Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOSLOW SOLN #15

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

In organic synthesis as starting material for acetophenone, alpha- naphthaleneacetic acid,
thiamine, acetamidine. To remove tars, phenols, and colouring matter from petroleum
hydrocarbons not soluble in acetonitrile. To extract fatty acids from fish liver oils and
other animal and vegetable oils. Can be used to recrystallize steroids. As an indifferent
medium in physicochemical investigations. Wherever a polar solvent having a rather high
dielectric constant is required. As medium for promoting reactions involving ionization.
As a solvent in non- aqueous titrations. As a non- aqueous solvent for inorganic salts.

SYNONYMS

"Soln. #15", acetonitrile, cyanomethane, ethanenitrile, "ethyl nitrile", "methane
carbonitrile", "methyl cyanide", C2-H3-N, CH3-CN

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
Irritating to eyes.
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Highly flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

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

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  Exposure limits with "skin" notation indicate that vapor and liquid may be absorbed through intact skin. Absorption by skin may readily exceed vapor inhalation exposure. Symptoms for skin absorption are the same as for inhalation. Contact with eyes and mucous membranes may also contribute to overall exposure and may also invalidate the exposure standard.  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

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Exposure to concentrations of 160 ppm in air for 4 hours, has caused  flushing of the face (2 hour delay after exposure) and bronchial tightness  (5 hour delay). Heavier exposures produce systemic effects with symptoms  ranging from headache, nausea and lassitude, to vomiting, chest or abdominal  pain, respiratory depression, extreme weakness, stupor, convulsions and  death, depending on time and concentration.  Systemic effects also occur from ingestion and from skin absorption.  The product is considered to have insufficient odour warning properties.