Document o9pm0MaeqX8yw5m1MEKKmvQr3

MEDICAL DEPARTMEM T HAZARD DATA SHEETS -"w MOHSANTO INSURANCE COMPANY LITIGATION:MAY 25,1990 ORDER PROTECTED MATERIAL TRE^T A* PROTECTED UNDER ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND WORK PRODUCT DOCTRINE Monsanto Li 1 I ] l T* VINYL CHLORIDE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT This data sheet was written and revised August, 1968, Please destroy all previous copies. VINYL CHLORIDE (VCN) A* General 1* Characteristics Vinyl chloride Is a colorless, flammable gas with an explosive range of to 220 by volume In air. 2. Fire Precautions No smoking or open lights should be allowed In vinyl chloride areas, and electrical equipment should be explosion-proof. Non-sparking tools should be used. Vinyl chloride fires can be extinguished with carbon dioxide or dry chemi cal extinguishers. 3. Protective Equipment In atmospheres containing less than 2 concen tration of VCN and no less than l6f oxygen, organic vapor canister type gas masks, approved by the U. S. Bureau of Mines, may be used. In unknown concentrations, air-supplied or contained respiratory protection must be worn. B. Toxicity and Hazards The maximum allowable concentration of vinyl chloride In air, for an 8-hour day, is 300 ppa (2). RSV 0019898 I MOHSANTO INSURANCE COMPANY LITIGATIONiMAY 25,1990 ORDER PROTECTED MATERIAL VINYL CH2X -2- --' Vinyl chloride can cause unconsciousness, and Ita - use as an anesthetic has been suggested, it is not a dangerous poison and la less harmful than carbon tetrachloride. It causes the respiration to vary from an Initial rapid, Jerky type, to a slow, shallow type. Five tenths of one percent vinyl chloride, by volume m air, may be Inhaled for several hours without disturbances of a serious nature. This material does not possess properties to warn off toxic concentrations. However, In high enough concentrations, it can produce dizziness and disorientation before any of ita more harmful effects set in (3). C. Effects 1. Acute Inhalation of concentrated vapors produces irritatlon of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, with sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. This frequently Is followed by a feel ing of suffocation, with the respiration at first. Irregular, and later rapid and shallow. A pre liminary stage of excitation may occur, followed by loss of reflexes and sensory functions, with final muscle flabbiness and losa of consciousness. If the Individual is removed from exposure, an immediate recovery from unconsciousness may take place. In fatal cases. If death does not occur during or lnmedlately following unconsciousness, the Individual may live from 3 to 12 days, ultimately succumbing to the later developing Injury to liver and kidneys. This later effect Is not as likely in the case of VCM as it is in the caae of carbon tetrachloride or trichloroethane, The symptoms associated with these delayed effects are usually referable to the gastrointestinal tract - losa of appetite, nausea, vomiting. Jaundice, Indicating liver damage, la also a frequent finding (3). R$V 0019899 VINYL CHLORIDE -3- 2* Chronic No chronic effects have been noted In the case of VCM. 3* Psychogenic Effects It la a frequent experience that Individuals - who have had- caetrolntcttlpl JT^toet/eueh - aa nauaea and vomiting, following Intoxication by a chlorinated solvent may, even months after the Initial incident, have a prompt recurrence of nauaea on reexposure insufficient In degree or duration for the nausea to-be of other than psychogenic origin* Other Individuals are ad versely affected by the sweetish characteristic odor of chlorinated solvents and the resulting persistent loss of appetite and nausea may re quire their removal from exposure (3)* D* First lid 1* Inhalation A person showing signs of vapor poisoning should be removed promptly from the contaminated area* In case breathing has stopped, effective artifi cial respiration should be started loBsedlately.* If oxygen Inhalation apparatus Is available, oxy gen should be administered only If one familiar with the operation of the apparatus is present; preferably on the advice of a physician* If the patient la conscious, hot tea or coffee may be given as a stimulant* ADRENALIN SHOUID NEVER BE QIVEN TO A PERSON SUFFERING FROM CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON POISONING. Call a physician at once* RSV 0019900 MONSANTO INSURANCE COMPANY LITIGATION;MAY 25,1990 ORDER PROTECTED MATERIAL TREAT AS PROTECTED UNDER ATTORNEY"CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND WORK PRODUCT DOCTRINE VlffxL Cou>a 2, Eye Contacts If liquid VCM has entered the eyes, they should be promptly washed with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. It is advisable to Irrigate the eyes gently with water at room temperature in order to minimise additional pain or discomfort* VCM vapor can produce Injury to the eyes If the exposure Is Intense or prolonged to higher concen trations. Eyes should be Irrigated for vapor In the same manner as for liquid. Medical attention should be obtained in all these contacts with the eyes. E. References 1. Y, Henderson and H, V, Haggard, Noxious Oases, 2nd Edition, Am, Chem, Soc, Monograph No, 55, Reinhold Pub. Corp,, New York, 1943* page 201 202, 208 - 209, 2. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, "Threshold Limit Values for 1967", 197, page 14, 3. Frank A, Patty, Industrial Hygiene and Toxico logy, Vol. II, Interscience Pub. Corp,, New York, 1949, PP. 777 - 785. RSV 0019901 X MONSANTO INSURANCE COMPANY LITICATI0N:MAY 25,1990 ORDER PROTECTED MATERIAL TREAT AS PROTECTED UNDER ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND WORK PRODUCT DOCTRINE