Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

P-CHLOROMETHYL SULFONE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate in the synthesis of the herbicide, nitralin.

SYNONYMS

C7-H7-Cl-O2-S, ClC6H4SO2CH3, 1-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene, 1-chloro-4-
(methylsulfonyl)benzene, "benzene, 1-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-", "benzene, 1-chloro-4-
(methylsulfonyl)-", 1-chloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)benzene, 1-chloro-4-
(methylsulphonyl)benzene, "4-chlorophenyl methyl sulfone", "4-chlorophenyl methyl
sulfone", "p-chlorophenylmethyl sulfone", "p-chlorophenylmethyl sulfone", "methyl 4-
chlorophenyl sulfone", "methyl 4-chlorophenyl sulfone", "methyl p-chlorophenyl sulfone",
"methyl p-chlorophenyl sulfone", CPMSO2

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  

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).  

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.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

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.  In a 28-day study animals showed central nervous system depression,  anorexia and liver and kidney effects. High levels of exposure produced  lung effects.