a summary of information about chemicals that workers may be exposed to in their workplaces. The secondary sources used for supplements 111 and 1V were published before 1992 and 1993, respectively, and for the remainder of the guidelines the secondary sources used were published before September 1996. This information may be superseded by new developments in the field of industrial hygiene. Therefore readers are advised to determine whether new information is available.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH GUIDELINE FOR CHLOROACETONE

INTRODUCTION

This guideline summarizes pertinent information about chloroacetone for workers and employers as well as for physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational safety and health professionals who may need such information to conduct effective occupational safety and health programs. Recommendations may be superseded by new developments in these fields; readers are therefore advised to regard these recommendations as general guidelines and to determine whether new information is available.

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

* Formula

C(3)H(5)ClO

* Structure

(For Structure, see paper copy)

* Synonyms

Acetonyl chloride, chloropropanone, 1-chloro-2-propanone, monochloroacetone, 1-chloro-2-ketopropane, 1-chloro-2-oxypropane

* Identifiers

1. CAS No.: 78-95-5

2. RTECS No.: UC0700000

3. DOT UN: 1695 56 (chloroacetone, stabilized)

4. DOT label: Poison (chloroacetone, stabilized)

* Appearance and odor

Chloroacetone is a colorless to amber liquid with a pungent odor.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

* Physical data

1. Molecular weight: 92.53

2. Boiling point (at 760 mm Hg): 119°C (246.2°F)

3. Specific gravity (water = 1): 1.16 at 20°C (68°F)

4. Vapor density: Data not available.

5. Melting point: -44.5°C (-48.1°F)

6. Vapor pressure: ()()Data not available.

7. Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, and chloroform.

8. Evaporation rate: Data not available.

* Reactivity

1. Conditions contributing to instability: Prolonged exposure to light can discolor chloroacetone and make it resinous. Chloroacetone can polymerize with age, becoming an explosive, rubber-like material. It is stable with 0.1 percent water or 1.0 percent calcium carbonate.

2. Incompatibilities: Contact of chloroacetone with strong oxidizers, alkalies, or sodium ethoxide may cause a violent reaction to occur.

3. Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases (such as phosgene and hydrogen chloride) may be released in a fire involving chloroacetone.

4. Special precautions: None reported.

* Flammability

The National Fire Protection Association has not assigned a flammability rating to chloroacetone. Other sources rate chloroacetone as flammable when this substance is exposed to heat, open flame, or oxidizers.

1. Flash point: 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) (open cup)

2. Autoignition temperature: Data not available.

3. Flammable limits in air: Data not available.

4. Extinguishant: For small fires use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or standard foam. Use water spray, fog, or standard foam to fight large fires involving chloroacetone.

Fires involving chloroacetone should be fought upwind from the maximum distance possible. Keep unnecessary people away; isolate the hazard area and deny entry. For a massive fire in a cargo area, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from the area and let the fire burn. Emergency personnel should stay out of low areas and ventilate closed spaces before entering. Containers of chloroacetone may explode in the heat of the fire and should be moved from the fire area if it is possible to do so safely. If this is not possible, cool fire-exposed containers from the sides with water until well after the fire is out. Stay away from the ends of containers. Firefighters should wear a full set of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving chloroacetone.

EXPOSURE LIMITS

* OSHA PEL

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently regulate chloroacetone.

* NIOSH REL

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does not currently have a recommended exposure limit for chloroacetone.

* ACGIH TLV

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned chloroacetone a ceiling limit value of 1.0 part per million (ppm) parts of air (3.8 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3))), which should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. The ACGIH also assigns chloroacetone a "Skin" notation, which indicates that the cutaneous route of exposure (including mucous membranes and eyes) contributes to overall exposure [ACGIH 1994, p. 16].

* Rationale for Limits

The ACGIH limit is based on the risk of irritation [ACGIH 1991, p. 262].

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

* Routes of Exposure

Exposure to chloroacetone can occur through inhalation, ingestion, eye and skin contact, and absorption through the skin.

* Summary of toxicology

1. Effects on Animals: Chloroacetone is a severe irritant of the eyes and lungs in experimental animals [ACGIH 1991; Genium 1990]. The dermal LD(50) in rabbits is 141 mg/kg [NIOSH 1994]. The 1-hr LC(50) in rats is 262 ppm [NIOSH 1994]. The oral LD(50) in rats is 100 mg/kg [NIOSH 1994]. Rats exposed to average chloroacetone concentrations of 15 ppm for 11 days showed congestion of the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and spleen at autopsy [Genium 1990]. Chloroacetone was mutagenic in an in vivo test system but tested negative in five strains of Salmonella [ACGIH 1991].

2. Effects on Humans: Chloroacetone is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin in humans [Parmeggiani 1983]. At concentrations between 5 and 8 ppm chloroacetone causes lacrimation [Grant 1986]. A concentration of 26-ppm chloroacetone is intolerable after 1 minute of exposure because of the severity of irritation to the mucous membranes [Grant 1986]. When used as a war gas, a chloroacetone concentration of 605 ppm was lethal after 10 minutes of exposure [ACGIH 1991]. Dermal exposure to chloroacetone caused blistering of the skin [ACGIH 1991].

* Signs and symptoms of exposure

1. Acute exposure: The signs and symptoms of acute exposure to chloroacetone are tearing of the eyes, coughing, and redness and blistering of the skin.

2. Chronic exposure: No signs or symptoms of chronic exposure to chloroacetone have been reported in humans.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES

* Emergency medical procedures: [NIOSH to supply]

5. Rescue: Remove an incapacitated worker from further exposure and implement appropriate emergency procedures (e.g., those listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200]). All workers should be familiar with emergency procedures, the location and proper use of emergency equipment, and methods of protecting themselves during rescue operations.

EXPOSURE SOURCES AND CONTROL METHODS

The following operations may involve chloroacetone and lead to worker exposures to this substance:

* The manufacture and transportation of chloroacetone

* Manufacture of couplers for color photography

* Use as a photosensitizer in polyester/vinyl polymerization

* Use as a fungicide, bactericide, and insecticide

* Use by police and military personnel as a tear gas

* Use as an intermediate in the production of antioxidants, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals

* Use as an enzyme inactivator

* Use in organic synthesis

Methods that are effective in controlling worker exposures to chloroacetone, depending on the feasibility of implementation, are as follows:

* Process enclosure
* Local exhaust ventilation
* General dilution ventilation
* Personal protective equipment

Workers responding to a release or potential release of a hazardous substance must be protected as required by paragraph (q) of OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard [29 CFR 1910.120].

Good sources of information about control methods are as follows:

1. ACGIH [1992]. Industrial ventilation--a manual of recommended practice. 21st ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

2. Burton DJ [1986]. Industrial ventilation--a self study companion. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

3. Alden JL, Kane JM [1982]. Design of industrial ventilation systems. New York, NY: Industrial Press, Inc.

4. Wadden RA, Scheff PA [1987]. Engineering design for control of workplace hazards. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

5. Plog BA [1988]. Fundamentals of industrial hygiene. Chicago, IL: National Safety Council.

WORKPLACE MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT

No method for the determination of a worker's exposure to airborne chloroacetone has been published.

PERSONAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES

If chloroacetone contacts the skin, workers should flush the affected areas immediately with flooding amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, followed by washing with soap and water.

Clothing contaminated with chloroacetone should be removed immediately (speed in removing clothing contaminated with chloroacetone is extremely important), and provisions should be made for the safe removal of the chemical from the clothing. Persons laundering the clothes should be informed of the hazardous properties of chloroacetone, particularly its potential for causing skin burns.

A worker who handles chloroacetone should thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before eating, using tobacco products, using toilet facilities, applying cosmetics, or taking medication.

Workers should not eat, drink, use tobacco products, apply cosmetics, or take medication in areas where chloroacetone or a solution containing chloroacetone is handled, processed, or stored.

STORAGE

Chloroacetone should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly sealed containers that are labeled in accordance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200]. Containers of chloroacetone should be protected from physical damage, light, and sources of ignition and should be stored separately from oxidizers, alkalies, and sodium ethoxide.

SPILLS AND LEAKS

In the event of a spill or leak involving chloroacetone, persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from contaminated areas until cleanup has been completed. The following steps should be undertaken following a spill or leak:

1. Do not touch the spilled material; stop the leak if it is possible to do so without risk.

2. Notify safety personnel.

3. Remove all sources of heat and ignition.

4. Use water spray to reduce vapors.

5. For small liquid spills, take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into closed containers for later disposal.

6. For large liquid spills, build dikes far ahead of the spill to contain the chloroacetone for later reclamation or disposal.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for emergency planning, reportable quantities of hazardous releases, community right-to-know, and hazardous waste management may change over time. Users are therefore advised to determine periodically whether new information is available.

* Emergency planning requirements

Chloroacetone is not subject to EPA emergency planning requirements under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (Title III) in 42 USC 11022.

* Reportable quantity requirements for hazardous releases

Employers are not required by the emergency release notification provisions in 40 CFR Part 355.40 to notify the National Response Center of an accidental release of chloroacetone; there is no reportable quantity for this substance.

* Community right-to-know requirements

Employers are not required by EPA in 40 CFR Part 372.30 to submit a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory form (Form R) to EPA reporting the amount of chloroacetone emitted or released from their facility annually.

* Hazardous waste management requirements

EPA considers a waste to be hazardous if it exhibits any of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity as defined in 40 CFR 261.21-261.24. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) [40 USC 6901 et seq.], EPA has specifically listed many chemical wastes as hazardous. Although chloroacetone is not specifically listed as a hazardous waste under RCRA, EPA requires employers to treat waste as hazardous if it exhibits any of the characteristics discussed above.

Providing detailed information about the removal and disposal of specific chemicals is beyond the scope of this guideline. The U.S. Department of Transportation, EPA, and State and local regulations should be followed to ensure that removal, transport, and disposal of this substance are conducted in accordance with existing regulations. To be certain that chemical waste disposal meets EPA regulatory requirements, employers should address any questions to the RCRA hotline at (703) 412-9810 (in the Washington, D.C. area) or toll-free at (800) 424-9346 (outside Washington, D.C.). In addition, relevant State and local authorities should be contacted for information on any requirements they may have for the waste removal and disposal of this substance.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

* Conditions for respirator use

Good industrial hygiene practice requires that engineering controls be used where feasible to reduce workplace concentrations of hazardous materials to the prescribed exposure limit. However, some situations may require the use of respirators to control exposure. Respirators must be worn if the ambient concentration of chloroacetone exceeds prescribed exposure limits. Respirators may be used (1) before engineering controls have been installed, (2) during work operations such as maintenance or repair activities that involve unknown exposures, (3) during operations that require entry into tanks or closed vessels, and (4) during emergencies. Workers should only use respirators that have been approved by NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

* Respiratory protection program

Employers should institute a complete respiratory protection program that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [29 CFR 1910.134]. Such a program must include respirator selection, an evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator, the regular training of personnel, respirator fit testing, periodic workplace monitoring, and regular respirator maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. The implementation of an adequate respiratory protection program (including selection of the correct respirator) requires that a knowledgeable person be in charge of the program and that the program be evaluated regularly. For additional information on the selection and use of respirators and on the medical screening of respirator users, consult the latest edition of the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic [NIOSH 1987b] and the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection [NIOSH 1987a].

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Workers should use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment that must be carefully selected, used, and maintained to be effective in preventing skin contact with chloroacetone. The selection of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, sleeves, encapsulating suits) should be based on the extent of the worker's potential exposure to chloroacetone. The resistance of various materials to permeation by chloroacetone is shown below:

To evaluate the use of these materials with chloroacetone, users should consult the best available performance data and manufacturers' recommendations. Significant differences have been demonstrated in the chemical resistance of generically similar PPE materials (e.g., butyl) produced by different manufacturers. In addition, the chemical resistance of a mixture may be significantly different from that of any of its neat components.

Any chemical-resistant clothing that is used should be periodically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in preventing dermal contact. Safety showers and eye wash stations should be located close to operations that involve chloroacetone.

Splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shields (20 to 30 cm long, minimum) should be worn during any operation in which a solvent, caustic, or other toxic substance may be splashed into the eyes.

In addition to the possible need for wearing protective outer apparel (e.g., aprons, encapsulating suits), workers should wear work uniforms, coveralls, or similar full-body coverings that are laundered each day. Employers should provide lockers or other closed areas to store work and street clothing separately. Employers should collect work clothing at the end of each work shift and provide for its laundering. Laundry personnel should be informed about the potential hazards of handling contaminated clothing and instructed about measures to minimize their health risk.

Protective clothing should be kept free of oil and grease and should be inspected and maintained regularly to preserve its effectiveness.

Protective clothing may interfere with the body's heat dissipation, especially during hot weather or during work in hot or poorly ventilated work environments.

REFERENCES

ACGIH [1994]. 1994-1995 Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

ACGIH [1991]. Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

CFR. Code of Federal regulations. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register.

DOT [1993]. 1993 Emergency response guidebook, guide 56. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Hazardous Materials Transportation, Research and Special Programs Administration.

Forsberg K, Mansdorf SZ [1993]. Quick selection guide to chemical protective clothing. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Genium [1990]. Material safety data sheet No. 732. Schenectady, NY: Genium Publishing Corporation.

Grant WM [1986]. Toxicology of the eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

Hathaway GJ, Proctor NH, Hughes JP, and Fischman ML [1991]. Proctor and Hughes' chemical hazards of the workplace. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Lewis RJ, ed. [1993]. Hawley's condensed chemical dictionary. 12th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.

Lide DR [1993]. CRC handbook of chemistry and physics. 73rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.

Mickelsen RL, Hall RC [1987]. A breakthrough time comparison of nitrile and neoprene glove materials produced by different glove manufacturers. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 48(11): 941-947.

Mickelsen RL, Hall RC, Chern RT, Myers JR [1991]. Evaluation of a simple weight-loss method for determining the permeation of organic liquids through rubber films. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 52(10): 445-447.

NIOSH [1987a]. NIOSH guide to industrial respiratory protection. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-116.

NIOSH [1987b]. NIOSH respirator decision logic. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-108.

NIOSH [1994]. Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances: Chloroacetone. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Standards Development and Technology Transfer, Technical Information Branch.

NLM [1994]. Hazardous substances data bank: Chloro- acetone. Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine.

Sax NI, Lewis RJ [1989]. Dangerous properties of industrial materials. 7th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.

Windholz M, ed. [1983]. Merck Index 10th ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck & Company.