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Chemical Datasheet

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCB)

9 - Miscellaneous hazardous material

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 11096-82-5
  • 11097-69-1
  • 11104-28-2
  • 11141-16-5
  • 12672-29-6
  • 12674-11-2
  • 1336-36-3
  • 53469-21-9
  • 2315 (liquid)
  • 3432 (solid)
  • Class 9
  • PCB
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Chlorodiphenyl (54% chlorine)
  • POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (AROCLOR 1254)
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
Note: NFPA ratings shown are for polychlorinated biphenyls, CAS number 1336-36-3.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
PCBs are colorless oily liquids. Much denser than water and insoluble in water. May burn under exposure to intense heat or flames for prolonged periods of time. Primary hazard is persistence in the environment and potential for long term chronic environmental and health risks. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. As liquids, easily penetrate the soil to contaminate groundwater and nearby waterways.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating gases are generated in fires. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Acne from skin contact. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCB) are incompatible with the following: Strong oxidizers (NIOSH, 2022).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent dust cloud. For Asbestos, avoid inhalation of dust. Cover spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Do not clean up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorodiphenyl (54% chlorine):

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
PCB 1254 (50% in Mineral Oil) 11097-69-1 Liquid >480 >480
PCB 1254 (90%) 11097-69-1 Liquid >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorodiphenyl (54% chlorine):

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing, wash the skin with soap and water, and get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula: data unavailable
Flash Point: greater than 286°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.3 to 1.8 at 68°F (USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point: Very high (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 5 mg/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. [From NPG: Chlorodiphenyl (54% chlorine)] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1260); (Chlorodiphenyl (60% Cl)) (11096-82-5) 0.41 mg/m3 4.5 mg/m3 260 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254); (Chlorodiphenyl (54% Cl)) (11097-69-1) 1.5 mg/m3 68 mg/m3 200 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1221); (Chlorodiphenyl (21% Cl)) (11104-28-2) 12 mg/m3 130 mg/m3 790 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1232); (Chlorodiphenyl (32% Cl)) (11141-16-5) 13 mg/m3 150 mg/m3 890 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1248); (Chlorodiphenyl (48% Cl)) (12672-29-6) 6.6 mg/m3 72 mg/m3 2200 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1016); (Chlorodiphenyl (41% Cl)) (12674-11-2) 5.6 mg/m3 62 mg/m3 460 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl; (Aroclor; PCBs) (1336-36-3) 13 mg/m3 140 mg/m3 840 mg/m3
Polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1242); (Chlorodiphenyl (42% Cl)) (53469-21-9) 3 mg/m3 140 mg/m3 840 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Aroclor 1016 12674-11-2 1 pound
Aroclor 1221 11104-28-2 1 pound
Aroclor 1232 11141-16-5 1 pound
Aroclor 1242 53469-21-9 1 pound
Aroclor 1248 12672-29-6 1 pound
Aroclor 1254 11097-69-1 1 pound
Aroclor 1260 11096-82-5 1 pound
PCBs 1336-36-3 1 pound X
Polychlorinated biphenyls 1336-36-3 1 pound 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names