Benzenesulfonyl chloride

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

INHALATION: Move victim to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

General First Aid:

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U020, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

A potential candidate for liquid injection incineration at a temperature range of 650 to 1,600 °C and a residence time of 0.1 to 2 seconds. A potential candidate for rotary kiln incineration at a temperature range of 820 to 1,600 °C and residence times of seconds for liquids and gases, and hours for solids.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 156 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

Immediate precautionary measure

0.77 [mg/m3]

8.4 [mg/m3]

51 [mg/m3]

TERRESTRIAL FATE: If benzenesulfonyl chloride is released to soil, it will be expected to rapidly hydrolyze if the soil is moist, based upon a half-life of 5.1 min at 21 °C(SRC). Since it rapidly hydrolyzes, adsorption to and volatilization from moist soil are not expected to be significant processes, although no data specifically regarding the fate of benzenesulfonyl chloride in soil were located(SRC). Based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 0.068 mm Hg at 25 deg(2,SRC), volatilization from dry near-surface soil or other surfaces may be significant processes(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: If benzenesulfonyl chloride is released to water, it will be expected to rapidly hydrolyze with a half-life of 5.1 min at 21 °C(1,SRC). Since it rapidly hydrolyzes, bioconcentration, volatilization, and adsorption to sediment and suspended solids are not expected to be significant processes(SRC). No data were located concerning biodegradation, but benzenesulfonyl chloride probably chemically hydrolyzes significantly faster than it biodegradates(SRC). Direct photolysis is not expected to be an important removal process in surface waters(2,SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: If benzenesulfonyl chloride is released to the atmosphere, it will be expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor phase(1) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 0.068 mm Hg at 25 °C(2,SRC). It will be susceptible to photooxidation via vapor phase reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. An atmospheric half-life of 7.9 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm has been calculated for this process based upon an estimated rate constant(3,SRC). Hydrolysis of benzenesulfonyl chloride in moist air may be significant based upon its rapid hydrolysis in aqueous solution(4,SRC). Direct photolysis is not expected to be an important removal process in the atmosphere(5,SRC).

PERCUTANEOUS ABSORPTION WHICH CAN OCCUR ON MUCOUS MEMBRANES HAS BIOLOGICAL EFFECT ON SKIN & RESULTS IN REVERSIBLE TOXIC DAMAGE TO LIVER; 3 SUCH CASES ARE DESCRIBED. 2 PATIENTS EXPERIENCED VERY SEVERE SHOCK WHICH WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AFTER 1 TO 1.5 HR. POSSIBILITY THAT IMMEDIATE TYPE ALLERGIC REACTION OCCURS IS DISCUSSED.

Benzenesulfony chloride may be released to the environmet as a result of its manufacture and use as a catalyst and as an intermediate in the production of phenol and other organic chemicals(1). Benzenesulfonyl chloride has been used in the Friedel-Crafts sulfonylation of benzene(2).

No data were located concerning the biodegradation of benzenesulfonyl chloride either in natural systems or in laboratory studies(SRC). Since benzenesulfonyl chloride rapidly hydrolyzes in water(1,SRC), biodegradation probably will not be an important process in the environment(SRC).

Due to a lack of data, it is not possible to estimate the half-life for volatilization from water or soil. Since benzenesulfonyl chloride rapidly hydrolyzes in water(1), however, volatilization from water and moist soil are not expected to be significant(SRC). Based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 0.068 mm Hg at 25 °C(2,SRC), volatilization of benzenesulfonyl chloride from surfaces and near-surface dry soil may be significant processes(SRC).

The measured overall rate constant for hydrolysis of benzenesulfonyl chloride in a 1% aqueous dioxane solution at 21 °C is 2.25X10-3 sec-1(1) which corresponds to a half-life of 5.1 min(1,SRC). The calculated half-life for hydrolysis at 10 °C is 12.9 min(1,SRC). The products of hydrolysis are benzenesulfonic acid and hydrogen chloride(SRC). The rate constant for the vapor phase reaction of benzenesulfonyl chloride with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated to be 2.04X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C which corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of 7.9 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm (2,SRC). Direct photolysis is not expected to be a significant removal process since the compound absorbs very little light at wavelengths above 290 nm(3).

Exposure to benzenesulfonyl chloride will be primarily occupational via inhalation and possibly dermal contact. (SRC)

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 851 workers are potentially exposed to benzenesulfonyl chloride in the USA(1). NIOSH (NOHS Survey 1972-1974) has statistically estimated that 194 workers are potentially exposed to benzenesulfonyl chloride in the USA(2).

U020; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when benzenesulfonyl chloride as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5).

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Benzenesulfonyl chloride is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).