totse.com | Material Safety Data Sheet: GA/Tabun (Lethal Nerve Agent)

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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

Ethyl dimethylplosphoramidocyanidate
Dimethylaminoethoxy-cyanophosphine oxide
Dimethylamidoethoxyphosphoryl cyanide
Ethyldimethylaminocyanophosphonate
Ethyl ester of dimethylphosphoroamidocyanidic acid
Ethylphosphorodimethylamidocyanidate
GA
EA1205
Tabun

INGREDIENTS NAME FORMULA % BY WEIGHT AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMIT (AEL)
GAC5H11N2O2P1000.0001 mg/m3

SOLUBILITY: Slightly soluble in water: (g/100 g): 9.8 @ 25 C; 7.2 @ 20 C. Readily soluble in organic solvents.

APPEARANCE & ODOR: Colorless to brown liquid, faintly fruity odor. No odor when pure.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

< 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).

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.

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."

DOT MARKING: Poisonous liquids, n.o.s. (Ethyl dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate) UN 2810, Inhalation Hazard

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.