Handling and Storage
Chlorobenzene need to be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly sealed containers that are labelled according to the OSHA’s hazard communication standard [29 CFR 1910.1200].
Outside or detached storage is highly preferable; however, if inside storage is to be used, the storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage room that meet OSHA requirements.
The containers used to store chlorobenzene need to be protected from any possible physical damage and should be stored separately form oxidizers, dimethyl sulfoxide, silver perchlorate, other incompatible chemicals, heat, sparks and open flame as cholorobenzene is categorized as rate 3 flammability which is severe fire hazard. All source of ignition must be eliminated. Thus, only non-sparking tools can be used to handle chlorobenzene as static electricity and formation of sparks must be prevented. The optimum temperature condition for the storage of chlorobenzene is between 16°C and 26°C; and it must be stored away from direct sunlight and moisture. The containers should also be grounded and bonded together for transfer in order to prevent static sparks. In addition, the containers previously used to store chlorobenzene need to be handle or disposed appropriately as it may still hold product residues.
Health Effect
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the current permissible exposure limit for chlorobenzene is 75 ppm (350 mg/m3). The routes for the exposure of chlorobenzene mainly occur through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact.
Chlorobenzene also mainly absorbed through the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, and dermal absorption. Chlorobenzene is lipophilic and has a tendency to accumulate in lipid-rich tissues in animal and humans. The effect of chlorobenzene to animals is irritation, narcosis, liver and kidney damage. However, fatal effect may occur at high concentration of chlorobenzene. For humans, if chlorobenzene is exposed at the concentration of 200 ppm, eye and nose irritation will occur and at high concentration, central nervous system depression will take place. If liquid chlorobenzene is just briefly in contact with skin, mild irritation occur, however if prolonged or repeated contact happened, burning of the skin will occur. The toxic effects of chlorobenzene on
humans were exhaustion, nausea, lethargy, headache and irritation to the upper respiratory tract and eye. Chlorobenzene is considered toxic and many studies conducted have found that the toxic effect of chlorobenzene on organisms in the environment includes mortality, immobilization and growth inhibition. The targeted organs for exposure of chlorobenzene are mainly kidneys and liver.
Environmental Release
Chlorobenzene does not occur naturally. It enters the atmosphere as fugitive emissions from the pesticide industry and from other industries that use it as a solvent (Howard 1989). Release of the chemical also occurs during the disposal of industrial wastes (Howard 1989). Concentrations of chlorobenzene in the atmosphere have typically ranged from < 0.02 ppb for remote areas to 0.8 ppb in cities; the maximum reported value measured was 12 ppb (Howard 1989).
Chlorobenzene is volatile (vapor pressure, 11.7 mm Hg) and slightly soluble in water (466.3 mg/L). The most important transport process for chemical from water and soil is evaporation. If chlorobenzene is released to moist soil, it will evaporate to the atmosphere; and if it is released to sandy soil, chlorobenzene will leach into the groundwater. Chlorobenzene will biodegrade very slow and might not degrade at all and remains in the environment.
If exposed to the air, the half-life of chlorobenzene is to be about 9 days or sometimes 20 to 40 hours under simulated atmospheric conditions. Usually, the chlorobenzene is removed from the atmosphere through reaction with hydroxyl radicals forming microbiophenyl and photolysis reaction. When exposed to the water, the chlorobenzene will have a half-life about 0.3 days in a river, and about 1 to 12 hours in a rapidly flowing stream. Chlorobenzene is removed from the water through vaporization and biodegradation processes. And if exposed to the soil, it will have a half-life f 0.3 days is exposed to soil at depth 1 cm and 12.6 days at depth 10 cm. Main removal of chlorobenzene from the soil surface is through evaporation.
Disposal
Since it is possible for chemicals waste to enter the environment if waste incinerated, land filled or just drained, it is important to keep them out of municipal waste stream. Since, chlorobenzene is known as hazardous and toxic chemicals, proper treatment and disposal method need to be
made. The waste disposal facility should be approved by the local authorities; and care should be taken to ensure the disposal meet the regulatory requirements or local environmental laws.
Chlorobenzene is listed as a hazardous substance, thus the disposal of it is very strict and is controlled by the federal regulations. Disposal of chlorobenzene into the soil (landfill) is very restricted, except under specific conditions. It is not suitable for disposal by either landfill or via local sewers, drains, natural streams or rivers. Wastes containing chlorobenzene may be disposed by liquid injection, rotary kiln, or fluidized bed incineration. Since chlorobenzene is widely used as a solvent in many chemical processes and it is a volatile compound, most of the waste is released to the atmosphere, few wastes were found in wastewater and land. Thus, the air plays a large role in the environmental transport and degradation of chlorobenzene.
For container disposal, the container must be first drained thoroughly. After draining, it should be store in a safe place away from sparks and ignition of fire because the residues of chlorobenzene that still attach to the wall of the container may cause an explosion hazard.
Disposal of container and unused contents must be in accordance to local regulatory requirements and environmental laws.
References
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Thesis
1. Sevas Edu. Society. (n.d). ―Production of Chlorobenzene.‖ Retrieved and adapted from http://sevas.org.in/thesis/node/84
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18.