Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

QUINIZARIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Anti- oxidant in synthetic lubes, dyes.

SYNONYMS

C14-H8-O4, "anthraquinone, 1, 4-dihydroxy-", "anthraquinone, 1, 4-dihydroxy-", "9, 10-
anthracenedione, 1, 4-dihydroxy-", "9, 10-anthracenedione, 1, 4-dihydroxy-", chinizarin,
"C.I. 58050", "1, 4-dihydroxyanthraquinone", "1, 4-dihydroxyanthraquinone", "1, 4-
dioxyanthraquinone", "1, 4-dioxyanthraquinone", "1, 4-DOA", "1, 4-DOA", "1, 4-dihydroxy-9,
10-anthraquinone", "1, 4-dihydroxy-9, 10-anthraquinone", quinizarine, "Smoke Orange R"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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.  The hydroxyanthraquinones (HA), which occur in numerous medicinal plants, produce an irritant action on the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal bacteria reduces HA glycosides to very reactive anthrones which increase the net secretion of fluid into the lumen by irritation of the intestinal wall. This process produces a laxative action. The presence of two hydroxy groups in the 1,8-position is essential for this laxative effect.  

EYE

  Although the material 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).  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing 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.  Sensitization may result in allergic dermatitis responses includingrash, itching, hives or swelling of extremities.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Chronic use of hydroxyanthraquinone (HA) laxatives reduces laxative potency resulting in an increased intake to produce a useful effect. This in turn produces damage to the intestinal cell wall and myenteric nerve plexi (resulting in the inhibition of myenteric activity) and sometimes severe loss of water, sodium as well as an increase in aldosterone secretion rates which increases loss of potassium. Some HAs are genotoxic in a variety of in vitro short-term assays. All HA with hydroxygroups in the 1,8-position (i.e laxative actives) act as tumour promoters in primary liver cell cultures (inducing mitosis) and in C3H-mouse fibroblasts (after treatment with a low dose inducer). Carcinogenic action in rodents was demonstrated after feeding rats and mice with danthron and 1-hydroxyanthraquinone. There is limited evidence that long-term abuse of HA laxatives is correlated to colon cancer. The action of the HA is most probably related to oxidative stress.