Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WARFARIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

As rodenticide it has two actions- inhibition of prothrombin formation and capillary
damage. The 4- hydroxycoumarin inhibits the formation of prothrombin and reduces the
clotting power of the blood, while benzalacetone may result in capillary damage and lead
to bleeding upon the slightest trauma. Vitamin K has an antidotal action against both
actions up to a certain point. (Source: SAX) Active ingredient is greatly diluted in rat
bait. The sodium salt of warfarin is extensively used as an anticoagulant drug. Almost all
studies concern the racemic mixture. Where the individual isomers have been studied, the
(- )(S)- isomer was 5- 8 times more active than the (+)(R)- form. Medicine

SYNONYMS

C19-H16-O4, 3-(acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-(acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-
(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 1-
(4'-hydroxy-3'-coumarinyl)-1-phenyl-3-butanone, 1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-coumarinyl)-1-phenyl-3-
butanone, 4-hydroxy-3-coumarinyl-1-phenyl-3-butanone, 4-hydroxy-3-coumarinyl-1-phenyl-3-
butanone, 3-(alpha-phenyl-beta-acetylethyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-(alpha-phenyl-beta-
acetylethyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-(alpha-phenyl-2'-acetylethyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 3-
(alpha-phenyl-2'-acetylethyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-
benzopyran-2-one, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, "Anticoagulant
Anti Coagulant Rodenticide", "Arab Rat Deth", Co-Rax, Tox-Hid, Brumolin, "Compound 42",
Temus, Rat-Trol, Athrombine-K, Kumadu, Coumafen, Coumafene, Coumarins, Waran, Rattunal,
Rats-No-More, Ratron, Solfarin, Cov-R-Tox, Cov-R-Tox, Rat-B-Gon, Ratox, Kypfarin, "Rat-O-
Cide 2", "Rat-O-Cide 2", Dethnel, Mar-Frin, Coumefene, "Mouse Pak", Rosex, Ro-Deth,
Athrombin-K, Kumader, Coumadin, Rodafarin, Liqua-Tox, Rodex, Rat-Ola, "Warf Compound",
Ratorex, Dethmor, Rat-A-Way, Vampirinip, D-Con, D-Con, Rat-Gard, Prothromadin, Rat-Mix,
Ratoxin, Rat-Kill, Warficide, Rax, Maveran, "Spray-Trol Brand Roden-Trol", "Rough & Ready
Mouse Away", "Flick Rat Bait", "Rat'nmouse killer", "Ratblitz bait", "Double strength
Ratsak", "RatDrink Poison", Duocide, "Twin Light Rat-away", "Fasco Fascrat Powder",
"Martin Mar-Frin", "as CAS RN 5543-58-8", "as CAS RN 5543-58-8", dextrowarfarin, R-(+)-
warfarin, R-(+)-warfarin, R-(+)-4-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, R-(+)-4-
(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, (R)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-
benxopyran-2-one, (R)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benxopyran-2-one, "as CAS RN
5543-57-7", "as CAS RN 5543-57-7", levowarfarin, S-(-)-warfarin, S-(-)-warfarin, S-(-)-4-
(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin, S-(-)-4-(alpha-acetonylbenzyl)-4-
hydroxycoumarin, (S)-4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benxopyran-2-one, (S)-4-
hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutyl)-2H-1-benxopyran-2-one

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful in contact with skin.
Very toxic if swallowed.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
Harmful 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.  Heparin, coumarin and indan-1,3-dione derivatives are used to kill rodents and to prevent blood clotting. They block the synthesis of prothrombin by antagonizing vitamin K. They are safe in normal use but with high does or prolonged use, they can cause bleeding accidents, especially in sensitive persons. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea and vomiting; effects may be delayed for days. Other symptoms include bleeding gums, easy bruising, blood in the urine and excessive bleeding from minor wounds. Severe poisonings can cause shock, coma and death.  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Coumarin and its derivatives may act as slight allergens in contact withskin.  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.  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce severe damage to the health of the individual. Relatively small amounts absorbed from the lungs may prove fatal.  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

  Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  Ample evidence exists that developmental disorders are directlycaused by human exposure to the material.  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 limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  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.  Repeated exposure to some coumarin derivatives may cause nosebleed, bleeding gut and pharynx, dark red bleeding spots, widespread bruising, blood swelling, blood in the phlegm, vomitus, urine or stools. Bleeding into the organs, digestive tract, joints, abdomen can cause localized pain. Exposure at work can cause anemia with weakness, pallor and shock. Many coumarins cause mutations and cancer. Coumarins also inhibit tumor production by carcinogens and inhibit metastasis.  Coumarin and its derivatives may act as slight allergens in contact withmucous membranes. Absorption by the lungs is not considered to be asignificant route of entry.  Congenital malformations have occurred following maternal exposure to warfarin. Effects are primarily seen in the craniofacial region of the foetus and include nasal hypoplasia, bone stippling and mental retardation. Central nervous system abnormalities have occurred during second or third trimester exposures. Exposure during early pregnancy may also produce dysmorphia.