Varies

(For Structure, see paper copy)

Dry-cleaners' naphtha, light naphtha, ligroin, refined solvent naphtha, spotting naphtha

1. CAS No.: 8032-32-4 (or 8031-06-9)

2. RTECS No.: OI6180000

3. DOT UN: 1255 27

4. DOT label: Flammable liquid

VM & P naphtha is refined petroleum solvent which is a colorless to light yellow, flammable and explosive liquid with an aromatic odor. VM & P naphtha is commercially available in at least three distinct compositions with varying boiling points and flash points. It contains varying amounts of saturated, aromatic, and olefinic hydrocarbons, and typically includes less than one percent benzene. An odor threshold of 0.89 part per million (ppm) parts of air has been reported.

1. Molecular weight: 87 to 114

2. Boiling point (at 760 mm Hg): 95 to 160 degrees C (203 to 320 degrees F)

3. Specific gravity (water = 1): 0.85 to 0.87 at 15.6 degrees C (60 degrees F)

4. Vapor density: Data not available.

5. Melting/Freezing point: Data not available.

6. Vapor pressure at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F): 2 to 20 mm Hg

7. Solubility: Insoluble in water.

8. Evaporation rate: Data not available.

1. Conditions contributing to instability: Heat, sparks, open flames, and other ignition sources.

2. Incompatibilities: Contact between VM & P naphtha and strong oxidizers such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine should be avoided.

3. Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may be released in a fire involving VM & P naphtha.

4. Special precautions: None reported.

The National Fire Protection Association has assigned a flammability rating of 4 (severe fire hazard) to VM & P naphtha.

1. Flash point: -7 to 13 degrees C (20 to 55 degrees F) (closed cup)

2. Autoignition temperature: 288 degrees C (550 degrees F)

3. Flammable limits in air (percent by volume): Lower, 1.2; upper, 6.0

4. Extinguishant: For small fires use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or regular foam. Use water spray, fog, or regular foam to fight large fires involving VM & P naphtha.

Fires involving VM & P naphtha should be fought upwind from the maximum distance possible. Keep unnecessary people away; isolate the hazard area and deny entry. Isolate the area for 1/2 mile in all directions if a tank, rail car, or tank truck is involved in the fire. 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. Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapors are an explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Containers of VM & P naphtha 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. Personnel should withdraw immediately if a rising sound from a venting safety device is heard or if there is discoloration of a container due to fire. Firefighters should wear a full set of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving VM & P naphtha.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not currently regulate VM & P naphtha.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a recommended exposure limit (REL) for VM & P naphtha of 350 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3)) of air() as a TWA for up to a 10-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and 1800 mg/m(3) as a 15-minute ceiling limit [NIOSH 1992].

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned VM & P naphtha a threshold limit value (TLV) of 300 ppm (1370 mg/m(3)) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek [ACGIH 1994, p. 36].

The NIOSH limit is based on the risk of eye, nose, and throat irritation, dermatitis, and nervous system effects [NIOSH 1992].

The ACGIH limit is based on the risk of irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory tract, and nervous system effects [ACGIH 1991, p. 1721].

Exposure to VM & P naphtha can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact.

1. Effects on Animals: VM & P naphtha causes central nervous system depression and is a skin irritant in experimental animals; related petroleum middle distillate have caused skin tumors in mice. The 4-hour LC(50) in rats is 3400 ppm [ACGIH 1991]. Rats lost coordination and developed convulsions within 15 minutes of exposure at 15,000 ppm [NIOSH 1991]. No adverse effects were observed in dogs exposed to 500 ppm VM & P naphtha for 30 hours/week for 13 weeks (65 days) [ACGIH 1991]. Middle distillates containing no detectable polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were inactive as mutagens in the Ames assay. The genotoxic potential of these compounds is linked to their polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon content [ACGIH 1991]. Topical application of petroleum middle distillates to mice was associated with severe skin irritation and a significant increase in squamous cell carcinomas [ACGIH 1991]. Topical application of middle distillate naphtha containing no polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons 3 days/week or 6 weeks to mice was associated local necrosis, ulceration, and marked regenerative epidermal hyperplasia [ACGIH 1991].

2. Effects on Humans: VM & P naphtha is an eye and upper respiratory tract irritant and central nervous system depressant in humans. The principal systemic effect of VM & P naphtha is central nervous system depression [ACGIH 1991]. Volunteers exposed to 880 ppm VM & P naphtha for 15 minutes experienced irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes with temporary olfactory fatigue [Clayton and Clayton 1981]. 18 of 19 workers exposed to high concentrations of VM & P naphtha complained of labored breathing, and two were cyanotic and experienced general excitation, tremors, nausea, and hyperactivity [Clayton and Clayton 1981].

1. Acute exposure: Acute exposure to VM & P naphtha can result in coughing, choking, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, nausea, narcosis, or coma. Eye contact will cause irritation and skin contact causes defatting, irritation, and dermatitis. Ingestion may result in spontaneous vomiting with possible aspiration into the lungs which could result in pulmonary edema.

2. Chronic exposure: No signs or symptoms of chronic exposure to VM & P naphtha have been reported in humans.

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.

Workers who may be exposed to chemical hazards should be monitored in a systematic program of medical surveillance that is intended to prevent occupational injury and disease. The program should include education of employers and workers about work-related hazards, early detection of adverse health effects, and referral of workers for diagnosis and treatment. The occurrence of disease or other work-related adverse health effects should prompt immediate evaluation of primary preventive measures (e.g., industrial hygiene monitoring, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment). A medical surveillance program is intended to supplement, not replace, such measures. To detect and control work-related health effects, medical evaluations should be performed (1) before job placement, (2) periodically during the term of employment, and (3) at the time of job transfer or termination.

Before a worker is placed in a job with a potential for exposure to VM & P naphtha, a licensed health care professional should evaluate and document the worker's baseline health status with thorough medical, environmental, and occupational histories, a physical examination, and physiologic and laboratory tests appropriate for the anticipated occupational risks. These should concentrate on the function and integrity of the skin, eyes, respiratory system, and central nervous system (if benzene is present this should include the hematopoietic system). Medical surveillance for respiratory disease should be conducted using the principles and methods recommended by the American Thoracic Society.

A preplacement medical evaluation is recommended to assess medical conditions that may be aggravated or may result in increased risk when a worker is exposed to VM & P naphtha at or below the prescribed exposure limit. The health care professional should consider the probable frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure as well as the nature and degree of any applicable medical condition. Such conditions (which should not be regarded as absolute contraindications to job placement) include a history and other findings consistent with diseases of the skin, eyes, respiratory system, or central nervous system (if benzene is present this should include the hematopoietic system).

Occupational health interviews and physical examinations should be performed at regular intervals during the employment period, as mandated by any applicable Federal, State, or local standard. Where no standard exists and the hazard is minimal, evaluations should be conducted every 3 to 5 years or as frequently as recommended by an experienced occupational health physician. Additional examinations may be necessary if a worker develops symptoms attributable to VM & P naphtha exposure. The interviews, examinations, and medical screening tests should focus on identifying the adverse effects of VM & P naphtha on the skin, eyes, respiratory system, or central nervous system (if benzene is present this should include the hematopoietic system). Current health status should be compared with the baseline health status of the individual worker or with expected values for a suitable reference population.

The medical, environmental, and occupational history interviews, the physical examination, and selected physiologic or laboratory tests that were conducted at the time of placement should be repeated at the time of job transfer or termination to determine the worker's medical status at the end of his or her employment. Any changes in the worker's health status should be compared with those expected for a suitable reference population.

Biological monitoring involves sampling and analyzing body tissues or fluids to provide an index of exposure to a toxic substance or metabolite. No biological monitoring test acceptable for routine use has yet been developed for VM & P naphtha.

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

A hazardous substance release is defined by EPA as any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of contaminated containers) of hazardous substances. In the event of a release that is above the reportable quantity for that chemical, employers are required to notify the proper Federal, State, and local authorities [40 CFR 355.40].

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 VM & P naphtha; there is no reportable quantity for this substance.

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 VM & P naphtha emitted or released from their facility annually.

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 VM & P naphtha 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.

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 VM & P naphtha 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).

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].