(1) Substance identification.
(a) Synonyms and trades names: DBCP; Dibromochloropropane; Fumazone (Dow Chemical Company TM); Nemafume; Nemagon (Shell Chemical Co. TM); Nemaset; BBC 12; and OS 1879.
(b) Permissible exposure:
(i) Airborne. 1 part DBCP vapor per billion parts of air (1 ppb); time-weighted average (TWA) for an eight-hour workday.
(ii) Dermal. Eye contact and skin contact with DBCP are prohibited.
(c) Appearance and odor: Technical grade DBCP is a dense yellow or amber liquid with a pungent odor. It may also appear in granular form, or blended in varying concentrations with other liquids.
(d) Uses: DBCP is used to control nematodes, very small worm-like plant parasites, on crops including cotton, soybeans, fruits, nuts, vegetables and ornamentals.
(2) Health hazard data.
(a) Routes of entry: Employees may be exposed:
(i) Through inhalation (breathing);
(ii) Through ingestion (swallowing);
(iii) Skin contact; and
(iv) Eye contact.
(b) Effects of exposure:
(i) Acute exposure. DBCP may cause drowsiness, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin, nausea and vomiting. In addition, overexposure may cause damage to the lungs, liver or kidneys.
(ii) Chronic exposure. Prolonged or repeated exposure to DBCP has been shown to cause sterility in humans. It also has been shown to produce cancer and sterility in laboratory animals and has been determined to constitute an increased risk of cancer in people.
(iii) Reporting signs and symptoms. If you develop any of the above signs or symptoms that you think are caused by exposure to DBCP, you should inform your employer.
(3) Emergency first-aid procedures.
(a) Eye exposure. If DBCP liquid or dust containing DBCP gets into your eyes, wash your eyes immediately with large amounts of water, lifting the lower and upper lids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with DBCP.
(b) Skin exposure. If DBCP liquids or dusts containing DBCP get on your skin, immediately wash using soap or mild detergent and water. If DBCP liquids or dusts containing DBCP penetrate through your clothing, remove the clothing immediately and wash. If irritation is present after washing get medical attention.
(c) Breathing. If you or any person breathe in large amounts of DBCP, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Do not use mouth-to-mouth. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
(d) Swallowing. When DBCP has been swallowed and the person is conscious, give the person large amounts of water immediately. After the water has been swallowed, try to get the person to vomit by having them touch the back of their throat with their finger. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Get medical attention immediately.
(e) Rescue. Notify someone. Put into effect the established emergency rescue procedures. Know the locations of the emergency rescue equipment before the need arises.
(4) Respirators and protective clothing.
(a) Respirators. You may be required to wear a respirator in emergencies and while your employer is in the process of reducing DBCP exposures through engineering controls. If respirators are worn, they must have a label issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the provisions of 42 C.F.R. part 84 stating that the respirators have been certified for use with organic vapors. For effective protection, a respirator must fit your face and head snugly. The respirator should not be loosened or removed in work situations where its use is required. Respirators must not be loosened or removed in work situations where their use is required.
(b) Protective clothing. When working with DBCP you must wear for your protection impermeable work clothing provided by your employer. (Standard rubber and neoprene protective clothing do not offer adequate protection). DBCP must never be allowed to remain on the skin. Clothing and shoes must not be allowed to become contaminated with DBCP, and if they do, they must be promptly removed and not worn again until completely free of DBCP. Turn in impermeable clothing that has developed leaks for repair or replacement.
(c) Eye protection. You must wear splashproof safety goggles where there is any possibility of DBCP liquid or dust contacting your eyes.
(5) Precautions for safe use, handling, and storage.
(a) DBCP must be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area.
(b) If your work clothing may have become contaminated with DBCP, or liquids or dusts containing DBCP, you must change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.
(c) You must promptly remove any protective clothing that becomes contaminated with DBCP. This clothing must not be reworn until the DBCP is removed from the clothing.
(d) If your skin becomes contaminated with DBCP, you must immediately and thoroughly wash or shower with soap or mild detergent and water to remove any DBCP from your skin.
(e) You must not keep food, beverages, cosmetics, or smoking materials, nor eat or smoke, in regulated areas.
(f) If you work in a regulated area, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap or mild detergent and water, before eating, smoking or using toilet facilities.
(g) If you work in a regulated area, you must remove any protective equipment or clothing before leaving the regulated area.
(h) Ask your supervisor where DBCP is used in your work area and for any additional safety and health rules.
(6) Access to information.
(a) Each year, your employer is required to inform you of the information contained in this substance safety data sheet for DBCP. In addition, your employer must instruct you in the safe use of DBCP, emergency procedures, and the correct use of protective equipment.
(b) Your employer is required to determine whether you are being exposed to DBCP. You or your representative have the right to observe employee exposure measurements and to record the result obtained. Your employer is required to inform you of your exposure. If your employer determines that you are being overexposed, they are required to inform you of the actions which are being taken to reduce your exposure.
(c) Your employer is required to keep records of your exposure and medical examinations. Your employer is required to keep exposure and medical data for at least forty years or the duration of your employment plus twenty years, whichever is longer.
(d) Your employer is required to release exposure and medical records to you, your physician, or other individual designated by you upon your written request.
