Common Name: Barium
CAS Number: 7440-39-3
DOT Number: UN 1400 Non-Powder/UN 1854 Powder
Date: January, 1986
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Barium can affect you when breathed in.
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
* Repeated high exposures can irritate the lungs, causing cough
and phlegm, and may cause an abnormal chest x-ray.
* Very high exposures (such as swallowing or extremely high dust
exposure) can cause Barium poisoning with symptoms of
vomiting, and diarrhea, irregular heart beat, paralysis, and
death.
IDENTIFICATION
Barium is a silver white or yellowish metal powder. It is used in
spark plugs, engine rod bearings and to remove gas from vacuum
tubes.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Barium is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and EPA.
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
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift.
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 at the end of the work-shift.
* 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 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:
* Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and
may cause coughing.
* Contact may damage the eyes.
* Very high exposures could cause Barium poisoning with symptoms
of vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, paralysis, and
death.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Barium and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Barium 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 has not been tested for
its ability to affect reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Repeated exposure can cause an abnormal chest x-ray. This
usually takes years to develop. An abnormal chest x-ray from
Barium does not mean the lung has been damaged but very
irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known
whether Barium causes lung damage.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater), the following are recommended before beginning work
and at regular times after that:
* Lung 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.
Mixed Exposures
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. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce
hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Barium powder
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
powder.
* Wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Barium at
the end of each work day, whether or not known skin contact
has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Barium is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Do not dry sweep for clean-up. Use a vacuum or a wet method to
reduce dust during clean-up.
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. 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 when working with powders or dust,
unless full face-piece 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 to Barium Dust, use
a MSHA/NIOSH approved 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, 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
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.
* 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.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Barium you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Explosion risk varies with type of Barium compound.
* Barium must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG ACIDS (such
as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC, and NITRIC) and HALOGENATED
HYDROCARBONS since violent reactions occur.
* Store Barium powder in sealed containers under an inert gas or
oxygen-free petroleum liquid away from water, oxidizers, acids
or ammonia.
* Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are
prohibited where Barium powder is handled, used, or stored.
* Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when
opening and closing containers of Barium powder.
Common Name: Barium
DOT Number: UN 1400 Non Powder/UN 1854 Powder
DOT Emergency Guide code: 40/37
CAS Number: 7440-39-3
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY 3 Not Rated
REACTIVITY 2 Not Rated
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DO NOT USE WATER
POWDER MAY IGNITE SPONTANEOUSLY IN AIR
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
* Barium POWDER is a flammable solid.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN EXTINGUISHED.
* Powder may ignite spontaneously in air.
* Use dry chemicals appropriate for extinguishing metal fires.
* Do not use water.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Barium 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. Do not use water.
* Keep Barium out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because
of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is
designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Barium as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your 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.
==========================================
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue
without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting
upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact
* Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin with soap
and 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
Vapor Pressure: 10 mm Hg at 1922oF (1050oC)
Flash Point: Barium powder may ignite at room temperature
Water Solubility: Insoluble (decomposes)
CHEMICAL NAME
Barium
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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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