Common Name: Anthracene
CAS Number: 120-12-7
DOT Number: None
Date: August 1, 1987
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Anthracene can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin.
* Anthracene may cause mutations. Handle with extreme caution.
* Skin contact can cause irritation or a skin allergy which is
greatly aggravated by sunlight on contaminated skin. Repeated
contact can cause thickening, pigment changes and skin
growths.
* Breathing irritates the nose, throat and bronchial tubes.
* Eye contact or "fume" exposure can cause irritation. This
reaction can also be greatly aggravated by sunlight during or
shortly after exposure.
IDENTIFICATION
Anthracene is a colorless to pale yellow crystalline (sugar or sand
like) material with a bluish fluorescence. It is used in dye
stuffs, insecticides and wood preservatives.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Anthracene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
cited by DEP and NFPA.
* 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
Anthracene. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful.
Safe work practices should always be followed.
It should be recognized that Anthracene can be absorbed through
your skin, thereby increasing your exposure.
* Anthracene may cause mutations. All contact with this chemical
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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene:
* Direct contact or exposure to heated "fumes" can cause red
eyes, irritation of the bronchial tubes, nose and throat and
skin irritation, redness and possibly swelling.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Anthracene and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* Anthracene may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living
cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard
needs further study and in fact, there is limited evidence
that at high doses, Anthracene causes cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Anthracene has not been tested
for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Exposure can cause an allergy of the eyes or skin which is
greatly aggravated by sunlight exposure to contaminated skin
or sunlight on eyes during or shortly after exposure.
* Repeated skin exposure can cause patchy areas of increased
yellow brown pigment changes, loss of skin pigment, thinning
or patchy thickening of skin, skin warts, skin cancer and
pimples.
* Repeated breathing of "fumes", especially from heated
Anthracene, may cause a chronic bronchitis with cough and
phlegm.
* Repeated exposure of the male scrotum can cause skin thinning
and increased pigment.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the
following are recommended:
* Examine your skin periodically for growths or changes in warts
or moles. Skin cancers are usually easily curable when removed
early.
* Lung function tests.
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 skin
allergy.
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
* Anthracene also often contains Acridine as a contaminant.
Acridine also causes skin and eye allergies, like Anthracene,
and irritates the skin, eyes and air passages.
* 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.
Conditions Made Worse By Exposure
* Avoid direct sunlight exposure to contaminated skin before
careful washing or to eyes during or shortly after exposure.
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 Anthracene 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 Anthracene
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to
Anthracene.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Anthracene, immediately wash or shower to
remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any
areas of the body that may have contacted Anthracene, whether
or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Anthracene 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 clean up.
DO NOT DRY SWEEP.
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 Anthracene. 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 dust proof goggles and face shield when working with
powders or dust, 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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Anthracene does not occur.
* Where the potential for exposures to Anthracene exists, 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: Anthracene
DOT Number: None
DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation
CAS Number: 120-12-7
----------------------------------------
NJ DOH Hazard rating
FLAMMABILITY 1
REACTIVITY Not Found
----------------------------------------
COMBUSTIBLE SOLID
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Anthracene is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Anthracene is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until cleanup 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 Anthracene as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for
specific recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Anthracene you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Anthracene must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG
OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE), CHROMIC
ACID and CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE since violent reactions occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Anthracene 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.
Skin Contact
* Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap
and water.
Antidotes and Special Procedures
* Sun screening lotions or creams which have strong ability to
screen ultraviolet light can help prevent skin allergic
reactions. (These may need frequent reapplications if you are
sweating). Ultraviolet screening sunglasses can help with eye
allergic reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist in
selecting these.
PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg at 145oF
Flash Point: 250oF
Water Solubility: Insoluble
OTHER NAMES AND FORMULATIONS:
Anthracin; Green Oil; Paranaphthalene.
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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
Anthracene is a naturally occurring compound found in coal-tar and
formed during the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. It
is one of the compounds constituting the diverse class of compounds
known as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Its principal
use is in the manufacture of dyestuffs. Due to its widespread
occurrence in nature and its use in the dye industries, anthracene
enter the environment from non-point sources, as well as industrial
and municipal discharges.
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.
Anthracene has high acute toxicity to aquatic life and to birds.
It showed no effect of corn root size or respiration in one study.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the
short-term effects of anthracene to birds or 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.
Anthracene has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient
data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of
anthracene to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Anthracene is slightly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1
milligram or less will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Anthracene is moderately persistent in water, with a half- life of
between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount
of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
About 77.5% of anthracene will eventually end up in air; about 9.5%
will end up in terrestrial soil; about 9% in aquatic sediments; and
the rest 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 anthracene found in fish tissues is expected
to be much higher than the average concentration of anthracene in
the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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