If engineering controls and work practices are not effective in controlling exposure to this material, then wear suitable personal protection equipment including approved respiratory protection. Have appropriate equipment available for use in emergencies such as spills or fire.

If respiratory protection is required, institute a complete respiratory protection program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection. Refer to the CSA Standard Z94.4-93, "Selection, Use and Care of Respirators," available from the Canadian Standards Association, Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 1R3.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION GUIDELINES:

NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PHOSPHORIC ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR:

UP TO 25 mg/m³: SAR operated in a continuous flow mode.

UP TO 50 mg/m³: Full-facepiece respirator with high-efficiency particulate filter(s); or full-facepiece SCBA; or full-facepiece SAR.

UP TO 1000 mg/m³: Positive pressure, full-facepiece SAR.

EMERGENCY OR PLANNED ENTRY INTO UNKNOWN CONCENTRATIONS OR IDLH CONDITIONS:

Positive pressure, full-facepiece SCBA; or positive pressure, full-facepiece SAR with an auxiliary positive pressure SCBA.

ESCAPE: Full-facepiece respirator with high-efficiency particulate filter(s); or escape-type SCBA.

NOTE: Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection.

NOTE: The IDLH concentration for phosphoric acid is 1000 mg/m³.

NOTE: The purpose of establishing an IDLH value is to ensure that the worker can escape from a given contaminated environment in the event of failure of the most protective respiratory protection equipment. In the event of failure of respiratory protective equipment every effort should be made to exit immediately.

Recommendations apply only to NIOSH approved respirators. The respirator use limitations specified by the approving agency and the manufacturer must be observed. Air-purifying respirators do not protect against oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

ABBREVIATIONS: SAR = supplied-air respirator; SCBA = self-contained breathing apparatus. IDLH = Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health.

Chemical safety goggles. A face shield may also be necessary.

Chemical resistant gloves, coveralls, boots, and/or other resistant protective clothing. Have a safety shower/eye-wash fountain readily available in the immediate work area.

Guidelines for Phosphoric acid above 70%:

RECOMMENDED (resistance to breakthrough longer than 8 hours): Butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, Viton(TM), Saranex(TM), Barricade(TM), 4H(TM) (polyethylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol), CPF3(TM), Responder(TM), Trellchem HPS(TM).

NOT RECOMMENDED for use (resistance to breakthrough less than 1 hour): Polyvinyl alcohol.

Evidence of serious skin injury (e.g., corrosion or absorption hazard).

Recommendations are NOT valid for very thin natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile and PVC gloves (0.3 mm or less).

Recommendations are valid for permeation rates reaching 0.1 µg/cm²/min or 1 mg/m²/min and over. Resistance of specific materials can vary from product to product. Breakthrough times are obtained under conditions of continuous contact, generally at room temperature. Evaluate resistance under conditions of use and maintain clothing carefully.

Reference: Forsberg, K., et al. Quick selection guide to chemical protective clothing. 3rd edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1997.

Remove contaminated clothing promptly. Keep contaminated clothing in closed containers. Discard or launder before rewearing. Inform laundry personnel of contaminant's hazards.

Do not eat, drink or smoke in work areas. Wash hands thoroughly after handling this material. Maintain good housekeeping.