Common Name: Diazomethane
CAS Number: 334-88-3
DOT Number: None
Date: March, 1986
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Diazomethane can affect you when breathed in.
* It is extremely toxic. Exposure can cause severe lung damage
with symptoms of coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath,
fever and fatigue. These may not be felt until hours or days
after exposure and this can cause death.
* Exposure to the gas or liquid can cause severe skin burns and
eye damage.
* Repeated exposures, even at low levels, may cause an asthma-
like lung allergy.
* Heat, sunlight, or other bright lights can cause it to
explode. Contact with alkali metals, drying agents and rough
edges can also cause explosions.
IDENTIFICATION
Diazomethane is a yellow gas at room temperature. It can also
exist as a liquid under pressure. It is used in making other
chemicals.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Diazomethane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH.
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.
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WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.2 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.2 ppm
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 Diazomethane.
* 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 Diazomethane 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 Diazomethane:
* Breathing Diazomethane gas or vapors can cause severe lung
damage. Immediate symptoms may include coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, headache,
and irritation of the mouth, nose and throat. Nausea,
vomiting, and fever may also occur. This can progress to a
build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death.
The effects may not be felt for hours or days after exposure.
* Contact with Diazomethane gas, liquefied gas, or solutions can
cause severe eye burns and permanent damage.
* Skin contact can cause severe irritation, burns and scaling of
the affected body area. Similar symptoms may occur on the
skin inside the mouth, nose and throat following inhalation.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Diazomethane and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Diazomethane 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, Diazomethane has not been tested
for its ability to affect reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Repeated exposure to Diazomethane can cause an asthma-like
lung allergy. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and
fatigue. The symptoms may become progressively worse with
repeated attacks, and permanent lung damage (emphysema) may
result.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the
following are recommended:
* Lung function tests. These may be normal at first if the
person is not having an attack at the time.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful
exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose
allergy.
* Consider chest x-ray after acute over-exposure.
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. In addition, the following control is
recommended:
* Where possible, automatically transfer Diazomethane from
cylinders 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 liquid
Diazomethane should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to
Diazomethane.
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work
area for emergency use.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Diazomethane, immediately wash or shower
to remove the chemical.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Diazomethane 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 Diazomethane. 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 liquid Diazomethane, or gas-proof goggles when
working with the gas, 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 0.2 ppm, 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 10 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposures above 10 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 Diazomethane you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* Diazomethane must be stored to avoid contact with ALKALI
METALS, such as LITHIUM, SODIUM, or POTASSIUM; or DRYING
AGENTS, such as CALCIUM SULFATE, since violent reactions
occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated
area away from HEAT and LIGHT. The pure liquid material
explodes above 302oF, whereas impure material explodes at
lower temperatures. Exposure of the gas or solutions to
SUNLIGHT or other BRIGHT LIGHTING may cause an explosion.
Contact with ROUGH EDGES, such as found on ground glass, may
cause an explosion. Safety barriers or shields should be used
to protect workers from accidental explosions.
* Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are
prohibited where Diazomethane is handled, used, or stored.
* Metal containers used in the transfer of 5 gallons or more of
Diazomethane 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 Diazomethane.
* Wherever Diazomethane is used, handled, manufactured, or
stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings.
Common Name: Diazomethane
DOT Number: None
DOT Emergency Guide code: No Citation
CAS Number: 334-88-3
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY Not Found
REACTIVITY Not Found
EXPLOSIVE LIQUID
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Diazomethane will explode in a fire. In the event of a fire,
immediately evacuate the area.