Dinitrophenol (2,4-Dinitrophenol, DNP)
NOTHING IN THE TEXT ABOVE SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS ENCOURAGEMENT TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION WITHOUT SUPERVISION. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
Common Name: 2,4-Dinitrophenol
CAS Number: 51-28-5
DOT Number: UN 1320
Date: July, 1989
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HAZARD SUMMARY
2,4-Dinitrophenol can effect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin.
2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause reproductive damage. Handle with extreme caution.
2,4-Dinitrophenol is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a FIRE HAZARD.
Contact can irritate the skin. Long term exposure may cause dermatitis.
2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the eyes, and may cause clouding of the eye lenses (cataracts).
Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
High or repeated exposure can affect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions and even death.
2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.
IDENTIFICATION
2,4-Dinitrophenol is a yellow crystalline (sand-like) solid but is often found in a solution. It is used in dyes, photo developers, explosives, and as a preservative of lumber.
REASON FOR CITATION
2,4-Dinitrophenol is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by EPA and DOT.
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.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
No occupational exposure limits have been established for 2,4- Dinitrophenol. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed.
It should be recognized that 2,4-Dinitrophenol can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure.
2,4-Dinitrophenol may be a teratogen in humans. All contact with this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
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.
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 2,4-Dinitrophenol to potentially exposed workers.
Wear protective work clothing.
Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to 2,4- Dinitrophenol and at the end of the workshift.
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 2,4-Dinitrophenol:
2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the skin and eyes.
Breathing 2,4-Dinitrophenol can irritate the nose and throat.
Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol cause fatigue, thirst, sweating, headache and weakness. It may also cause anxiety and excitement.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
2,4-Dinitrophenol may cause mutations (genetic changes) in living cells. Whether or not it poses a cancer or reproductive hazard needs further study.
2,4-Dinitrophenol has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the developing fetus.
2,4-Dinitrophenol has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long-Term Effects
Exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol can cause dermatitis. Clouding of the eye lenses (cataracts) may occur after a long exposure.
High or repeated exposure can effect the nervous system causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, anxiety, weakness, convulsions and even death.
2,4-Dinitrophenol may damage the liver and kidneys.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful:
Liver and kidney function tests.
Exam of the eyes.
Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy.
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.
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 are recommended:
Where possible, automatically transfer 2,4-Dinitrophenol from drums or other storage containers to process containers.
Before entering a confined space where 2,4-Dinitrophenol may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by 2,4- Dinitrophenol should change into clean clothing promptly.
Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to 2,4- Dinitrophenol.
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 2,4-Dinitrophenol, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted 2,4- Dinitrophenol, whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
Do not eat, smoke, or drink where 2,4-Dinitrophenol is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
For dust powder use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP.
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 2,4-Dinitrophenol. 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 (suites, 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, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn.
Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, 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.
Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol does not occur.
Where the potential exists for exposure to 2,4-Dinitrophenol, 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.
Common Name: 2,4-Dinitrophenol
DOT Number: UN 1599 (Dinitrophenol solution); UN 0076 (Dry or
wetted with less than 15% water); UN 1320
(Dinitrophenol, wet with at least 15% water) DOT
Emergency Guide codes: 57,36,46
CAS Number: 51-28-5
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Hazard rating NJDOH NFPA
Flammability 3 Not Rated
Reactivity 0 Not Rated
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FLAMMABLE
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
SOLID DINITROPHENOL MAY EXPLODE
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