California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 16 - Control of Hazardous Substances › Article 110 - Regulated Carcinogens › Appendix B - Substance Technical Guidelines for DBCP

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
I. Physical and Chemical Data
A. Substance Identification
1. Synonyms: 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane; DBCP,
						  Fumazone; Nemafume; Nemagon; Nemaset; BBC 12; OS 1879. DBCP is also included in
						  agricultural pesticides and fumigants which include the phrase "Nema__________"
						  in their name.
2. Formula:
						  C3H5Br2Cl.
3. Molecular Weight: 236.
B. Physical Data:
1. Boiling point (760 mm Hg): 195° C (383°
						  F)
2. Specific gravity (water = 1): 2.1
3. Vapor density (air = 1 at boiling point of DBCP):
						  Data not available.
4. Melting point: 6° C (43° F).
5. Vapor pressure at 20° C (68° F) 0.8mm
						  Hg.
6. Solubility in water: 1000 ppm.
7. Evaporation rate (Butyl Acetate = 1): very much less
						  than 1.
8. Appearance and odor: Dense yellow or amber liquid
						  with pungent odor at high concentrations. Any detectable odor of DBCP indicates
						  overexposure.
II. Fire Explosion and Reactivity Hazard Data
A. Fire
1. Flash point: 170° F (77° C)
2. Autoignition temperature: Data not available.
3. Flammable limits in air, percent by volume: Data not
						  available.
4. Extinguishing media: Carbon dioxide, dry
						  chemical.
5. Special fire-fighting procedures: Do not use a solid
						  stream of water since a stream will scatter and spread the fire. Use water
						  spray to cool containers exposed to a fire.
6. Unusual fire and explosion hazards: None
						  known.
7. For purposes of complying with the requirements of
						  Group 20 of the General Industry Safety Orders, liquid DBCP is classified as a
						  Category 4 flammable liquid.
8. For the purpose of complying with the requirements
						  of the Low Voltage Electrical Safety Orders (Title 8, California Administrative
						  Code), the classification of hazardous locations as described in Article 500 of
						  the National Electrical Code for DBCP shall be Class 1, Group D.
9. For the purpose of complying with the requirements
						  of Section 6152, DBCP is classified as a Class
						  B fire hazard.
10. For the purposes of complying with Section
						  3650(i), locations
						  classified as hazardous due to the presence of DBCP shall be Class 1, Group
						  D.
11. Sources of ignition are prohibited where DBCP
						  presents a fire or explosion hazard.
B. Reactivity
1. Conditions contributing to instability: None
						  known.
2. Incompatibilities: Reacts with chemically active
						  metals, such as aluminum, magnesium and tin alloys.
3. Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases and
						  vapors (such as HBr, HCl and carbon monoxide) may be released in a fire
						  involving DBCP.
4. Special precautions: DBCP will attack some rubber
						  materials and coatings.
III. Spill, Leak and Disposal Procedures
A. If DBCP is spilled or leaked, the following steps
						  should be taken:
1. The area should be evacuated at once and re-entered
						  only while wearing appropriate protective equipment.
2. Contain the spill or leak.
3. If in liquid form, collect on absorbent material and
						  place in sealed containers and/or destroy by chemical methods.
4. If in solid form, collect spilled material in the
						  most convenient and safe manner for reclamation or for disposal or
						  destruction.
B. Persons not wearing protective equipment must be
						  restricted from areas of spills or leaks until cleanup has been completed and
						  monitoring results indicate the area to be safe for re-entry.
C. Waste Disposal Methods:
1. For small quantities of liquid DBCP, absorb on paper
						  towels, remove to safe place (such as a fume hood) and burn the paper. Large
						  quantities can be reclaimed or collected and atomized in a suitable combustion
						  chamber equipped with an appropriate effluent gas cleaning device. If liquid
						  DBCP is absorbed in vermiculite, earth or similar material and placed in sealed
						  containers it may be disposed of in a State-approved sanitary landfill.
2. If in solid form, for small quantities, place on
						  paper towels, remove to a safe place (such as a fume hood) and burn. Large
						  quantities may be reclaimed. However, if this is not practical, dissolve in a
						  flammable solvent (such as alcohol) and atomize in a suitable combustion
						  chamber equipped with an appropriate effluent gas cleaning device. DBCP in
						  solid form may also be disposed in a state-approved sanitary landfill.
IV. Monitoring and Measurement Procedures
A. Exposure above the permissible exposure
						  limit.
1. Eight Hour Exposure Evaluation: Measurements taken
						  for the purpose of determining employee exposure under this section are best
						  taken so that the average 8-hour exposure may be determined from a single
						  8-hour sample or two (2) 4-hour samples. Air samples should be taken in the
						  employee's breathing zone (air that would most nearly represent that inhaled by
						  the employee).
2. Monitoring Techniques: The sampling and analysis
						  under this section may be performed by collecting the DBCP vapor on petroleum
						  based charcoal absorption tubes with subsequent chemical analyses. The method
						  of measurement chosen should determine the concentration of airborne DBCP at
						  the permissible exposure limit to an accuracy of plus or minus 25 percent. If
						  charcoal tubes are used, a total volume of 10 liters should be collected at a
						  flow rate of 50 cc. per minute for each tube. Analyze the resultant samples as
						  you would samples of halogenated solvent.
B. Since many of the duties relating to employee
						  protection are dependent on the results of monitoring and measuring procedures,
						  employers should assure that the evaluation of employee exposures is performed
						  by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified
						  person.
V. Protective Clothing
Employees should be required to wear appropriate
						  protective clothing to prevent any possibility of skin contact with DBCP.
						  Because DBCP is absorbed through the skin, it is important to prevent skin
						  contact with both liquid and solid forms of DBCP. The employer shall provide
						  impermeable protective clothing and equipment to protect the area of the body
						  which may come in contact with DBCP. Standard rubber and neoprene gloves do not
						  offer adequate protection and should not be relied upon to keep DBCP off the
						  skin. DBCP should never be allowed to remain on the skin. Clothing and shoes
						  should not be allowed to become contaminated with the material, and if they do,
						  they should be promptly removed and not worn again until completely free of the
						  material. Any protective clothing which has developed leaks or is otherwise
						  found to be defective should be repaired or replaced. Employees should also be
						  required to wear splashproof safety goggles where there is any possibility of
						  DBCP contacting the eyes.
VI. Housekeeping and Hygiene Facilities
1. The workplace must be kept clean, orderly and in a
						  sanitary condition;
2. Dry sweeping and the use of compressed air is unsafe
						  for the cleaning of floors and other surfaces where DBCP dust or liquids are
						  found. To minimize the contamination of air with dust, vacuuming with either
						  portable or permanent systems must be used. If a portable unit is selected the
						  exhaust must be attached to the general workplace exhaust ventilation system,
						  or collected within the vacuum unit equipped with high efficiency filters or
						  other appropriate means of contamination removal and not used for other
						  purposes. Units used to collect DBCP must be labeled.
3. Adequate washing facilities with hot and cold water
						  must be provided, and maintained in a sanitary condition. Suitable cleansing
						  agents should also be provided to assure the effective removal of DBCP from the
						  skin.
4. Change or dressing rooms with individual clothes
						  storage facilities must be provided to prevent the contamination of street
						  clothes with DBCP. Because of the hazardous nature of DBCP, contaminated
						  protective clothing must be stored in closed containers for cleaning or
						  disposal.
VII. Miscellaneous Precautions
A. Store DBCP in tightly closed containers in a cool,
						  well ventilated area.
B. Use of supplied-air suits or other impervious
						  clothing (such as acid suits) may be necessary to prevent skin contact with
						  DBCP. Supplied-air suits should be selected, used, and maintained under the
						  supervision of persons knowledgeable in the limitations and potential
						  life-endangering characteristics of supplied-air suits.
C. The use of air-conditioned suits may be necessary in
						  warmer climates.
D. Advise employees of all areas and operations where
						  exposure to DBCP could occur.
VIII. Common Operations
Common operations in which exposure to DBCP is likely
						  to occur are: during its production; and during its formulation into pesticides
						  and fumigants.