Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZIRCONIUM NAPHTHENATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

In contrast to most metal naphthenates does not possess paint drying properties. Used in
ceramics (enamels, glazes); lubricants; anti- chalking agents, moisture reducer and
protection against solar radiation effects in paints and varnishes.

SYNONYMS

"naphthenic acid, zirconium salt"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Because inorganic zirconium is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, acute oral toxicity is low. Injection is much more dangerous, causing progressive depression until death.  The LD50s of naphthenic acids (a mixture of isomers of dimethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) in mice and rats were 1770 and 1750 mg/kg, respectively. Cumulative properties of naphthenic acids were mild. The oral LD50 in male mice of commercial sodium salts of naphthenic acids was found to be 3550 mg/kg body weight. Symptoms included central nervous system depression, convulsions and respiratory arrest. For rats the oral LD50 value for commercial naphthenic acids was 3000 mg/kg, while for mixtures of dicyclohexane (a specific naphthenic acid), the oral LD50 was 1750 mg/kg.  Exposure of Wistar rats to single or repeated oral doses of naphthenic acids produced a number of treatment-related effects, particularly in the highest dose groups. Marked reduction in food consumption was observed immediately following dosing in the high-dose group of the acute toxicity study. A similar decrease in food consumption was observed in the subchronic study, but in both cases the effect was short-lived. Appetite suppression was probably not due to direct irritation of the gastrointestinal lining, since repeated exposure did not sustain the effect in the subchronic study. In addition, there was no histopathological evidence of gastrointestinal irritation in either study. The mechanism of toxicant-induced anorexia has yet to be determined.  The results of the acute toxicity test suggested exposure to naphthenic acids at levels of 300 mg/kg in rats had both cardiovascular and hepatic effects. A single oral dose of 300 mg/kg produced significant cerebral hemorrhage in male rats. Vasoactive effects of naphthenic acids were also noted study by following intramuscular injection with 150 mg/kg cyclopentane naphthenic acid for 10 days; increased vascular permeability of cerebral capillaries was seen. Such an effect could be linked to the cerebral hemorrhaging or periarteriolar necrosis/fibrosis in the heart that was apparent following acute exposure to naphthenic acids. It is unclear why the cerebral hemorrhage was more prevalent in male than in female rats. It is unknown whether the effects of acute naphthenic acid dosing on cardiac tissue (periarteriolar necrosis/fibrosis) are attributable to parent naphthenic acids or their metabolites.  The clearest demonstration of a target organ in the acute toxicity test was the liver, where the inflammation of tissues around the bile duct (pericholangitis) was consistent between sexes and highly dose-dependent.  

EYE

  Although the liquid is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  The external application of zirconium can cause nodules in the skinof the armpits.  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.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Zirconium workers exposed to fume for 1-5 years showed no abnormalities due to zirconium. Animal studies also reveal a low order of hazard from inhaled zirconium.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Zirconium can accumulate in the spleen. Oral administration has not beenshown to cause any ill effects.  In dogs and rabbits that received naphthenic acids (10 mg/kg, intravenously, and 5-15 mg/kg, intramuscularly, respectively), a notable effect was observed on haemopoiesis of both the red and white cells and a greater effect was observed on platelet formation.  In a one generation reproduction study naphthenic acid in a carrier oil was administered dermally to 12 proven male New Zealand White rabbits at 2 ml/animal for 6 hrs, 5 days each week over 10, weeks and observed for an additional 12 week post-exposure period. There were no significant differences between treated and control animals in the following: survival, body weights, testes weights, numbers of animals achieving 1 or 2 viable litters or pregnancies, numbers of implantations, pre- or post-implantation losses,  numbers of viable fetuses. There were no signs of toxicity either systemically or at the site of application and no macroscopic or microscopic pathological findings.