Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UVEX LENS CLEANSING WIPES

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Cleaning optical lenses.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

In use, may form flammable/ explosive vapor- air mixture.
May form explosive peroxides.
Irritating to eyes.
Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Biguanides, drugs used in treating type II diabetes mellitus, have been associated with the metabolic condition lactic acidosis which is highly dangerous and often fatal especially if taken with alcohol. Overexposure may cause fixed dilated pupils and lack of eye reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, abdominal discomfort, blood in vomit, agitation, confusion, lethargy, spasticity, and coma. Increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure and heart attack may occur. The skin is dry and dehydration is common. Biguanides do not elicit a therapeutic response in the non-  diabetic.  Following ingestion, a single exposure to isopropyl alcohol produced lethargy and non-  specific effects such as weight loss and irritation. Ingestion of near-lethal doses of isopropanol produces histopathological changes of the stomach, lungs and kidneys, incoordination, lethargy, gastrointestinal tract irritation, and inactivity or anaesthesia.  Swallowing 10 ml. of isopropanol may cause serious injury; 100 ml. may be fatal if not promptly treated. The adult single lethal doses is approximately 250 ml. The toxicity of isopropanol is twice that of ethanol and the symptoms of intoxication appear to be similar except for the absence of an initial euphoric effect; gastritis and vomiting are more prominent. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.  There is evidence that a slight tolerance to isopropanol may be acquired.  Overexposure to non-ring alcohols causes nervous system symptoms. These include headache, muscle weakness and inco-ordination, giddiness, confusion, delirium and coma. Digestive symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Aspiration is much more dangerous than ingestion because lung damage can occur and the substance is absorbed into the body. Alcohols with ring structures and secondary and tertiary alcohols cause more severe symptoms, as do heavier alcohols.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  Isopropanol vapour may cause mild eye irritation at 400 ppm. Splashes may cause severe eye irritation, possible corneal burns and eye damage. Eye contact may cause tearing or blurring of vision.  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause mild but significant inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Most liquid alcohols appear to act as primary skin irritants in humans. Significant percutaneous absorption occurs in rabbits but not apparently in man.  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.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo.  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Aliphatic alcohols with more than 3-carbons cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle weakness and delirium, central depression, coma, seizures and behavioral changes. Secondary respiratory depression and failure, as well as low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, may follow. Nausea and vomiting are seen, and liver and kidney damage is possible as well following massive exposures. Symptoms are more acute the more carbons there are in the alcohol.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  The odour of isopropanol may give some warning of exposure, but odour fatigue may occur. Inhalation of isopropanol may produce irritation of the nose and throat with sneezing, sore throat and runny nose. The effects in animals subject to a single exposure, by inhalation, included inactivity or anaesthesia and histopathological changes in the nasal canal and auditory canal.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long term or repeated ingestion exposure of isopropanol may produce incoordination, lethargy and reduced weight gain.  Repeated inhalation exposure to isopropanol may produce narcosis, incoordination and liver degeneration. Animal data show developmental effects only at exposure levels that produce toxic effects in the adult animals. Isopropanol does not cause genetic damage in bacterial or mammalian cell cultures or in animals.  There are inconclusive reports of human sensitisation from skin contact with isopropanol. Chronic alcoholics are more tolerant of systemic isopropanol than are persons who do not consume alcohol; alcoholics have survived as much as 500 ml. of 70% isopropanol.  Continued voluntary drinking of a 2.5% aqueous solution through two successive generations of rats produced no reproductive effects.  NOTE: Commercial isopropanol doers not contain "isopropyl oil". An excess incidence of sinus and laryngeal cancers in isopropanol production workers has been shown to be caused by the byproduct "isopropyl oil". Changes in the production processes now ensure that no byproduct is formed. Production changes include use of dilute sulfuric acid at higher temperatures.