Common Name: Antimony
CAS Number: 7440-36-0
DOT Number: UN 2871
Date: August 1, 1987
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Antimony can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin.
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Very
high levels could cause Antimony poisoning, with symptoms of
nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, trouble breathing and
death.
* Repeated exposure can cause an abnormal chest x ray to develop
and can also damage the heart and liver.
* Prolonged or repeated contact can cause skin, nose and mouth
ulcers or sores.
* If used near acid, a deadly gas can be formed.
IDENTIFICATION
Antimony is a silvery or gray, shiny metal or yellow crystal. It is
used to make metal alloys, enamels, rubber compounds and matches.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Antimony is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and DEP.
* 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
These exposure limits are recommended for Antimony and compounds
(and measured as Stibine).
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3
averaged over a 10 hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3
averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air
levels are less than the limits listed above.
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 Antimony 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 Antimony 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.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Antimony:
* Exposure can cause metallic taste, nausea, sore throat and
irritation of the air passages. Higher levels can cause
congestion of the lungs and may make the heart beat
irregularly or stop.
* Skin contact causes irritation. Repeated or prolonged contact
causes an itchy rash.
* Eye contact causes irritation.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Antimony and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Antimony has not been tested for
its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* There is limited evidence that Antimony may decrease fertility
in females.
Other Long Term Effects
* Repeated exposure can cause headaches, poor appetite, dry
throat and loss of sleep. Damage to the liver and heart
muscle, with abnormal EKG, may also occur, especially with
higher or frequent exposures.
* Years after first exposure, changes can occur on chest x ray.
At this time these are not thought to be harmful but more
research is needed.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for
those with frequent or potentially high exposures, the following is
recommended:
* Urine test for Antimony (and for Arsenic if Arsenic
contamination is suspected).
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* EKG.
* Liver function tests.
* Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure.
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
* Commercial Antimony is often contaminated with Arsenic, a
toxic chemical and carcinogen.
* Use of Antimony near acid or acid mist can cause release of a
deadly gas, Stibine.
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:
* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this
chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document:
Antimony #78 216.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Antimony
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Antimony.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Antimony, immediately wash or shower to
remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any
areas of the body that may have contacted Antimony, whether or
not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Antimony 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 Antimony. 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.
* Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.5 mg/m3, use
a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with a high
efficiency particulate filter. Greater protection is provided
by a powered air purifying respirator.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Antimony, or in the
case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye
irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the
respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the
filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good,
you may need a new respirator.
* Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace.
You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges,
or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical
(such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
* Exposure to 80 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposures above 80 mg/m3 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 Antimony you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Antimony must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such
as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and
NITRATES) HALOGENS (such as CHLORINE and BROMINE), BROMINE
TRIFLUORIDE, CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE, CHLORIC ACID, CHLORINE
MONOXIDE, BROMOAZIDE and NITRIC ACID since violent reactions
occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area away from HEAT and ACIDS. Contact with acids will produce
the deadly gas Stibine.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Antimony is used, handled, or stored in a
manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
Common Name: Antimony
DOT Number: UN 2871
DOT Emergency Guide code: 53
CAS Number: 7440-36-0
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NJ DOH Hazard rating
FLAMMABILITY Not Found
REACTIVITY Not Found
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COMBUSTIBLE SOLID
DO NOT USE WATER
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Antimony is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID.
* Use dry chemicals appropriate for extinguishing metal fires.
DO NOT USE WATER.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Antimony Oxide
and Stibine.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Antimony is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until cleanup is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Ventilate area of spill.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Antimony as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for
specific recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
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
* Promptly remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin
with water.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Medical observation
for one or two days is recommended with overexposure, as lung
or heart effects may be delayed.
PHYSICAL DATA
Water Solubility: Insoluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
Antimony
Other Names and Formulations:
Stibium.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Antimony is an element which occurs naturally in the environment as
a component of certain minerals. As antimony oxide, it is added to
various materials as a flame retardant. Antimony may occur in the
aquatic environment from natural weathering of mineral formations,
from mining and manufacturing effluents, and from municipal wastes.
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.
Antimony has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are
available on the short-term effects of antimony to plants, 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.
Antimony has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are
available on the long-term effects of antimony to plants, birds, or
land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Antimony and its salts have solubilities in water ranging from low
to high.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Antimony is highly persistent in water with a half-life of longer
than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time
it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
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 antimony found in fish tissues is expected to
be about the same as the average concentration of antimony in the
water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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