n-Butyl Alcohol Material Safety Data Sheet
Common Name: n-Butyl Alcohol CAS Number: 71-36-3 DOT Number: UN 1120 Date: February, 1989
HAZARD SUMMARY
* n-Butyl Alcohol can affect you when breathed in and can also
rapidly pass through your skin.
* Exposure can cause eye irritation and headaches. Irritation of
the nose and throat may also occur. Higher levels may cause
you to become dizzy and lightheaded and to pass out.
* Exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, hearing and the sense
of balance.
* n-Butyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
n-Butyl Alcohol is a colorless liquid with a strong odor. It is
used as a solvent for fats, waxes, shellac, resins, gums, and
varnish.
REASON FOR CITATION
* n-Butyl Alcohol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NFPA, DOT and EPA.
* This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance
List because it is FLAMMABLE.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA
1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling
results from your employer. 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.
* ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.1 ppm.
* The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not
smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 50
ppm not to be exceeded at any time.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 50 ppm which
should not be exceeded at any time.
* 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 n-Butyl Alcohol
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 n-Butyl Alcohol 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 n-Butyl Alcohol:
* Contact can irritate the skin, causing a rash or burning
feeling.
* Exposure can cause headaches and irritate the eyes. It can
also irritate the nose and throat. Higher levels may cause you
to become dizzy, lightheaded and to pass out.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to n-Butyl Alcohol and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, n-Butyl Alcohol 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, n-Butyl Alcohol has not been
tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* Repeated contact may cause drying and cracking of the skin.
* n-Butyl Alcohol can damage the hearing and sense of balance.
* Exposure may damage the liver and kidneys.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are
recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
* Liver and kidney function tests.
* Hearing test (audiogram) and test for balance.
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 more than light alcohol consumption can cause liver damage,
it may increase the liver damage caused by n-Butyl Alcohol.
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 controls are recommended:
* Where possible, automatically pump liquid n-Butyl Alcohol from
drums or other storage containers to process containers.
to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by n-Butyl
Alcohol should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to n-Butyl
Alcohol.
* On skin contact with n-Butyl Alcohol, immediately wash or
shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the work shift,
wash any areas of the body that may have contacted n-Butyl
Alcohol, whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where n-Butyl Alcohol is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
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 n-Butyl Alcohol. Wear solvent
resistant 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.
* ACGIH recommends neoprene, nitrile, or polyvinyl chloride as
good to excellent protective materials.
Eye Protection
* Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when
working with liquid n-Butyl Alcohol, 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 50 ppm, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic
vapor cartridge/canister. Increased protection is obtained
from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect n-Butyl Alcohol, 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.
* Exposure to 8,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposures above 8,000 ppm
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 n-Butyl Alcohol you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* n-Butyl Alcohol is not compatible with ACID ANHYDRIDES, ACID
CHLORIDES, OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES), REDUCING AGENTS,
COPPER and COPPER ALLOYS.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area away from HEAT.
* Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are
prohibited where n-Butyl Alcohol is used, handled, or stored
in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion
hazard.
* Metal containers used in the transfer of 5 gallons or more of
n-Butyl Alcohol should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be
equipped with self closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and
flame arresters.
* Use only non sparking tools and equipment, especially when
opening and closing containers of n-Butyl Alcohol.
Common Name: n-Butyl Alcohol
DOT Number: UN 1120
DOT Emergency Guide code: 26
CAS Number: 71-36-3
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Hazard rating NFPA
FLAMMABILITY 3
REACTIVITY 0
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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
* n-Butyl Alcohol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, or alcohol foam extinguishers or water
to keep fire exposed containers cool
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If n-Butyl Alcohol is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill or leak until cleanup is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Ventilate area of spill or leak.
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
material and deposit in sealed containers.
* Keep n-Butyl Alcohol 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 n-Butyl Alcohol
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.
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FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
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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
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area
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
Vapor Pressure: 4.2 mmhg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 84oF (28.9oC)
Water Solubility: Soluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
1-Butanol
Other Names and Formulations:
n-Butanol; Propylcarbinol.
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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
n-Butyl Alcohol is a clear, colorless liquid. It is used in the
coatings industry for the production of lacquers and latexes, as an
intermediate in the manufacture of certain plastics, as a solvent
for oils, drugs, and perfumes, as an ingredient in perfumes and
flavors, and in formulating automobile brake fluids. It may enter
the environment from industrial or 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.
n-Butyl Alcohol has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life and
birds. It has caused various adverse effects in agricultural and
ornamental crops. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or
predict the short-term effects of n-Butyl Alcohol 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.
n-Butyl Alcohol has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of n-Butyl Alcohol to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
n-Butyl Alcohol 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
n-Butyl Alcohol 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. About 76.5% of n-Butyl Alcohol will eventually end up in
water; the rest will end up in the air.
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 n-Butyl Alcohol found in fish tissues is
expected to be about the same as the average concentration of n-
Butyl Alcohol in the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA,
Phytotox.