Domestic production of biodiesel - health and safety warning

Potential Health Effects:

INHALATION:
Negligible unless heated to produce vapors. Vapors or finely misted materials may irritate the mucous membranes and cause irritation, dizziness, and nausea. Remove to fresh air.

EYE CONTACT:
May cause irritation. Irrigate eye with water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

SKIN CONTACT:
Prolonged or repeated contact is not likely to cause significant skin irritation. Material is sometimes encountered at elevated temperatures. Thermal burns are possible.

INGESTION:
No hazards anticipated from ingestion incidental to industrial exposure.

FIRST AID MEASURES

EYES:
Irrigate eyes with a heavy stream of water for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

SKIN:
Wash exposed areas of the body with soap and water.

INHALATION:
Remove from area of exposure, seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

INGESTION:
Give one or two glasses of water to drink. If gastro-intestinal symptoms develop, consult medical personnel. (Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.)

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flash Point (Method Used): 100.0° C min (ASTM 93)
Flammability Limits: None known

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Dry chemical, foam, halon, CO2 , water spray (fog). Water stream may splash the burning liquid and spread fire.

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES:
Use water spray to cool drums exposed to fire.

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Oil soaked rags can cause spontaneous combustion if not handled properly. Before disposal, wash rags with soap and water and dry in well ventilated area. Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid exposure to smoke and vapor.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES

Remove sources of ignition, contain spill to smallest area possible. Stop leak if possible. Pick up small spills with absorbent materials such as paper towels, "Oil Dry", sand or dirt. Recover large spills for salvage or disposal. Wash hard surfaces with safety solvent or detergent to remove remaining oil film. Greasy nature will result in a slippery surface.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Store in closed containers between 50° F and 120° F.
Keep away from oxidizing agents, excessive heat, and ignition sources.
Store and use in well ventilated areas.
Do not store or use near heat, spark, or flame, store out of sun.
Do not puncture, drag, or slide this container.
Drum is not a pressure vessel; never use pressure to empty.

EXPOSURE CONTROL /PERSONAL PROTECTION

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
If vapours or mists are generated, wear a NIOSH approved organic vapor/mist respirator.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:
Safety glasses, goggles, or face shield recommended to protect eyes from mists or splashing. PVC coated gloves recommended to prevent skin contact.

OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES:

Employees must practice good personal hygiene, washing exposed areas of skin several times daily and laundering contaminated clothing before re-use.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Boiling Point, 760 mm Hg:>200°C             Volatiles, % by Volume: <2
Specific Gravity (H2 O=1): 0.88                  Solubility in H2 O, % by Volume: insoluble
Vapour Pressure, mm Hg: <2                      Evaporation Rate, Butyl Acetate=1: <1
Vapour Density, Air=1:>1
Appearance and Odour: pale yellow liquid, mild odour

STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

GENERAL:
This product is stable and hazardous polymerisation will not occur.

INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS AND CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
Strong oxidizing agents

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Combustion produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide along with thick smoke.

 

DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

WASTE DISPOSAL:
Waste may be disposed of by a licensed waste disposal company. Contaminated absorbent material may be disposed of in an approved landfill. Follow local, state and federal disposal regulations.

TRANSPORT INFORMATION

UN HAZARD CLASS: N/A

NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification):
PROPER SHIPPING NAME: Fatty acid ester
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 144920
SHIPPING CLASSIFICATION: 65

REGULATORY INFORMATION

OSHA STATUS:
This product is not hazardous under the criteria of the Federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. However, thermal processing and decomposition fumes from this product may be hazardous as noted in Sections 2 and 3.

TSCA STATUS:
This product is listed on TSCA.

CERCLA (Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act):
NOT reportable.

SARA TITLE III (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorisation Act):
Section 312 Extremely Hazardous Substances:
None
Section 311/312 Hazard Categories:
Non-hazardous under Section 311/312
Section 313 Toxic Chemicals:
None

RCRA STATUS:
If discarded in its purchased form, this product would not be a hazardous waste either by listing or by characteristic. However, under RCRA, it is the responsibility of the product user to determine at the time of disposal, whether a material containing the product or derived from the product should be classified as a hazardous waste, (40 CFR 261.20-24)

Health Effects: In May 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA’s Tier I and Tier II Health Effects testing under Section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act. The Tier I testing conclusively demonstrated biodiesel’s significant reductions in most currently regulated emissions as well as most unregulated emissions—especially those associated with cancer and lung disease. Tier II testing demonstrated biodiesel’s non-toxic effect on health.

TESTING

The first tier of health effects testing was conducted by Southwest Research Institute and involved a detailed analysis of biodiesel emissions.  Tier II was conducted by Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, where a 90-day sub-chronic inhalation study of biodiesel exhaust with specific health assessments was completed.

RESULTS

Results of the health effects testing concluded that biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable, posing no threat to human health.  Also among the findings of biodiesel emissions compared to petroleum diesel emissions:

• The overall ozone (smog) forming potential of exhaust emissions from biodiesel is 50% less.

• The exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas and a contributing factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) from biodiesel are 50% lower.

• The exhaust emissions of particulate matter (recognized as a contributing factor in the respiratory disease) from biodiesel are 30% lower.

• The exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are complete eliminated.

• The exhaust emissions of hydrocarbons (a contributing factor in the localized formation of smog and ozone) are 95% lower.

• The exhaust emissions for aromatic compounds known as PAH and NPAH compounds (suspected of causing cancer) are substantially reduced for biodiesel compared to diesel.  Most PAH compounds were reduced by 75% to 85%.  All NPAH compounds were reduced by at least 90%. 

SIGNIFICANCE

The health effects testing results provide conclusive scientific evidence using the most sophisticated technology available to validate the existing body of testing data.  The comprehensive body of biodiesel data serves to demonstrate the significant benefits of biodiesel to the environment and to public health.  This will lead to increase consumer confidence and increased use of biodiesel.  Since the majority of biodiesel is made from soybean oil, a promising new market is materializing for soybeans.