Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

QUANTUM EXPLOSIVES THIOUREA

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used as an intermediate in the QEM formulation to promote the gassing reaction in AN
explosives destruction.

SYNONYMS

C-H4-N2-S, CS(NH2)2, 2-thiourea, 2-thiourea, thiocarbamide, isothiourea, pseudothiourea,
sulourea, "thiocarbonic acid diamide"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

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.  The thioureas, which are antithyroid drugs, can cause headache,anxiety, fever, rash and stomach upset.  

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.  Sensitization may result in allergic dermatitis responses includingrash, itching, hives or swelling of extremities.  Skin sensitivity to thiourea derivatives has been demonstrated in several studies. Allergic contact dermatitis and photocontact dermatitis have been described. A Russian study published in 1970 reported that workers handling thiourea products showed ready penetration through the skin which lead to clinical evidence of destructive changes in the thyroid gland.  

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.  Inhalation of vapor may result in nausea, headache.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts., inhalation of vapor.  Bare unprotected skin should not be exposed to this material.  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.  The material is a sensitiser in persons who exhibit photosensitivity.  Chronic exposure may result in damage to the blood, liver and thyroid.  Thiourea inhibits utilisation of Iodine and has a haemolytic effect  (impedes blood clotting).  Thiourea has produced goiter and bone marrow depression (anaemia,  leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis) in experimental animals.  When administered in the drinking water, thiourea induced thyroid  adenomas and carcinomas in rats of both sexes and squamous cell carcinomas  of the Zymbal gland in male rats. When administered in the diet, thiourea  induced hepatocellular adenomas in rats.  Exposure to thiourea can result in reduced thyroid function. Prolonged exposure to high doses causes enlargement of the thyroid and reduced levels of circulating thyroid hormone. Thiourea derivatives are thought to be capable of changing cellular genetic material and they may cause birth defects.