Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH BROMCRESOL GREEN-METHYL RED INDICATOR SOLUTION

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Indicator solution for pH.

SYNONYMS

"laboratory reagent pH indicator solution"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Highly flammable.
Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.

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.  Following ingestion, a single exposure to isopropyl alcohol produced lethargy and non-  specific effects such as weight loss and irritation. Ingestion of near-lethal doses of isopropanol produces histopathological changes of the stomach, lungs and kidneys, incoordination, lethargy, gastrointestinal tract irritation, and inactivity or anaesthesia.  Swallowing 10 ml. of isopropanol may cause serious injury; 100 ml. may be fatal if not promptly treated. The adult single lethal doses is approximately 250 ml. The toxicity of isopropanol is twice that of ethanol and the symptoms of intoxication appear to be similar except for the absence of an initial euphoric effect; gastritis and vomiting are more prominent. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.  There is evidence that a slight tolerance to isopropanol may be acquired.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

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.  The liquid may produce skin discomfort following prolonged contact. Defatting and/or drying of the skin may lead to dermatitis.  Contact with cuts, abraded skin is painful, but this is transient.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Most liquid alcohols appear to act as primary skin irritants in humans. Significant percutaneous absorption occurs in rabbits but not apparently in man.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Acute effects from inhalation of high vapor concentrations may be chest and nasal irritation with coughing, sneezing, headache and even nausea.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  The odour of isopropanol may give some warning of exposure, but odour fatigue may occur. Inhalation of isopropanol may produce irritation of the nose and throat with sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. The effects in animals subject to a single exposure, by inhalation, included inactivity or anaesthesia and histopathological changes in the nasal canal and auditory canal.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact and by inhalation of vapors especially at higher temperatures.  Prolonged or continuous skin contact with the liquid may cause defatting with drying, cracking, irritation and dermatitis following.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.  Long term or repeated ingestion exposure of isopropanol may produce incoordination, lethargy and reduced weight gain.  Repeated inhalation exposure to isopropanol may produce narcosis, incoordination and liver degeneration. Animal data show developmental effects only at exposure levels that produce toxic effects in the adult animals. Isopropanol does not cause genetic damage in bacterial or mammalian cell cultures or in animals.  There are inconclusive reports of human sensitisation from skin contact with isopropanol. Chronic alcoholics are more tolerant of systemic isopropanol than are persons who do not consume alcohol; alcoholics have survived as much as 500 ml. of 70% isopropanol.  Continued voluntary drinking of a 2.5% aqueous solution through two successive generations of rats produced no reproductive effects.  NOTE: Commercial isopropanol doers not contain "isopropyl oil". An excess incidence of sinus and laryngeal cancers in isopropanol production workers has been shown to be caused by the byproduct "isopropyl oil". Changes in the production processes now ensure that no byproduct is formed. Production changes include use of dilute sulfuric acid at higher temperatures.