Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDROCARBONS, C12-20, CATALYTIC ALKYLATION BY-PRODUCTS

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Fuel oil Residual oils are manufactured in whole or in part from distillation residues
from distillation residues from refinery processing. Residual oils are complex mixtures of
relatively high molecular weight compounds and are difficult to characterize in detail.
Molecular types include asphaltenes, polar aromatics, naphthalene aromatics, aromatics,
saturated hydrocarbons and heteromolecules containing sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen and metals.
Most blending stocks of residual fuel oils are likely to contain 5% or more of four- to
six- ring condensed aromatic hydrocarbons. In residual fuel oils, the identities and
concentration of PAHs depends on the nature and amount of the low viscosity blending
stocks and the proportions of virgin and cracked residues used in their production. If the
blending stocks are primarily atmospheric or vacuum residues, the concentration of three-
to seven- ring aromatic hydrocarbons are likely to be in the order of 6- 8%; if larger
quantities of heavily catalytically cracked or steam cracked components are used, the
levels may approach 20%. One of the blending stocks, catalytically cracked clarified oil
has been reported to contain 58% three- to five- ring aromatic hydrocarbons and 22%
carbazoles and benzocarbazoles.

SYNONYMS

"heavy alkylate hydrocarbons", "lean oil still overhead", "light distillate", "cumene
bottoms"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Inhaling high concentrations of mixed hydrocarbons can cause narcosis, with nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness. Low molecular weight (C2-C12) hydrocarbons can irritate mucous membranes and cause incoordination, giddiness, nausea, vertigo, confusion, headache, appetite loss, drowsiness, tremors and stupor. Massive exposures can lead to severe central nervous system depression, deep coma and death. Convulsions can occur due to brain irritation and/or lack of oxygen. Permanent scarring may occur, with epileptic seizures and brain bleeds occurring months after exposure. Respiratory system effects include inflammation of the lungs with edema and bleeding. Lighter species mainly cause kidney and nerve damage; the heavier paraffins and olefins are especially irritant to the respiratory system. Alkenes produce pulmonary edema at high concentrations. Liquid paraffins may produce sensation loss and depressant actions leading to weakness, dizziness, slow and shallow respiration, unconsciousness, convulsions and death. C5-7 paraffins may also produce multiple nerve damage. Aromatic hydrocarbons accumulate in lipid rich tissues (typically the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves) and may produce functional impairment manifested by nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, weakness,  fatigue, vertigo; severe exposures may produce inebriation or unconsciousness. Many of the petroleum hydrocarbons can sensitize the heart and may cause ventricular fibrillation,  leading to death.  Hydrogen sulfide poisoning can cause increased secretion of saliva, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, giddiness, headache, vertigo, memory loss, palpitations, heartbeat irregularities, weakness, muscle cramps, confusion, sudden collapse, unconsciousness and death due to paralysis of breathing (at levels above 300 parts per million). The "rotten egg" odor is not a good indicator of exposure since odor fatigue occurs and odor is lost at over 200 ppm. The gas can enter the body through a punctured ear drum and even wearing some respiratory protection. Immediate supportive care is essential. Ensure medical help is addressed as part of the site emergency plan and that employees who may be accidentally exposed are made aware of the existence of such a plan.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  

  Prolonged or repeated contact may produce moderate irritation and tumours  or cancers of the skin. Occupational exposure may result in adverse  effects on the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, thymus and bone marrow.  In rats, maternally toxic doses of clarified oils produced delayed  development and embryo-foetal death. The material gave a positive result  in mutagenic tests.  If used repeatedly, middle distillates can cause irritate the skin and cause skin cancers. The kidneys may also be damaged.  High boiling, catalytically cracked distillates produce a high incidence of benign and malignant skin tumors when applied to the skin of mice, rabbits and monkeys. Tumor incidence appears to increase with boiling point; further fraction of the distillate shows this activity to be maximal in the fraction having boiling points of 500-520 C and is concentrated in the aromatic fraction.  Constant or exposure over long periods to mixed hydrocarbons may produce stupor with dizziness, weakness and visual disturbance, weight loss and anemia, and reduced liver and kidney function. Skin exposure may result in drying and cracking and redness of the skin. Chronic exposure to lighter hydrocarbons can cause nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, bone marrow dysfunction and psychiatric disorders as well as damage the liver and kidneys.  Oil may contact the skin or be inhaled. Extended exposure can lead to eczema, inflammation of hair follicles, pigmentation of the face and warts on the soles of the feet. Exposure to oil mists can cause asthma, pneumonia and scarring of the lungs. Oils have been linked to cancer of the skin and scrotum. Compounds that are less viscous and with smaller molecular weights are more dangerous. There may be liver damage and the lymph nodes may be affected; heart inflammation can also occur at high doses.  Long term low level exposure to hydrogen sulfide may produce headache, fatigue, dizziness,  irritability and loss of sexual desire. These symptoms may also result when exposed to hydrogen sulfide at high concentration for a short period of time.