Document bk2VYdX5ZKn37XbLxKwXmEjk

FILE NAME: Oil Industry and American Petroleum Institute (API) DATE: 1958 DOC#: API071 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Benzene Material Safety Data Sheet 50 W E S T 50 T H S T R E E T N E W Y O R K 20. N.Y. SA FETY DATA SH E E T BENZENE Flammable Liquid Vapor - Narcotic and Cumulatively Toxic Warning Properties Poor P R O P E R T IE S Formula Boiling Point Flash Point (Tag. Closed Cup) Vapor Pressure at 25C Threshold Limit Value (MAC) Predicted Effects of continuous inhalation of vapor at twice the threshold limit. c 6h 6 80.1C -11.1F (Approx.) 100 mm (Approx.) Maximum Vapor Concentration Attoinable in air at 25C * 760 mm Hg. Liquid Volume which, if volatilized and distributed equally in 1000 ft.3 of static air, would give a concentration equal to the M A C (35 oom) Liquid Volume which, if volatilized and distributed equally in 1000 ft.3 af static air, would give a concentration which would be lethal in a short period of time Lower Explosive Limit Upper Explosive Limit Autoignition Temp. Vapor Density (Air 1) 1.5% Voi. 8.0% Vol. 538C 2.77 35 ppm Feint odor, systemically harmful to sensitive workers following daily inhalation for protracted period of time. 131,000 ppm ~ 3.5 mi 1,500 ml; 3 pints 176109 PLAINTIFF'S v i eExXh^iEb it k>Ti7 f- i .. 1- i f ' 1 i. ; j { l J 7S4M < IV,tS ii a t m o sp h er ic CONCENTRATION PPM 35 50-100 700 20,000 SEN SO RY RESPO N SE VALUES TIME OF EXPOSURE 5 min. 30-60 5-10 PROBABLE RESPONSE (HUMAN) No response. The odor is not detected by most people and there is no irritation. Faint odor detectable by the unacclimated. Strong odor; may produce narcosis. Strong irritating odor; may be lethal. HEALTH H A ZA RD S VAPOR EXPOSURE Benzene is narcotic in high vapor concentrations and cumulatively toxic in lower concentrations. In high vapor concentrations, such a s may be found in tanks or partially closed v essels, benzene may produce drowsiness, fatigue, headache, nausea and narcosis, and, with sustained exposure, conceivably death caused by paralysis of the respiratory centers. Some c ase s of severe overexposure may show exhilaration and actions characteristic of the inebri ated. Concentrations of vapor which produce the above symptoms are usually recognized by their strong and pungent odor and are easily identified by testiog with an ordinary combustible gas indicator. This aspect of benzene intoxication does not ordinarily cause a problem in in dustry and is usually of secondary importance to the hazard of chrooic intoxication. Continuous daily exposures to vapor concentrations in sub-narcotic levels, but in excess of the threshold limit value (35 ppm), may, after a protracted period of time (usually several years), result in damage to the blood-forming organs of the body. Such damage may be produced without any significant premonitory waroiog of ill health. Hence, benzene is insidious in its action because of the lack of significant warning properties associated with both over exposure to the vapor and early systemic intoxication. In spite of the foregoing, there have been surprisingly few c a se s of benzene intoxication reported in the last ten years. This is notable considering the widespread use of benzene in industry. The classical reports in the literature of m ass intoxications reflect, for the most part, the experience of a past era one in which complete disregard for control measures predisposed to very severe overexposures. The establishment of the very low threshold limit value (35 ppm) for benzene reflects an effort on the part of regulatory agencies to protect workers who may be exposed to this cumulatively toxic material continuously, day after day, for a working lifetime. Justification for the establishment of this level is seen when one considers that at this level a reasonably active worker inhales roughly 1.3 nil. of benzene per 8-hour day or approximately 10 ounces per working year. 176110 2