PHOSPHORIC ACID page 2 of 6
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 Phosphoric Acid:
* Contact can irritate and burn the eyes.
* Breathing Phosphoric Acid can irritate the nose and throat
causing coughing and wheezing.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Phosphoric Acid and can last for
months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
Phosphoric Acid 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 and Senior Services,
Phosphoric Acid has not been tested for its ability to affect
reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
* Phosphoric Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure
may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm,
and/or shortness of breath.
* Long-term exposure to the liquid may cause drying and
cracking of the skin.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
following are recommended:
* Lung function tests.
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 1910.1020.
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 solid Phosphoric
Acid or pump liquid Phosphoric Acid from drums 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
Phosphoric Acid 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 Phosphoric Acid.
* 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 Phosphoric Acid, immediately wash
or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the
workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have
contacted Phosphoric Acid, whether or not known skin
contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Phosphoric Acid is
handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking,
smoking, or using the toilet.
* For solid Phosphoric Acid, use a vacuum to reduce dust
during clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP.