Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

YATES BINDII AND BROADLEAF LAWN WEED SPRAY

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Selective herbicide to control bindii, clover and most other broadleaf weeds in grass
lawns and turf.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful in contact with skin.
Danger of cumulative effects.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Severely toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 5 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Swallowing of the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis; serious consequences may result. (ICSC13733).  Chlorphenoxy compounds irritate the digestive system and cause nausea and vomiting, chest pain, and diarrhea. Taking large doses can result in mineral imbalance, temperature changes, hyperventilation, low blood pressure, dilated blood vessels, damage to the heart and liver with death of white blood cells, and convulsions. Most salts and esters of 2,4-  D exhibit similar effects, although the free acid is more toxic. Massive doses can cause ventricular fibrillation followed by death. If death is delayed, there may be a sluggishness followed by spastic changes in muscles and inco-ordination. Severe cases cause apathy, weakness in the legs, regular muscle spasms and coma. Subacute poisonings cause severe nosebleeds, bleeding from the mouth and irritation of the eye and nose. Clinically, poisonings are uncommon, although muscle weakness and nervous symptoms in the extremities are sometimes reported. The substances are not metabolized and are excreted only slowly from the body, in the urine.  Ingestion of petroleum hydrocarbons can irritate the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and small intestine, and cause swellings and ulcers of the mucous. Symptoms include a burning mouth and throat; larger amounts can cause nausea and vomiting, narcosis, weakness, dizziness, slow and shallow breathing, abdominal swelling, unconsciousness and convulsions. Damage to the heart muscle can produce heart beat irregularities, ventricular fibrillation (fatal) and ECG changes. The central nervous system can be depressed. Light species can cause a sharp tingling of the tongue and cause loss of sensation there. Aspiration can cause cough, gagging, pneumonia with swelling and bleeding.  

EYE

  Direct eye contact with petroleum hydrocarbons can be painful, and the corneal epithelium may be temporarily damaged. Aromatic species can cause irritation and excessive tear secretion.  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Moderate inflammation may be expected with redness; conjunctivitis may occur with prolonged exposure.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  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.  Aromatic hydrocarbons may produce sensitivity and redness of the skin. They are not likely to be absorbed into the body through the skin but branched species are more likely to.  

INHALED

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce severely toxic effects. Relatively small amounts absorbed from the lungs may prove fatal.  Inhalation of high concentrations of gas/vapor causes lung irritation with coughing and nausea, central nervous depression with headache and dizziness, slowing of reflexes, fatigue and inco-ordination.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  Inhalation of chlorophenoxy dusts or mists may result in sore throat, burning sensations in the throat and chest, cough, tears, inflamed nose, dizziness and inco-ordination, as a result of absorption from the lungs.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Results in experiments suggest that this material may cause disorders in the development of the embryo or fetus, even when no signs of poisoning show in the mother.  Chronic intoxication with ionic bromides, historically, has resulted from medical use of bromides but not from environmental or occupational exposure; depression, hallucinosis, and schizophreniform psychosis can be seen in the absence of other signs of intoxication. Bromides may also induce sedation, irritability, agitation, delirium, memory loss, confusion, disorientation, forgetfulness (aphasias), dysarthria, weakness, fatigue, vertigo, stupor, coma, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, hallucinations,  an acne like rash on the face, legs and trunk, known as bronchoderma (seen in 25-30% of case involving bromide ion), and a profuse discharge from the nostrils (coryza). Ataxia and generalised hyperreflexia have also been observed. Correlation of neurologic symptoms with blood levels of bromide is inexact. The use of substances such as brompheniramine, as antihistamines, largely reflect current day usage of bromides; ionic bromides have been largely withdrawn from therapeutic use due to their toxicity. Several cases of foetal abnormalities have been described in mothers who took large doses of bromides during pregnancy.  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Chronic exposure to cyanides and certain nitriles may result in interference to iodine uptake by thyroid gland and its consequent enlargement. This occurs following metabolic conversion of the cyanide moiety to thiocyanate. Thyroid insufficiency may also occur as a result of metabolic conversion of cyanides to the corresponding thiocyanate. Exposure to small amounts of cyanide compounds over long periods are reported to cause loss of appetite, headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, changes in taste and smell, muscle cramps, weight loss, flushing of the face, persistent runny nose and irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. These symptoms are not specific to cyanide exposure and therefore the existence of a chronic cyanide toxicity remains speculative. Repeated minor contact with cyanides produce a characteristic rash with itching, papules (small, superficial raised spots on the skin) and possible sensitization. Concerns have been expressed that low-level, long term exposures may result in damage to the nerves of the eye.  Chlorophenoxy herbicides cause an increased risk of cancers of soft tissue, lymph and bronchi. Inflammation of skin can result from long term contact. Chronic exposure to 2,4-  D can cause nausea, liver changes, skin eruptions, irritation of the airways and eyes, as well as nervous changes. People with chronic health conditions or who have endocrinological or immune disorders should not be exposed to herbicides.