Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDROXYETHANEDIPHOSPHONIC ACID

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Phosphonates are a class of chelating agents and scale inhibitors. Three acids,
aminotris(methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP), 1- hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid
(HEDP), ethylenediaminetris(methylene phosphonic acid (EDTMP) and diethylenetriamine
penta(methylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP), are representative of the parent compound. They
are used in household cleaning products, personal care products, institutional cleaners
and industrial cleaning processes, and as water treatment additives in various
applications.Phosphonates are multifunctional acids, which structurally have the
phosphonic acid group 鈥揚O₃H₂ in common. The phosphonate groups are placed on
different backbones, often bound through a methylene group to amines (amine
methylenephosphonates), or directly onto a carbon atom. Being multifunctional acids,
phosphonates will form salts or complexes of different composition, depending on the
chemical composition and the pH of the environment.These substances are used primarily as
acids and as salts. Phosphonates ligands demonstrate a very high affinity for alkali metal
ions. They form crystals with some difficulty and are usually distributed commercially as
25 to 60% aqueous solutions of acids or sodium salts with technical grade purity.
Organophosphonate chelating compounds are widely used in a broad variety of applications.
Their ability to prevent precipitation of calcium salts at stoichiometric concentrations
finds wide application in water treatment for scale inhibition and in corrosion
inhibition. Other uses include peroxy bleach stabilization, span applications in flame-
resistant polymers, photographic processing, ore flotation (aminophosphonic surfactants),
actinide separation processes and analytical chemistry. The high biological activity of
carboxyalkylphosphonates, aminoalkylphosphonates, and alkylenediphosphonates, make them
useful as agents in microfertilizers and pesticides, in agriculture, as well as drugs and
diagnostic reagents in biology and medicine. Impurities including H3PO4, H3PO3 and ligands
of lower denticity, are quite common for phosphonates. Used in cooling water treatments as
deflocculant and sequestrant. Use in photography.

SYNONYMS

C2H8O7P2, C(OH)(CH3)(PO3H2)2, "1, 1, 1-ethanetriol diphosphonate", "1, 1, 1-ethanetriol
diphosphonate", "etidronic acid", HEDP, EHDP, "ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1'-diphosphonate",
"ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1'-diphosphonate", "1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonoethane", "1-hydroxy-1,
1-diphosphonoethane", "1-hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid", "1-hydroxyethanediphosphonic
acid", "oxyethylidenediphosphonic acid", "phosphonic acid, 1-hydroxy-1, 1-ethanediyl
ester", "phosphonic acid, 1-hydroxy-1, 1-ethanediyl ester", "phosphonic acid, (1-
hydroxyethylidene)bis-", "1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid", "1-
hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid", "Ferros 510", "Dequest 2015", "Dequest Z 010",
"Dequest 2010"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
May cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The phosphonic acid compounds ATMP, HEDP, DTPMP and their salts can be considered to be of low to moderate acute oral toxicity. ATMP acid was of moderate acute toxicity to mammals. The acute oral LD50 in rat was determined to be 2910 mg active acid/kg bw. In comparison, the tetrasodium and pentasodium salt of ATMP were less acutely toxic with LD50 values of 8610 and 7120 mg active salt/kg bw, respectively. HEDP acid and its salts are of moderate acute oral toxicity LD50's in rats and mice ranging from 1100 to 1878 mg active acid/kg bw. The oral LD50 values of HEDP salts were in a slightly wider range from 581 mg active salt/kg bw to greater than 5000 mg active salt/kg. DTPMP acid and salts are of low toxicity with oral LD50 values from 3870 mg active salt/kg bw to less than 8757 mg active salt/kg bw.  In pharmacology bisphosphonates (also called diphosphonates) are a class of drugs that inhibit osteoclast action and resorption of bone; they are used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. osteitis deformans (Paget's disease of the bone), bone metastasis (with or without hypercalcaemia), multiple myeloma and other conditions that feature bone fragility.  The association between bisphosphonates and severe musculoskeletal pain may be overlooked by healthcare professionals, delaying diagnosis, prolonging pain and/or impairment, and necessitating the use of analgesics. The severe musculoskeletal pain may occur within days, months, or years after starting a bisphosphonates. Some patients have reported complete relief of symptoms after discontinuing the bisphosphonate, whereas others have reported slow or incomplete resolution. The risk factors for and incidence of severe musculoskeletal pain associated with bisphosphonates are unknown.  Ingestion of acidic corrosives may produce burns around and in the mouth. the throat and esophagus. Immediate pain and difficulties in swallowing and speaking may also be evident. Swelling of the epiglottis may make it difficult to breathe which may result in suffocation. More severe exposure may result in vomiting blood and thick mucus, shock, abnormally low blood pressure, fluctuating pulse, shallow respiration and clammy skin, inflammation of stomach wall, and rupture of esophageal tissue. Untreated shock may eventually result in kidney failure. Severe cases may result in perforation of the stomach and abdominal cavity with consequent infection, rigidity and fever. There may be severe narrowing of the esophageal or pyloric sphincters; this may occur immediately or after a delay of weeks to years. There may be coma and convulsions, followed by death due to infection of the abdominal cavity, kidneys or lungs.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to acids may result in the erosion of teeth, swelling and or ulceration of mouth lining. Irritation of airways to lung, with cough, and inflammation of lung tissue often occurs. Chronic exposure may inflame the skin or conjunctiva.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  The observed eye irritation potential of the phosphonic acid compounds ATMP, HEDP, DTPMP and their salts, ranged from practically non-irritating to severely irritating with irreversible effects. ATMP acid tested as neat product was considered to be moderately irritating to rabbit eyes, whereas the tetra- and pentasodium salt which were tested in aqueous solutions containing around 40 % active salt were found to be practically non-  irritating. These products were evaluated without immediate rinsing the eye following application. All test animals were free of symptoms by the end of the observation period. HEDP acid was tested as a formulation containing 60 % active acid and minimal amounts of HCl with and without rinsing immediately after application. In the study without rinsing, the formulation caused severe irritation and persistent effects. Rinsing the eye directly after application, lessened the severity of the response and all effects disappeared by the end of the observations. The HEDP salts were less irritating to the rabbit eyes in studies with pure salts and formulations thereof tested without rinsing. The tetrasodium salt (i.e., tested as solution containing up to 30 % active salt) was only minimally irritating to the rabbits eyes. In general the same trend as was found with skin irritation was found for eye irritation. The acid compounds were more irritating then tested salts and duration of exposure (i.e., as mimicked by rinsing/non-rinsing immediately after product installation) increased the observed symptoms.  Direct eye contact with acid corrosives may produce pain, tears, sensitivity to light and burns. Mild burns of the epithelia generally recover rapidly and completely. Severe burns produce long-lasting and possibly irreversible damage. The appearance of the burn may not be apparent for several weeks after the initial contact. The cornea may ultimately become deeply opaque resulting in blindness.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  The acids and salts of ATMP, HEDP, and DTPMP can be considered to be of low acute dermal toxicity. ATMP acid and its tetra- and pentasodium salt were practically non-toxic with LD<sub>50 </sub>values exceeding the concentrations tested. Dermal LD<sub>50 </sub>values were determined to be greater than 6310 mg active acid/kg bw. No dermal toxicity was observed for HEDP acid and its salts at the highest tested concentrations tested of 1650 mg active salt/kg bw. DTPMP compounds On the basis of the studies phosphonic acid chelatants and their salts, can generally be considered to be mildly irritating to skin at most. In one study a more severe reaction was observed, when an aqueous solution containing 25 % of ATMP acid was applied to intact rabbit skin for 4 hours under occluded conditions. The same result was obtained when an aqueous solution containing 33 % active tetrasodium salt of HEDP was applied to rabbit skin for 24 hours under occlusive dressing The longer application time of 24 h caused more irritation then when the acid or salt product was only applied over 4 h where no irritation response was observed in most cases regardless of the strength of the product tested. Applying the neat acid or salt did not seem to produce a consistently greater effect, rather in some cases the neat powder product was less irritating than some tested formulations, indicating reduced potential of the applied powder product for skin reactivity.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Skin contact with acidic corrosives may result in pain and burns; these may be deep with distinct edges and may heal slowly with the formation of scar tissue.  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

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Corrosive acids can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, with coughing, choking and mucous membrane damage. There may be dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness. Swelling of the lungs can occur, either immediately or after a delay; symptoms of this include chest tightness, shortness of breath, frothy phlegm and cyanosis. Lack of oxygen can cause death hours after onset.  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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Acute effects from inhalation of high vapor concentrations may be chest and nasal irritation with coughing, sneezing, headache and even nausea.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long term exposure to organophosphonate chelating agents may cause adverse effects.  Rats fed on aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), for up to 24 months, exhibited reduced body weight and changes in liver, spleen and kidney weights. No adverse histologic. haematologic, biochemical or urinological effects were seen. The "no-effect" level was 150 mg/kg/day. No significant teratogenic or foetotoxic effects were observed in the off-spring of rats and mice exposed to the neutral sodium salt, by gavage. No maternal toxicity was observed at any level. No adverse treatment related effects or reproductive parameters and no pathological or histopathological lesions were observed in either parental animals or pups following dietary exposure of the solid active acid at various times in the mating and birth cycle for three generations.  Rats fed on ethylenediamine(methylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP) (300 mg/kg daily for 10 weeks) before mating and up to the end of the mating period, showed reduced body weights, defects in dental enamel on the incisors and significantly reduced liver weights. In an ongoing study, several rats treated with EDTMP (50-333 mg/kg/day) died during the first twelve months and were seen to have osteosarcomas with metastases. Other adverse effects of EDTMP treatment included increased white blood cell counts in mice, anaemia and reduction in erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum cholesterol, total serum protein and globulin, in rats.  In a one-generation reproductive study the off-spring of rats, fed up to 3000 ppm DTPMPA (diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid)), showed no adverse effects although there was a slight decrease in birth weights.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to acids may result in the erosion of teeth, swelling and or ulceration of mouth lining. Irritation of airways to lung, with cough, and inflammation of lung tissue often occurs. Chronic exposure may inflame the skin or conjunctiva.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.