Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

RADICININ

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

The genus Alternaria includes some of the commonest fungi, which occur ubiquitously in
temperate and tropical climates. They occur in soil, household dust, in decaying organic
vegetable matter, in both cultivated and non- cultivated plants and have been isolated
from pulpy and citrus fruits, vegetables, cereals, oilseeds, edible nuts, beans, flowers,
tobacco, grass, silage, hay and weeds. The most important species A. alternata causes
pathogenic or indefinite opportunistic disease in many crops. Alternaria fungi cause
spoilage to most agricultural commodities in the field and in storage but because of a
high water requirement for its growth, the most susceptible commodities are fruit and
vegetables. Alternaria fungi damage plants through secondary metabolites, substances that
apparently play no function in the primary metabolism of the plant. Of approximately 125
known secondary metabolites, 75% are phytotoxic and 25% are mycotoxic.S. Panigrahi:
Alternia toxinsHandbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants; Editor J.P Felix D' Mello: CRC
Press.

SYNONYMS

C12-H12-O5, "2, 3-dihydro-3alpha-hydroxy-2beta-methyl-7-propenyl-4H, 5H-pyrano[4, 3-
b]pyran-4, 5-dione", "2, 3-dihydro-3alpha-hydroxy-2beta-methyl-7-propenyl-4H, 5H-pyrano[4,
3-b]pyran-4, 5-dione", stemphylone, "Alternaria mycotoxin/ phytotoxin"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause harm to the unborn child.

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.  Alternaria contamination can result in death within several days in mammals. There is diarrhea and hemorrhage, followed by death. There are often symptoms seen in a wide range of organs.  

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

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  Skin infection with Alternaria fungi may cause hair loss, scaly lesions and nodules with crusty ulcers that are non-healing.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  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.  Spores and conidia of Alternaria, which is present in tobacco, can cause respiratory allergy, with lung congestion, edema and emphysema, kidney damage, hemorrhage, and damage to the liver.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Ample evidence exists, from results in experimentation, that developmental disorders are directly caused by human exposure to the material.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Both AOH and AME are toxic to the fetus; the latter can cause birth defects. The mutagenic activity of Alternaria derived substances have been implicated in esophageal cancer in some areas.