Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

MAFENIDE ACETATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Sulfonamide antibacterial used in creams for the prevention and treatment of infection,
particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in second- and third- degree burns. Not inactivated
by p- aminobenzoic acid or by pus or serum.

SYNONYMS

C7-H10-N2-O2-S.C2-H4-O2, H2NCH2C6H4SO2NH2.C2-H4-O2, "p-toluenesulfomanide, alpha-amino-,
monoacetate", "p-toluenesulfomanide, alpha-amino-, monoacetate", "p-
(aminomethyl)benzenesulfonamide acetate", "p-(aminomethyl)benzenesulfonamide acetate", "4-
aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide acetate", "4-aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide acetate", "p-
aminomethylphenylsulfonamide acetate", "p-aminomethylphenylsulfonamide acetate", "alpha-
amino-p-toluenesulfonamide acetate", "alpha-amino-p-toluenesulfonamide acetate", mafatate,
"maphenide acetate", "sulfamylon acetate", "sulfonilamide antibacterial"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

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.  Sulfonamides and their derivatives can cause extensive kidney damage, and destroy red blood cells. Overdose may cause an accumulation of acid in the blood or a diminished blood sugar level with confusion and coma resulting. Predisposed persons can develop hypersensitivity reactions, including for topical application. Deaths have occurred due to hypersensitivity, anemia, imbalances in blood cell distribution and kidney and liver damage. 2-5 grams can be fatal. Sulfonamides cross the placental barrier, are excreted in the breast milk and may produce adverse effects in the fetus/ embryo and newborn, including loss of certain white blood cells causing immune function deficiency, anemia, jaundice and kernicterus.  

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).  Eye drops with sulfonamides can cause local irritation, sensations of burning and stinging, blurred vision and loss of depth perception. The conjunctiva and cornea may become inflamed, and the cornea and lens may become clouded.  

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.  Contact allergies quickly manifest themselves as contact eczema, more rarely as urticaria or Quincke's edema. The pathogenesis of contact eczema involves a cell-mediated (T lymphocytes) immune reaction of the delayed type. Other allergic skin reactions, e.g. contact urticaria, involve antibody-mediated immune reactions. The significance of the contact allergen is not simply determined by its sensitization potential: the distribution of the substance and the opportunities for contact with it are equally important. A weakly sensitizing substance which is widely distributed can be a more important allergen than one with stronger sensitizing potential with which few individuals come into contact. From a clinical point of view, substances are noteworthy if they produce an allergic test reaction in more than 1% of the persons tested.  

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.  Prolonged oral treatment with sulfonamides has caused nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, inflammation of the mouth cavity, impaired folic acid absorption, exacerbation of porphyria, acidosis, liver damage with impaired blood clotting, jaundice and inflammation of the pancreas. Effects on the kidney include blood and crystals in the urine, painful and frequent urination or lack of urine with nitrogen retention. Nervous system symptoms include headache, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, depression, hallucinations, inco-ordination,  paralysis of muscles, numbness in the extremities, spinal cord damage and inflammation, convulsions and unconsciousness. Effects on the blood includes a change in blood cell distribution with loss of white blood cells and platelets, and anemia, which Africans seem to be more prone to developing than Europeans. Cyanosis can occur owing to complexes being formed by hemoglobin. Eye effects include inflamed cornea and conjunctiva with eyelid swelling and in severe cases, fear of the light. Allergies and cross-sensitivity is common, and can cause itches, wheals and sometimes a severe red rash with blisters that is often fatal. This class of drugs can scar the cornea and conjunctiva, swelling around the eyes, painful and inflamed joints, reduced sperm counts, pneumonia, fever, chills, hair loss, inflammation of vessels, lupus, reduced lung function, infertility, hypothyroidism and goiter, and increased urinary output. More seriously, the lungs may become permanently scarred and there may be irreversible damage to the nervous system and muscles. Inflammation of the skin has occurred after the drug is ingested and has traveled through the bloodstream. Skin effects often occur when there has been exposure in conjunction with UV light. Clothed areas are initially less likely to be affected but may be in later stages. Rarely there may be persistence of inflammation on light contact even after the drug has been removed.