Common Name: Acetamide
CAS Number: 60-35-5
DOT Number: None
Date: January, 1989
-----------------------------------------
HAZARD SUMMARY
* Acetamide can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin.
* Repeated exposure may damage the liver.
* Exposure to Acetamide can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
IDENTIFICATION
Acetamide is a colorless, crystalline (sand like) material. It is
used in lacquers, explosives, and soldering flux, and as a
stabilizer, plasticizer and solvent.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Acetamide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
cited by EPA.
* Definitions are attached.
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
No occupational exposure limits have been established for
Acetamide. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful.
Safe work practices should always be followed.
* It should be recognized that Acetamide can be absorbed through
your skin, thereby increasing your exposure.
* Acetamide may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe
level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be
reduced to the lowest possible level.
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 Acetamide 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 Acetamide 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 Acetamide:
* Exposure to Acetamide 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 Acetamide and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* There is limited evidence that Acetamide causes cancer in
animals. It may cause liver, lung and stomach cancer.
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for
causing reproductive damage in humans.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Acetamide has been tested and has
not adversely affected reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Repeated exposure may damage the liver.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Liver function tests.
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.
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 liquid Acetamide 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 Acetamide
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
Acetamide.
* On skin contact with Acetamide, immediately wash or shower to
remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any
areas of the body that may have contacted Acetamide, whether
or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Acetamide is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. DO
NOT DRY SWEEP.
* When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA)
filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum.
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 Acetamide. 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
* Eye protection is included in the recommended respiratory
protection.
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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Acetamide does not occur.
* At any exposure level, 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.
Common Name: Acetamide
DOT Number: None
DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation
CAS Number: 60-35-5
----------------------------------------
Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY 1 Not Rated
REACTIVITY 0 Not Rated
----------------------------------------
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Acetamide is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen
Oxide.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Acetamide is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until clean up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Acetamide as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Acetamide you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Acetamide is not compatible with STRONG ACIDS (such as
HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC), STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as
CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM
HYDROXIDE), and STRONG REDUCING AGENTS.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Acetamide is used, handled, or stored in a
manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
FIRST AID
POISON INFORMATION
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention.
Skin Contact
* Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap
and water.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 149oF (65oC)
Water Solubility: Soluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Other Names and Formulations:
Acetimidic Acid; Ethanamide.
------------------------------------------
Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acetamide is a colorless crystalline solid. It is used as a
general solvent for both inorganic and organic compounds, a
solubilizer, a plasticizer, an antacid in the lacquer, explosives
and cosmetics industries, a stabilizer in peroxides, and in the
synthesis of organic chemicals such as methylamine and
thioacetamide. It may enter the environment from industrial
discharges or spills.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
Acetamide has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life and high acute
toxicity to birds. It has caused germination decrease and size
decrease in several agricultural crops. Insufficient data are
available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of
acetamide to land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic
chemical.
Acetamide has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of acetamide to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Acetamide is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000
milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Acetamide is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of
between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount
of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
Virtually 100% of acetamide will end up in the water.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of acetamide found in fish tissues is expected to
be about the same as the average concentration of acetamide in the
water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
.....................................................................
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
![[ NDCRT ]](/pix/ndcrt.gif){kind=small}
About NDCRT
