Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZENECA GRAMOXONE EXTRA

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Herbicide.

SYNONYMS

herbicide

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Very toxic by inhalation.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  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.  Bipyridiniums are highly corrosive and toxic; if ingested, they cause severe corrosive damage, liver and kidney injury, and may be lethal due to respiratory or cardiovascular effects. Exposure can cause slowing of heart rate, nosebleeds, irregular heartbeat, lethargy, headache, depression and coma. A wide range of other symptoms such as lung scarring, hemorrhages and kidney failure may also be seen. Cyanosis (blueness) may be evident; ingestion of concentrated solutions may cause swelling and ulceration of the mouth and throat, followed by nausea and vomiting, burning pain of the gastrointestinal tract, and a profuse, bloody diarrhea. Severe exposures can result in shock and death within days. Toxic myocarditis may also occur. Although most patients generally recover, lung function may be reduced for an extended period of time.  

EYE

  There is evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with pain. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  Direct eye contact with bipyridylium compounds may produce chemical conjunctivitis and severe eye injury resembling corrosive injuries. Permanent corneal scarring is possible. Severe inflammation may be evident, reaching a maximum intensity in 12 to 24 hours. Loss of corneal epithelium and the superficial layers of the cornea may occur early. Recovery is generally complete given proper care. Systemic signs have not been reported from this route of exposure.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Reactions may not occur on exposure but response may be delayed with symptoms only appearing many hours later.  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.  Direct skin contact with bipyridyliums can cause redness, blisters, ulcers, nail changes, dryness, irritation and inflammation as well as cyanosis and jaundice. Extended exposures are associated with more severe symptoms and lesions.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce severely toxic effects; these may be fatal.  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Inhalation of mists, dusts or fumes containing bipyridyliums may produce coughing, shortness of breath, nosebleed and pulmonary edema. Lung scarring may also occur.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after exposure to the material ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic condition known as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly irritating compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence of preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with abrupt onset of persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to hours of a documented exposure to the irritant. A reversible airflow pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to severe bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the lack of minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have also been included in the criteria for diagnosis of RADS. RADS (or asthma) following an irritating inhalation is an infrequent disorder with rates related to the concentration of and duration of exposure to the irritating substance. Industrial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a disorder that occurs as result of exposure due to high concentrations of irritating substance (often particulate in nature) and is completely reversible after exposure ceases. The disorder is characterised by dyspnea, cough and mucus production.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.