O,O-diethyl phosphorochloridothioate

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Emergency and first aid procedures

The first symptom to appear will be irritation for all routes of exposure. In case of exposure, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Immediately start the recommended procedures below and call a physician, poison centre or hospital immediately. Describe the type and extent of exposure and the victim’s condition.

If any of the signs of cholinesterase inhibition (see 2.3.) occurs, explain that the victim has been exposed to O,O-diethyl phosphorochloridothioate, a chemical which may cause cholinesterase inhibition. Immediately remove the exposed person from the area where the product is present. If breathing has stopped, immediately start artificial respiration and maintain until a physician takes charge of the exposed person.

Inhalation

If experiencing any discomfort, immediately remove the exposed person from exposure. Get medical attention immediately if symptoms develop.

Eye contact

Immediately rinse with much water or eyewash solution, occasionally opening eyelids, until no evidence of chemical remains. Remove contact lenses after a few minutes and rinse again. See physician immediately.

Skin contact

Immediately flush with much water while removing contaminated clothing and footwear. Wash with water and soap. See physician immediately if irritation develops.

Ingestion

Let the exposed person rinse mouth and let him/her drink several glasses of water or milk, but do not induce vomiting. If vomiting does occur, rinse mouth and drink fluids again. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately.

Note to physician

Irritated skin should be treated as usual against effects of acids or acid fumes. In case lungs are affected watch for pulmonary oedema and possible cholinesterase inhibition. Cholinesterase inhibitors affect the central and peripheral nervous systems and produce respiratory depression.

Cholinesterase inhibition – treatment

If cholinesterase inhibition occurs, the following treatment may be applied: Decontamination procedures such as whole body washing, gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal are often required. Probable mucosal damage may contraindicate the use of gastric lavage. Antidote: Administer atropine sulphate, which often is a lifesaving antidote, in large doses, TWO to FOUR mg intravenously or intramuscularly as soon as possible. Repeat at 5 to 10 minute intervals until signs of atropinisation appear and maintain full atropinisation until all organophosphate is metabolised. Obidoxime chloride (Toxogonin), alternatively pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM), may be administered as an adjunct to, but not a substitute for atropine sulphate. Treatment with oxime should be maintained as long as atropine sulphate is administered. At first sign of pulmonary oedema, the patient should be given supplementary oxygen and treated symptomatically.

Relapse may occur after initial improvement.

VERY CLOSE SUPERVISION OF THE PATIENT IS INDICATED FOR AT LEAST 48 HOURS, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF POISONING.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing media and procedure

Dry chemical or carbon dioxide for small fires, water spray or foam for large fires. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapours and toxic decomposition products. Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance. Avoid heavy hose streams. Dike area to prevent water runoff. Firemen should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing.

Hazardous decomposition in a fire

The essential breakdown products are volatile, toxic, malodorous, irritant and inflammable compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, ethyl mercaptan, diethyl sulphide, phosphorous pentoxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Unusual fire and explosion hazards

EP-2 will decompose rapidly when heated to temperatures above 100°C, significantly increasing the risk of explosion. The decomposition is dependent on time as well as temperature due to self-accelerating exothermic and autocatalytic reactions. The reactions involve rearrangements and polymerisation releasing

volatile malodorous and inflammable compounds such as ethyl mercaptan and diethyl sulphide.

Accidental release measures

Personal protection .

Observe all personal protection and safety precautions. Depending on the magnitude of the spill, this may mean wearing respirator, face shield, eye protection, chemical resistant clothing, gloves and boots when cleaning up spills. Personal exposure by splashing must be avoided.

Steps to be taken in case of spill

It is recommended to have a predetermined plan for the handling of spills. Empty, closable vessels (not metal) for the collection of spills should be available.

Stop the source of the spill immediately if safe to do so. Contain the spill to prevent any further contamination of surface, soil or water. Remove sources of ignition.

Cleaning method

Spills on the floor or other impervious surface should be absorbed onto an absorptive material such as universal binder, hydrated lime, Fuller’s earth or other absorbent clays. Collect the contaminated absorbent in suitable containers. Rinse area with soda lye and much water. Absorb wash liquid onto absorbent and transfer to suitable containers. Wash waters must be prevented from entering surface water drains. Large spills which soak into the ground should be dug up and transferred to suitable containers. Spills in water should be contained as much as possible by isolation of the contaminated water. The contaminated water must be collected and removed for treatment or disposal. Uncontrolled discharge into water courses must be alerted to the appropriate regulatory body.

Disposal

The used containers should be properly closed and labelled.

Handling and storage

Precautions to be taken in handling

In an industrial environment it is recommended to avoid all personal contact with the product, if possible by using closed systems with remote system control. Otherwise the material should be handled by mechanical means as much as possible. Adequate ventilation or local exhaust ventilation is required. The exhaust

gases should be filtered or treated otherwise. Splashing and the formation of aerosol or mist must be avoided. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Avoid breathing vapour and avoid exposure of eyes to vapour as well.

Precautions to be taken in storing

EP-2 is relatively stable when stored in coated, unopened drums at temperatures not exceeding 20-25°C. EP-2 hydrolyses in the presence of small quantities of water and becomes corrosive to iron and many other metals. Storage should be in unopened drums or in properly protected tanks (e.g. lined with glass, polypropylene, epoxy or phenolic resin). If free from moisture, tanks of acid-resistant steel, such as 316 or V4A, can also be employed. Do not contaminate air, water or foodstuffs by storage or disposal. Storage at temperatures not exceeding 25°C is recommended. EP-2 should not be heated above 55°C and also local heating above this temperature should be avoided. Protect against strong heat from sunshine or other source, e.g. fire.

Specific use

The substance is a chemical intermediate for industrial use.

Fire and explosion precautions

Heating above 55°C may only take place in connection with further processing of EP-2 and then only temporarily and under controlled conditions.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

2751

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Diethylthiophosphoryl chloride

Chemical name:

O,O-Diethyl phosphorochloridothioate

Language:

English

Labels:

T; R23-21/22-34 N;51/53

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

2751

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Diethylthiophosphoryl chloride

Chemical name:

O,O-Diethyl phosphorochloridothioate

Language:

English

Labels:

T; R23-21/22-34 N;51/53

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

2751

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Diethylthiophosphoryl chloride

Chemical name:

O,O-Diethyl phosphorochloridothioate

Labels:

T; R23-21/22-34 N;51/53

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

2751

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Diethylthiophosphoryl chloride

Chemical name:

O,O-Diethyl phosphorochloridothioate

Labels:

T; R23-21/22-34 N;51/53

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Personal exposure limits

To our knowledge, no exposure limits have been established for this compound. However, exposure limits defined by local regulations may exist and must be observed.

Personal protection

When used in a closed system, personal protection equipment will not be required. The following is meant for other situations, when the use of a closed system is not possible, or when it is necessary to open the system. Consider the need to render equipment or piping systems non-hazardous before opening. Respiratory protection Inhalation of vapours must be avoided completely, preferentially by mechanical means. If protection of workers by mechanical means is not possible, a face mask or officially approved respiratory protection equipment with a universal filter type including particle filter must be used.

Protective gloves

Wear chemical resistant gloves, such as barrier laminate, butyl rubber or nitrile rubber. The breakthrough times of these materials for this product are unknown. Generally, however, the use of protective gloves will give only partial protection against dermal exposure. Small tears in the gloves and cross-contamination can easily occur. It is recommended to shift the gloves frequently and to limit the work to be done manually.

Eye protection

Wear face mask rather than safety glasses or goggles. It is recommended to have an eye wash fountain immediately available in the workplace when there is a potential for eye contact.

Other protection

Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing to prevent skin contact.

Work/hygienic practices

Persons working with this product for a longer period should have frequent blood tests of their cholinesterase levels. If the cholinesterase level falls below a critical point, no further exposure should be allowed until it has been determined by means of blood tests that the cholinesterase level has returned to normal.

Keep all unprotected persons and children away from working area. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Avoid breathing vapour or mist. Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash thoroughly after handling. Before removing gloves, wash them with water and soap. After work, take off all work clothes and footwear. Take a shower, using water and soap. Wear only clean clothes when leaving job. Wash protective clothing and protective equipment with water and soap after each use.

Environmental exposure controls

Avoid discharge to the environment.

Stability and reactivity

Thermal decomposition

EP-2 will decompose rapidly when heated to temperatures above 100°C, significantly increasing the risk of explosion. The decomposition is dependent on time as well as temperature due to self-accelerating exothermic and autocatalytic reactions. The reactions involve rearrangements and polymerisation releasing

volatile malodorous and inflammable compounds such as ethyl mercaptan and diethyl sulphide.

Hazardous decomposition products

The essential breakdown products are volatile, toxic, malodorous, irritant and inflammable compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, ethyl mercaptan, diethyl sulphide, phosphorous pentoxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Materials to avoid

Strong alkalis. An acid-base neutralisation reaction can be hazardous because of heat release. Amines and strong oxidising compounds. The substance can corrode metals.

Disposal considerations

Waste disposal method

Material which cannot be reused or chemically reprocessed can be disposed of by removal to a licensed chemical destruction plant or by controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing. Do not contaminate water or foodstuffs by storage or disposal.

Packaging/container disposal

Triple rinse (or equivalent) and offer for recycling or reconditioning. Alternatively, the packaging can be punctured to make it unusable for other purposes and then be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Disposal of waste and packagings must always be in accordance with all applicable local regulations.