Material Safety Data Sheet: GA/Tabun (Lethal Nerve Agent)
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LETHAL NERVE AGENT (GA)
SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION
DATE: 14 September 1988
REVISED: 28 February 1996
MANUFACTURER'S ADDRESS:
U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE COMMAND
EDGEWOOD RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT,
AND ENGINEERING CENTER (ERDEC)
ATTN: SCBRD-ODR-S
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 20101-5423
Emergency telephone #' s: 0700-1630 EST: 410-671-4411/4414
After: 1630 EST: 410- 278-5201, Ask for Staff Duty Officer
CAS REGISTRY NUMBER: 77-81-6
CHEMICAL NAME:
Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate
TRADE NAME AND SYNONYMS:
Ethyl dimethylplosphoramidocyanidate
Dimethylaminoethoxy-cyanophosphine oxide
Dimethylamidoethoxyphosphoryl cyanide
Ethyldimethylaminocyanophosphonate
Ethyl ester of dimethylphosphoroamidocyanidic acid
Ethylphosphorodimethylamidocyanidate
GA
EA1205
Tabun
CHEMICAL FAMILY: Organophosphorus compound
FORMULA/CHEMICAL STRUCTURE:
C5 H11 N2 O2 P
NFPA 704 SIGNAL:
Health - 4
Flammability - 2
Reactivity - 1
Special - 0
SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS NAME FORMULA % BY WEIGHT AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMIT (AEL) GAC5H11N2O2P1000.0001 mg/m3
SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA
BOILING POINT DEG: 220o C to 246o C @ 760 mm Hg
VAPOR PRESSURE (mm Hg): 0.037 @ 20 C
VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): 5.63
SOLUBILITY: Slightly soluble in water: (g/100 g): 9.8 @ 25 C; 7.2 @ 20 C.
Readily soluble in organic solvents.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H2O=1): Not available
FREEZING/MELTING POINT: -50 C
LIQUID DENSITY (g/cc): 1.073 @ 25 C
VISCOSITY (CENTISTOKE): 2.18 @ 25 C
VOLATILITY: 610 mg/m3 @ 25 C
APPEARANCE & ODOR: Colorless to brown liquid, faintly fruity
odor. No odor when pure.
SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
FLASHPOINT: 78 C
FLAMMABILITY LIMITS (% by volume): Not available
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Water, fog, foam, CO2. Avoid using
extinguishing methods that will cause splashing or spreading of the
GA.
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: All persons not
engaged in extinguishing the fire should be immediately evacuated
from the area. Fires involving GA should be contained to prevent
contamination to uncontrolled areas. When responding to a fire
alarm in buildings or areas containing agents, firefighting personnel
should wear full firefighter protective clothing(without TAP
clothing) during chemical agent firefighting and fire rescue
operations. Respiratory protection is required. Positive pressure,
full face piece, NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) will be worn where there is danger of oxygen
deficiency and when directed by the fire chief or chemical
accident/incident (CAI) operations officer. In cases where
firefighters are responding to a chemical accident/incident for
rescue/ reconnaissance purposes, they will wear appropriate levels
of protective clothing (See Section VIII).
Do not breathe fumes. Skin contact with nerve agents must be
avoided at all times. Although the fire may destroy most of the
agent, care must still be taken to assure the agent or contaminated
liquids do not further contaminate other areas or sewers. Contact
with the agent liquid or vapor can be fatal.
UNUSUAL FIRE & EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Fires involving this chemical may result in the formation of hydrogen cyanide, HCN.
SECTION V - HEALTH HAZARD DATA
AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMITS (AEL): The permissible
airborne exposure concentration for GA for an 8-hour workday or a
40-hour work week is an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of
0.0001 mg/m3. This value is listed in "AR 40-8, Occupational
Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational
Exposure to Nerve Agents GA, GB, GD, and VX." To date, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not
promulgated a permissible exposure concentration for GA.
GA is not listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or National Toxicology Program (NTP) as a carcinogen.
EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: GA is a lethal cholinesterase
inhibitor similar in action to GB. Although only about half as toxic
as GB by inhalation, GA in low concentrations is more irritating to
the eyes than GB. The number and severity of symptoms that
appear are dependent on the quantity and rate of entry of the nerve
agent introduced into the body. (Very small skin dosages
sometimes cause local sweating and tremors with few other effects.)
Individuals poisoned by GA display approximately the same
sequence of symptoms' despite the route by which the poison enters
the body (whether by inhalation, absorption, or ingestion). These
symptoms, in normal order of appearance, are: a runny nose;
tightness of the chest; dimness of vision and pin pointing of the eye
pupils; difficulty in breathing; drooling and excessive sweating;
nausea; vomiting, cramps, and involuntary defecation and
urination; twitching, jerking, and staggering; and headache,
confusion, drowsiness, coma, and convulsion. These symptoms are
followed by cessation of breathing and death.
Onset Time of Symptoms: Symptoms appear much more slowly
from a skin dosage than from a respiratory dosage. Although skin
absorption great enough to cause death may occur in 1 to 2
minutes, death may be delayed for 1 to 2 hours. Respiratory lethal
dosages kill in 1 to 10 minutes, and liquid in the eye kills almost as
rapidly.
Median Lethal Dosage, Animals:
LD50 (monkey, percutaneous) = 9.3 mg/kg (shaved skin)
LCt50 (monkey, inhalation) = 187 mg-min/m3 (t = 10)
Median Lethal Dosage, Man:
LCt50 (man, inhalation) = 135 mg-min/m3 (t = 0.5-2 min) at RMV* of 15 l/min;
200 mg-min/m3 at RMV* of 10 l/min
*Respiratory Minute Volume
EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Hold breath until respiratory protective mask is
donned. If severe signs of agent exposure appear (chest tightens,
pupil constriction, loss of coordination, etc.), immediately
administer, in rapid succession, all three Nerve Agent Antidote
Kit(s), Mark I injectors (or atropine if directed by physician).
Injections using the Mark I kit injectors may be repeated at 5 to 20
minute intervals if signs and symptoms are progressing until three
series of injections have been administered. No more injections will
be given unless directed by medical personnel. In addition, a record
will be maintained of all injections given. If breathing has stopped,
give artificial respiration. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be
used when approved mask-bag or oxygen delivery systems are not
available. Do not use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when facial
contamination exists. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen.
Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY.
EYE CONTACT: IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with water for at
least 15 minutes then don respiratory protective mask. Although
miosis (pinpointing of the pupils) may be an early sign of agent
exposure, an injection will not be administered when miosis is the
only sign present. Instead, the individual will be taken
IMMEDIATELY to a medical treatment facility for observation.
SKIN CONTACT: Don respiratory protective mask and remove
contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with
copious amounts of soap and water, 10% sodium carbonate
solution, or 5% liquid household bleach. Rinse well with water to
remove decontaminate. Administer an intramuscular injection with
the MARK I kit injectors only if local sweating and muscular
twitching symptoms are observed. Seek medical attention
IMMEDIATELY.
INGESTION: Do not induce vomiting. First symptoms are likely to
be gastrointestinal. IMMEDIATELY administer Nerve Agent
Antidote Kit(s), MARK I injectors. Seek medical attention
IMMEDIATELY.
SECTION VI - REACTIVITY DATA
STABILITY: Stable
INCOMPATIBILITY: Not available
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION: Decomposes within six
months at 60 C. Complete decomposition in 3-1/4 hours at 150 C.
May produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Oxides of nitrogen, oxides
of phosphorus, carbon monoxide, and HCN.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Not available
SECTION VII - SPILL, LEAK, AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR
SPILLED: If leaks or spills occur, only personnel in full protective
clothing will remain in the area (See Section VIII). In case of
personnel contamination see Section V for emergency and first aid
instructions.
RECOMMENDED FIELD PROCEDURES: Spills must be
contained by covering with vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, clay,
fine sand, sponges, and paper or cloth towels. This containment is
followed by treatment with copious amounts of aqueous sodium
hydroxide solution (a minimum 10 wt.%). Scoop up all material
and clothing and place in a DOT approved container. The
decontamination solution must be treated with excess bleach to
destroy the HCN formed during the hydrolysis. Cover the contents
with additional bleach . After sealing, the exterior of the container
will be decontaminated and labeled according to EPA and DOT
regulations. All leaking containers will be over packed with
vermiculite placed between the interior and exterior containers.
Decontaminate and label according to EPA and DOT regulations.
Dispose of the material according to waste disposal methods
provided below. Dispose of decontaminate according to Federal,
State, and local laws. Conduct general area monitoring with an
approved monitor to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations
do not exceed the airborne exposure limits (See Sections II and
VIII).
If 10 wt.% sodium hydroxide is not available then the following
decontaminants may be used instead and are listed in order of
preference: Decontaminating Agent, D2 (DS2), Sodium Carbonate
and Supertropical Bleach Slurry (STB).
RECOMMENDED LABORATORY PROCEDURES: A minimum
of 56 grams of decon solution is required for each gram of GA. The
decontamination solution is agitated while GA is added and the
agitation is maintained for at least one hour. The resulting solution
is allowed to react for 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, the
solution must be titrated to a pH between 10 and 12. After
completion of the 24-hour period, the decontamination solution
must be treated with excess bleach (2.5 mole OCl/mole GA) to
destroy the CN formed during the hydrolysis. Scoop up all material
and clothing and place in a DOT container. Cover the contents with
additional bleach. After sealing, the exterior of the container will
be decontaminated and labeled according to state, EPA and DOT
regulations. All leaking containers will be over packed with
vermiculite placed between the interior and exterior containers.
Decontaminate and label according to State, EPA and DOT
regulations. Conduct general area monitoring with an approved
monitor to confirm that the atmospheric concentrations do not
exceed the airborne exposure limits (See Sections II and VIII).
Note: GA may react to form cyanogen chloride (CK) in bleach
slurry.
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Open pit burning or burying of
GA or items containing or contaminated with GA in any quantity is
prohibited. The detoxified GA (using procedures above) can be
thermally destroyed by incineration in EPA approved incinerators
in accordance with appropriate provisions of Federal, State and
local Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations.
NOTE: Some states define decomtaminated surety material as an
RCRA hazardous waste.
SECTION VIII - SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: CONCENTRATIONRESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
< 0.0001 mg/m3A full face piece, chemical canister, air-purifying
protective mask will be on hand for escape. (The M9-, M17-, or M40-series masks are acceptable for this purpose. Other masks certified as equivalent may be used).
>0.0001 or = 0.2 mg/m3A NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full face piece SCBA or supplied air respirators with escape air cylinder may be used. Alternatively, a full face piece, chemical canister air-purifying protective mask is acceptable for this purpose (See DA PAM 385-61for determination of appropriate level)
>0.2 mg/m3 or unknownNIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand full face piece SCBA suitable for use in high agent concentrations with protective ensemble (See DA
PAM 385-61 for examples).
VENTILATION:
Local Exhaust: Mandatory. Must be filtered or scrubbed. Air
emissions must meet local, state and federal regulations.
Special: Chemical laboratory hoods will have an average inward
face velocity of 100 linear feet per minute +/- 10% with the velocity
at any point not deviating from the average face velocity by more
than 20%. Existing laboratory hoods will have an inward face
velocity of 150 lfpm +/- 20%. Laboratory hoods will be located
such that cross drafts do not exceed 20% of the inward face
velocity. A visual performance test using smoke producing devices
will be performed in the assessment of the hoods ability to contain
agent GA.
Other: Recirculation of exhaust air from agent areas is prohibited.
Do not connect agent areas and other areas through the ventilation
system . Emergency backup power is necessary. Hoods should be
tested at least semiannually or after modification or maintenance
operations. Operations should be performed 20 centimeters inside
hood face.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Butyl Rubber Glove M3 and M4
Norton, Chemical Protective Glove Set
EYE PROTECTION: As a minimum chemical goggles will be
worn. For splash hazards use goggles and face shield.
OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: For general lab work,
gloves and lab coat will be worn with mask readily accessible. In
addition, daily clean smocks, foot covers, and head covers will be
required when handling contaminated lab animals.
MONITORING: Available monitoring equipment for agent GA is
the Automatic Chemical Agent Detector Alarm (ACADA), bubblers
(GC method), Miniature Chemical Agent Monitor (MINICAM),
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM) and Real Time Analytical
Platform (RTAP).
Real-time, low-level monitors (with alarm) are required for GA
operations. In their absence, an Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health (IDLH) atmosphere must be presumed. Laboratory
operations conducted in appropriately maintained and alarmed
engineering controls require only periodic low-level monitoring.
SECTION IX - SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN HANDLING AND
STORING: In handling agents, the buddy system will be
incorporated. No smoking, eating and drinking in areas containing
agents is permitted. Containers should be periodically inspected for
leaks (either visually or by a detector kit). Stringent control over
all personnel practices must be exercised. Decontamination
equipment will be conveniently placed. Exits must be designed to
permit rapid evacuation. Chemical showers, eyewash stations, and
personal cleanliness facilities must be provided. Wash hands before
meals and each worker will shower thoroughly with special
attention given to hair, face, neck, and hands, using plenty of soap
and water before leaving at the end of the workday.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Agents must be double contained in
liquid and vapor tight containers when in storage or outside a
ventilation hood.
For additional information see "AR. 385-61, The Army Toxic
Chemical Agent Safety Program," "DA PAM 385-61, Toxic
Chemical Agent Safety Standards," and "AR. 40-8, Occupational
Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational
Exposure to Nerve Agents GA, GB, GD, and VX."
SECTION X - TRANSPORTATION DATA
PROPER SHIPPING NAME: Poisonous liquids, n.o.s.
DOT HAZARD CLASSIFICATION: 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard
Zone B
DOT LABEL: Poison
DOT MARKING: Poisonous liquids, n.o.s. (Ethyl dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate)
UN 2810, Inhalation Hazard
DOT PLACARD: Poison
EMERGENCY ACCIDENT PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES: See Sections IV, VII, and VIII.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN TRANSPORTATION: Motor
vehicles will be placarded regardless of quantity. Drivers will be
given full information regarding shipment and conditions in case of
an emergency. AR 50-6 deals specifically with the shipment of
chemical agents. Shipments of agent will be escorted in accordance
with AR 740-32.
While the Edgewood Research Development, and Engineering
Center, Department of the Army believes that the data contained
herein are factual and the opinions expressed are those of the
experts regarding the results of the tests conducted, the data are not
to be taken as a warranty or representation for which the
Department of the Army or Edgewood Research Development, and
Engineering Center assume legal responsibility. They are offered
solely for your consideration, investigation, and verification. Any
use of these data and information must be determined by the user to
be in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and
regulations.
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