Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: MALEIC ANHYDRIDE
Synonyms: cis-Butenedioic Anhydride; Maleic Acid Anhydride CAS Number: 108-31-6
Chemical Name: 2,5-Furandione RTK Substance Number: 1152
Date: February 2009 Revision: June 2016 DOT Number: UN 2215

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

Maleic Anhydride is a colorless, needle-like, crystalline (sand- Hazard Summary
like), flake, pellet or lumpy, fused mass with a strong, irritating Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA
odor. It is used as a co-polymer in making polyester and other HEALTH - 3
resins, and as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals and pesticides. FLAMMABILITY - 1
REACTIVITY - 1
 ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.32 ppm
CORROSIVE
 Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to
COMBUSTIBLE
determine potentially hazardous exposures.
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE

Reasons for Citation Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
 Maleic Anhydride is on the Right to Know Hazardous
Substance List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT,
NIOSH, DEP, NFPA and EPA.  Maleic Anhydride can affect you when inhaled and by
 This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance passing through the skin.
List.  Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible
eye damage.
 Maleic Anhydride can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Maleic Anhydride can irritate the lungs. Higher
exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5.
(pulmonary edema), a medical emergency.
 Exposure to Maleic Anhydride can cause headache,
FIRST AID dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Eye Contact  Maleic Anhydride may cause a skin allergy and an asthma-
 Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 like allergy.
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact  Maleic Anhydride may affect the kidneys.
lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention
immediately.

Skin Contact
Workplace Exposure Limits
 Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
contaminated skin with large amounts of water. 0.25 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift.

Inhalation NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is

 Remove the person from exposure.
0.25 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift.
 Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
 Transfer promptly to a medical facility. ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.0025 ppm
 Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed.

 The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
EMERGENCY NUMBERS contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 air levels are less than the limits listed above.
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard

 According to the information presently available to the New
 Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Maleic
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product Anhydride has been tested and has not been shown to
ingredients and important safety and health information affect reproduction.
about the product mixture.
Other Effects
 For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New
 Maleic Anhydride can irritate the lungs. Repeated
Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing,
Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, available on the RTK phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.
Program website  Maleic Anhydride may cause a skin allergy. If allergy
(http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/ri develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a
ght-to-know/) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or skin rash.
 Maleic Anhydride may cause an asthma-like allergy.
Hazard Communication Standard file. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of
 You have a right to this information under the New Jersey breath, wheezing, coughing, and/or chest tightness.
Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public  Maleic Anhydride may affect the kidneys.
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you Medical
are a private worker. Medical Testing
 The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and following are recommended:
requires public employers to provide their employees with
 Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure
information concerning chemical hazards and controls.
 Lung function tests. The results may be normal if the person
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 is not having an attack at the time of the test.
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication  Evaluation by a qualified allergist can help diagnose skin
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide allergy.
similar information and training to their employees.  Kidney function tests

This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential exposure.
effects described below.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
Health Hazard Information Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Acute Health Effects Mixed Exposures

The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur  Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer,
immediately or shortly after exposure to Maleic Anhydride: emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen
respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if
 Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce
eye damage. your risk of developing health problems.
 Maleic Anhydride can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Maleic Anhydride can irritate the lungs causing
coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may
cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a
medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
 Exposure to Maleic Anhydride can cause headache,
dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Chronic Health Effects

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

Cancer Hazard
 There is no evidence that Maleic Anhydride causes cancer
in animals. This is based on test results presently available
to the NJDHSS from published studies.
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 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  Do not wear contact lenses when working with this
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust substance.
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control Respiratory Protection
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. program that takes into account workplace conditions,
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
The following work practices are also recommended:
medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
 Label process containers. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
 Provide employees with hazard information and training.
 Monitor airborne chemical concentrations.  Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.0025 ppm,
 Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full
recommended exposure levels. facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-
 Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination
 Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus
material. operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
 Always wash at the end of the workshift. mode.
 Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes  Exposure to 2.5 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
contaminated. health. If the possibility of exposure above 2.5 ppm exists,
 Do not take contaminated clothing home. use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus
 Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other
 Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are positive-pressure mode equipped with an emergency escape
being handled, processed or stored. air cylinder.
 Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking,
applying cosmetics or using the toilet.
Fire Hazards
In addition, the following may be useful or required:
If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
 Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- (29 CFR 1910.156).
up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP.
 Maleic Anhydride is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID.
 Use CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam as
Personal Protective Equipment extinguishing agents.
 DO NOT USE DRY CHEMICAL OR SOLID STREAMS OF
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR WATER.
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate  POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train  CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
employees on how and when to use protective equipment.  Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.

The following recommendations are only guidelines and may

not apply to every situation.

Gloves and Clothing

 Avoid skin contact with Maleic Anhydride. Wear personal
protective equipment made from material which cannot 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 Silver
Shield®/4H® for gloves, and Tychem® Responder®, or the
equivalent, as a protective material for clothing.
 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE 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 Maleic Anhydride 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 Maleic Right to Know Program
Anhydride as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state PO Box 368
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Phone: 609-984-2202
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations.
Fax: 609-984-7407
E-mail: [email protected]
Handling and Storage
Web address:
http://www.state.nj.us/health/workplacehealthandsafety/
Prior to working with Maleic Anhydride you should be trained right-to-know/
on its proper handling and storage.
The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
 Maleic Anhydride reacts violently with STRONG BASES are not intended to be copied and sold
(such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE) and contact with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such for commercial purposes.
as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES,
CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and
FLUORINE) may cause fires and explosions.
 Maleic Anhydride reacts with WATER to release HEAT and
Maleic Acid.
 Maleic Anhydride is not compatible with ALKALI METALS
(such as LITHIUM, SODIUM and POTASSIUM); ALKALINE
EARTH METALS (such as BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM and
CALCIUM); AMINES; CARBONATES; HYDROXIDES; and
AQUEOUS AMMONIA.
 Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from MOISTURE and METALS.
 Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Maleic Anhydride is used, handled, or
stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or
explosion hazard.
 Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when
opening and closing containers of Maleic Anhydride.
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by proposes standards to OSHA.
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the and reviews evidence for cancer.
regulations of the United States government.
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn. Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers. 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 Hydrogen), at the
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured same 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.

LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of

a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
continuing an explosion.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: MALEIC ANHYDRIDE

Synonyms: cis-Butenedioic Anhydride; Maleic Acid Anhydride
CAS No: 108-31-6
Molecular Formula: C4H2O3
RTK Substance No: 1152
Description: Colorless, needle-like, crystalline, flake, pellet or lumpy, fused mass with a strong, irritating odor
HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
3 - Health COMBUSTIBLE SOLID Maleic Anhydride reacts violently with STRONG BASES
Use CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM
1 - Fire foam as extinguishing agents. HYDROXIDE) and contact with OXIDIZING AGENTS
(such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
1 - Reactivity DO NOT USE DRY CHEMICAL OR SOLID
PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
STREAMS OF WATER. CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE) may cause fires
DOT#: UN 2215
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN and explosions.
ERG Guide #: 156 FIRE. Maleic Anhydride reacts with WATER to release HEAT
Hazard Class: 8 CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. and Maleic Acid.
(Corrosive) Use water spray to keep fire-exposed Maleic Anhydride is not compatible with ALKALI
containers cool. METALS (such as LITHIUM, SODIUM and
POTASSIUM); ALKALINE EARTH METALS (such as
BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM and CALCIUM); AMINES;
CARBONATES; HYDROXIDES; and AQUEOUS AMMONIA.
SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Odor Threshold: 0.32 ppm
Isolation Distance:
Flash Point: 218oF (103oC)
Spill: 25 meters (75 feet) LEL: 1.4%
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile) UEL: 7.1%
Moisten spilled material first or use a HEPA-filter Auto Ignition Temp: 890oF (477oC)
vacuum for clean-up and place into sealed containers Vapor Density: 3.4 (air = 1)
for disposal. Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially Specific Gravity: 1.5 (water = 1)
when opening and closing containers of Maleic Water Solubility: Soluble/Reactive
Anhydride. Boiling Point: 396oF (202oC)
DO NOT wash into sewer. Melting Point: 127oF (53oC)
Ionization Potential: 9.9 eV
Molecular Weight: 98.1
EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
OSHA: 0.25 ppm, 8-hr TWA Gloves: Silver Shield®/4H® (>4-hr breakthrough)
NIOSH: 0.25 ppm, 10-hr TWA
ACGIH: 0.0025 ppm, 8-hr TWA Coveralls: DuPont Tychem® Responder® (>8-hr breakthrough)
IDLH: 2.5 ppm Respirator: >0.0025 ppm - SCBA
The Protective Action Criteria values are:
PAC-1 = 0.2 ppm; PAC-2 = 2 ppm; PAC-3 = 20 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
contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention immediately.
Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation with
coughing and severe shortness of breath Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with
(pulmonary edema) large amounts of water.
Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
Headache, dizziness, nausea and
vomiting Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Medical observation is recommended as symptoms may be delayed.
June 2016