Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

QUINACRINE MUSTARD DIHYDROCHLORIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Instillations are used in the symptomatic treatment of neoplastic effusions in the pleura
or peritoneum Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C23-H28-Cl3-N3-O.2HCl, "acridine, ", "9-(4-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino-1-methylbutylamino)-6-
chloro-2-methoxy-, 2HCl", "9-(4-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino-1-methylbutylamino)-6-chloro-2-
methoxy-, 2HCl", 9-(4-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino-1methylbutylamino)-, 9-(4-bis(2-
chloroethyl)amino-1methylbutylamino)-, "6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine hydrochloride", "6-
chloro-2-methoxyacridine hydrochloride", ICR-10, 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-(4-bis(2-
chloroethyl)amino-, 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-(4-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino-, "1-
methylbutylamino)acridine dihydrochloride", "1-methylbutylamino)acridine dihydrochloride",
"2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-(3-ethyl-2-chloroethyl)aminopropylamino)acridine 2HCl", "2-methoxy-
6-chloro-9-(3-ethyl-2-chloroethyl)aminopropylamino)acridine 2HCl", "antineoplasic/
cytotoxic"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The killing action of antineoplastic drugs used for cancer chemotherapy is not selective for cancerous cells alone but affect all dividing cells. Acute side effects include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, allergic reaction (skin rash, itch, redness, low blood pressure, unwellness and anaphylactic shock) and local irritation. Gout and renal failure can occur.  Absorption of nitrogen mustards from the gastrointestinal tract may produce systemic poisoning. The effects may include prolonged tremor, inco-ordination, and convulsions.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Nitrogen mustards are severely irritating to the eyes and may produce corneal damage and injury to the iris and lens.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  Nitrogen mustards can cause serious blisters and burns of the skin, causing deep, slow-  healing ulcers. High quantities can also cause internal toxic effects.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  If nitrogen mustard vapors or aerosols are inhaled, there may be irritation of mucous membranes and swelling of the lungs may occur later. They may be absorbed into the body from the lungs, causing effects such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, headache, hair loss, bone marrow impairment, damage to the lymph nodes, loss of white blood cells, period irregularities and reduced male fertility. High concentrations can cause damage to the nervous system.  Limited evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is some evidence that human exposure to the material may result in developmental toxicity. This evidence is based on animal studies where effects have been observed in the absence of marked maternal toxicity, or at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which are not secondary non-specific consequences of the other toxic effects.  Exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects. The material may produce mutagenic effects in man. This concern is raised, generally, on the basis ofappropriate studies with similar materials using mammalian somatic cells in vivo. Such findings are often supported by positive results from in vitro mutagenicity studies.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Anti-cancer drugs used for chemotherapy can depress the bone marrow with reduction in the number of white blood cells and platelets and bleeding. Susceptibility to infections and bleeding is increased, which can be life- threatening. Digestive system effects may include inflammation of the mouth cavity, mouth ulcers, esophagus inflammation, abdominal pain and bleeds, diarrhea, bowel ulcers and perforation. Reversible hair loss can result and wound healing may be delayed. Long-term effects on the gonads may cause periods to stop and inhibit sperm production. Most anti-cancer drugs can potentially cause mutations and birth defects, and coupled with the effects of the suppression of the immune system, may also cause cancer.  Exposure to the material for prolonged periods may cause physical defects in the developing embryo (teratogenesis).  Repeated exposure to quinines can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, ringing in the ear, deafness, visual disturbance and temporary blindness. Some people are hypersensitive to quinine, and small doses in these persons may cause swelling, asthma and other allergic phenomena. Quinine can also cause hemolytic anemia and loss of platelets.  Exposure to small quantities may induce hypersensitivity reactions characterized by acute bronchospasm, hives (urticaria), deep dermal wheals (angioneurotic edema), running nose (rhinitis) and blurred vision . Anaphylactic shock and skin rash (non-thrombocytopenic purpura) may occur. An individual may be predisposed to such anti-body mediated reaction if other chemical agents have caused prior sensitization (cross-sensitivity).