Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: IODINE
Synonyms: Diatomic Iodine CAS Number: 7553-56-2
Chemical Name: Iodine RTK Substance Number: 1026
Date: February 2010 Revision: September 2016 DOT Number: UN 3085

Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE

Iodine is a purple to black, crystalline (sand-like) solid with a Hazard Summary
sharp, strong odor. It is used in pharmaceuticals, dyes, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA
photographic materials, lithography, special soaps, antiseptics, HEALTH 3 -
and in x-ray contrast. FLAMMABILITY 0 -
REACTIVITY 0 -
OXIDIZER
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
DOES NOT BURN

Reasons for Citation

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
 Iodine is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List
because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT and NIOSH.  Iodine can affect you when inhaled and may be absorbed
through the skin.
 Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
 Exposure can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Iodine can irritate the lungs. Higher exposures may
cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a
medical emergency.
 Iodine can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. abdominal pain.
 Exposure to high concentrations, particularly in susceptible
individuals, may cause a skin allergy.
FIRST AID  High exposure to Iodine may affect the liver and kidneys.
Eye Contact  Iodine may cause thyroid gland disturbances.
 Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15  Iodine is not combustible, but it is a STRONG OXIDIZER
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact that enhances the combustion of other substances.
lenses, if worn, while rinsing. Seek medical attention.

Skin Contact
 Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash Workplace Exposure Limits
contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.1 ppm, not to be exceeded at any time.
Inhalation
 Remove the person from exposure.
 Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. 0.1 ppm, which should not be exceeded at any time.
 Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
 Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.01 ppm (as the
inhalable fraction and vapor) averaged over an 8-hour
workshift and 0.1 ppm (as the vapor) as a STEL
EMERGENCY NUMBERS (short-term exposure limit).
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300  The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 air levels are less than the limits listed above.
IODINE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard

 There is limited evidence that high levels may inhibit milk
 Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data production in females.
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product  There is limited evidence that Iodine may damage the
ingredients and important safety and health information developing fetus.
about the product mixture.
Other Effects
 For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New
 Exposure to high concentrations, particularly in susceptible
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services individuals, may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops,
Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, available on the RTK very low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash.
Program website  Inhaling Iodine can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure
(http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/ri may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm,
ght-to-know/) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or and/or shortness of breath.
 High exposure to Iodine may affect the liver and kidneys.
Hazard Communication Standard file.
 Iodine may cause thyroid gland disturbances.
 You have a right to this information under the New Jersey
Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act
Medical
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Medical Testing
are a private worker. For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or
greater), the following are recommended before beginning
 The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most work and at regular times after that:
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and
requires public employers to provide their employees with  Liver and kidney function tests
information concerning chemical hazards and controls.
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
following are recommended:
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide  Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure
similar information and training to their employees.  Evaluation of thyroid function
 Evaluation by a qualified allergist can help diagnose skin
This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information allergy.
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
effects described below. damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
exposure.

Health Hazard Information Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
Acute Health Effects Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Iodine:
Mixed Exposures
 Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer,
 Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes.
emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen
 Exposure can irritate the nose and throat.
respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if
 Inhaling Iodine can irritate the lungs causing coughing
you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce
and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a
your risk of developing health problems.
build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical
 More than light alcohol consumption can cause liver
emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
damage. Drinking alcohol can increase the liver damage
 Iodine can cause headache, metallic taste, nausea,
caused by Iodine.
vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Iodine and can last for months or
years:

Cancer Hazard
 While Iodine has been tested, it is not classifiable as to its
potential to cause cancer.
IODINE Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection

Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or  Wear eye protection with side shields or goggles.
sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less  Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust Respiratory Protection
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on program that takes into account workplace conditions,
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/.
medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
The following work practices are also recommended: Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

 Label process containers.  Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.01 ppm (as
 Provide employees with hazard information and training. the inhalable fraction and vapor), use a NIOSH approved
 Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in a
 Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. For
recommended exposure levels. increased protection use in combination with an auxiliary
 Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. self-contained breathing apparatus or an emergency escape
 Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous air cylinder.
material.  Exposure to 2 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
 Always wash at the end of the workshift. health. If the possibility of exposure above 2 ppm exists,
 Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus
contaminated. with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other
 Do not take contaminated clothing home. positive-pressure mode equipped with an emergency escape
 Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. air cylinder.
 Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are
being handled, processed or stored.
 Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, Fire Hazards
applying cosmetics or using the toilet.
If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
In addition, the following may be useful or required: (29 CFR 1910.156).

 Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-  Iodine is not combustible, but it is a STRONG OXIDIZER
up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. that enhances the combustion of other substances.
 Use water only. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL or CO2 as
extinguishing agents.
Personal Protective Equipment  POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
Hydrogen Iodide and other Iodine compounds.
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR  Iodine may ignite combustibles (wood, paper and oil).
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train
employees on how and when to use protective equipment.

The following recommendations are only guidelines and may

not apply to every situation.

Gloves and Clothing

 Avoid skin contact with Iodine. Wear personal protective
equipment made from material which can not be permeated
or degraded by this substance. Safety equipment suppliers
and manufacturers can provide recommendations on the
most protective glove and clothing material for your
operation.
 Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Butyl, Nitrile,
Neoprene and Viton for gloves, and Tychem® SL, CPF 3,
CPF 4, BR, Responder® and TK, or the equivalent, as
protective clothing materials.
 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
IODINE Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information

If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
Resources
properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services,
1910.120) may apply. Occupational Health Service, offers multiple services in
occupational health. These services include providing
If Iodine is spilled, take the following steps: informational resources, educational materials, public
presentations, and industrial hygiene and medical
 Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the investigations and evaluations.
area.
 Eliminate all ignition sources.
 Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter vacuum for
For more information, please contact:
clean-up and place into sealed containers for disposal.
 Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete.
 DO NOT wash into sewer. New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
 It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Iodine as a Right to Know Program
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of PO Box 368
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific Phone: 609-984-2202
recommendations.
Fax: 609-984-7407
E-mail: [email protected]
Handling and Storage
Web address:
http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to-
Prior to working with Iodine you should be trained on its proper know
handling and storage.
The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
 Iodine reacts violently or explosively with ACETYLENE; are not intended to be copied and sold
ACETALDEHYDE; METAL AZIDES; METAL HYDRIDES;
and METAL CARBIDES. for commercial purposes.
 Iodine forms explosive or shock-sensitive compounds when
mixed with REDUCING AGENTS (such as LITHIUM,
SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES) and liquid
AMMONIA.
 Iodine will ignite POWDERED METALS (such as
ANTIMONY, MAGNESIUM and ZINC) in the presence of
WATER.
 Iodine is not compatible with COMBUSTIBLES; STRONG
BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE); HALOGENS (such as CHLORINE,
BROMINE and CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE); and ETHANOL.
 Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area.
IODINE Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. continuing an explosion.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established
It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can
can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the
proposes standards to OSHA.
regulations of the United States government.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
and reviews evidence for cancer.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers.
Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
The critical temperature is the temperature above which a
gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied.
PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational
Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
safety standards in public workplaces.
Protection.
Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
materials.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
measure of concentration by volume in air.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by
ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for
the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and
emergency responders for transportation emergencies
ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical
involving hazardous substances.
release events.
Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
provide estimates of concentration ranges where one
energy under certain conditions.
reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time
during a work day.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
damaging the fetus.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in
air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
reaction or explosion.
scientific group.
Vapor Density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of
Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to
one gas to the weight of another (usually Air), at the same
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured
temperature and pressure.
in electron volts.
The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on
equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase of the same
human health effects that may result from exposure to various
substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher
chemicals, maintained by federal EPA.
concentration of the substance in air.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: IODINE

Synonyms: Diatomic Iodine
CAS No: 7553-56-2
Molecular Formula: I2
RTK Substance No: 1026
Description: Purple to black, crystalline solid with a sharp, strong odor

HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
3 - Health Iodine is not combustible, but it is a STRONG Iodine reacts violently or explosively with ACETYLENE;
OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of ACETALDEHYDE; METAL AZIDES; METAL HYDRIDES; and
0 - Fire other substances. METAL CARBIDES.
Use water only. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL or Iodine forms explosive or shock-sensitive compounds when
0 - Reactivity
CO2 as extinguishing agents. mixed with REDUCING AGENTS (such as LITHIUM,
DOT#: UN 3085 SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES) and liquid
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN AMMONIA.
ERG Guide #: 140 FIRE, including Hydrogen Iodide and other Iodine will ignite POWDERED METALS (such as ANTIMONY,
Iodine compounds. MAGNESIUM and ZINC) in the presence of WATER.
Hazard Class: 5.1
Iodine may ignite combustibles (wood, paper Iodine is not compatible with COMBUSTIBLES; STRONG
(Oxidizer) and oil). BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE); HALOGENS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE
and CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE); and ETHANOL.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: Sharp, strong odor
Flash Point: Noncombustible
Spill: 25 meters (75 feet)
Vapor Density: 8.8 (air = 1)
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile)
Vapor Pressure: 0.3 mm Hg at 77oF (25oC)
Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter Specific Gravity: 4.93 (water = 1)
vacuum for clean-up and place into sealed containers
Water Solubility: Slightly soluble
for disposal.
Boiling Point: 365oF (185oC)
DO NOT wash into sewer.
Melting Point: 236oF (113oC)
Iodine may be hazardous in the environment;
especially to fish. Ionization Potential: 9.31 eV
Molecular Weight: 253.8

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

OSHA: 0.1 ppm, Ceiling Gloves: Butyl, Nitrile, Neoprene and Viton (>8-hr breakthrough)
NIOSH: 0.1 ppm, Ceiling
ACGIH: 0.01 ppm, 8-hr TWA; 0.1 ppm, STEL Coveralls: Tychem® BR, Responder® and TK (8-hr breakthrough)
IDLH: 2 ppm Respirator: > 0.01ppm SCBA
The Protective Action Criteria values are:
PAC-1 = 0.1 ppm; PAC-2 = 0.5 ppm; PAC-3 = 5 ppm

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION

Eyes: Irritation and burns Remove the person from exposure.
Skin: Irritation and burns Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove
Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation with contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.
coughing and severe shortness of breath Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with
(pulmonary edema) large amounts of soap and water.
Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
and abdominal pain Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Medical observation is recommended as symptoms may be delayed.

September 2016