Common Name: Barium Chlorate
CAS Number: 13477-00-4
DOT Number: UN 1445
Date: August 1, 1987
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Barium Chlorate can affect you when breathed in.
* Contact may burn the eyes and skin.
* Breathing the dust or mist can irritate the nose, throat and
bronchial tubes.
* After repeated exposure, Barium may show up as spots in the
lungs on chest x-ray.
* Some Barium chemicals are contaminated with silica, which
scars the lungs.
* Chlorates can damage red blood cells, leading to kidney
damage, or cause methemoglobin to form in the blood, reducing
Oxygen supply to body organs.
* Barium Chlorate is a REACTIVE chemical and is an EXPLOSION
HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
Barium Chlorate is a white powder or crystalline (sugar or sand-
like) material. It is used in fireworks, explosives, textile dyeing
and to make other chlorates.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Barium Chlorate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and NFPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is REACTIVE.
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 soluble Barium
compounds.
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3
averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
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 Barium Chlorate.
* 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 Barium Chlorate 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 Barium Chlorate:
* Skin or eye contact causes severe irritation and even burns.
* Breathing the dust or mist can irritate the nose, throat and
bronchial tubes, causing cough and phlegm.
* Higher or repeated exposure can damage red blood cells.
Symptoms may be delayed, and include headaches, weakness,
abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice. This can lead to
kidney damage.
* Overexposure to Chlorates can cause the blood's hemoglobin to
change to met-hemoglobin, reducing the Oxygen supply to body
organs. This can make the skin turn blue.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Barium Chlorate and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Barium Chlorate has not been
tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Barium Chlorate has not been
tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other
Long-Term Effects
* Repeated exposure may cause Barium to show up as spots in the
lungs on a chest x-ray. This usually takes 1 to 2 years to
develop and can remain for years after exposure. It is not in
itself believed to affect lung function but chronic cough from
dust irritation could affect lung function.
* Repeated skin contact can cause chronic dryness and cracking.
* Kidney damage can result from high or repeated exposures which
damage red blood cells.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Lung function tests.
* Complete blood count.
* Test for methemoglobin.
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
* Industrial grade Barium compounds may be contaminated with
Silica. Exposure to such dust can lead to gradual lung
scarring (which may look similar on chest x-ray to Barium
alone) and reduced lung function. Find out whether your Barium
Chlorate is contaminated with Silica.
* 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.
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 Barium Chlorate 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 Barium
Chlorate should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Barium
Chlorate.
* On skin contact with Barium Chlorate, immediately wash or
shower to remove the chemical.
* 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 Barium Chlorate. 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 splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when
working with liquids containing Barium Chlorate, unless full
facepiece respiratory protection is worn.
* 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 equipped with
particulate (dust/fume/ mist) filters. Particulate filters
must be checked every day before work for physical damage,
such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Barium Chlorate, 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.
* Where the potential for high exposures exists, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full face-
piece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full
facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode.
* Exposure to 250 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposures above 250 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.
Common Name: Barium Chlorate
DOT Number: UN 1445
DOT Emergency Guide code: 42
CAS Number: 13477-00-4
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NJ DOH Hazard rating
FLAMMABILITY 0
REACTIVITY 2
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* May explode when heated. Contact with combustible, organic, or
other easily oxidizable materials, such as paper, oil, fuels
or sawdust can cause fires. Rubbing of theses mixtures can
cause explosions.
* Use water to extinguish the fire.
* POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Barium Chlorate is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
* Collect solid material in the most convenient and safe manner
and deposit in sealed containers.
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
non-organic material and deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Barium Chlorate
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.
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FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Barium Chlorate you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of 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.
PHYSICAL DATA
Water Solubility: Soluble
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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
(609) 984-2202
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Barium is a yellowish-white solid which exists in a variety of salt
forms. Barium and its salts have a wide variety of applications,
including uses in nuclear reactors, electronic tubes, as additives
in lubricating oils, in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and
explosives, in tanning and finishing leathers, as a mordant for
fabrics and dyes, in electroplating, aluminum refining, and rubber
manufacture; and in the production of paints and enamels. Barium
may enter the environment from industrial and municipal waste
treatment plant 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.
Barium and its salts have moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-
term effects of barium or its salts 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.
Barium and its salts have moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic
life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the
long-term effects of barium or its salts to plants, birds, or land
animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Most of the barium salts are either highly or moderately soluble in
water. Concentrations of 1 to 1,000 milligrams and more will mix
with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Barium is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater 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 barium found in fish tissues is expected to be
about the same as the average concentration of in the water from
which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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