Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH PRESENCE-ABSENCE BROTH

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used for the detection of coliform bacteria.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  As absorption of phosphates from the bowel is poor, poisoning this way is less likely. Effects can include vomiting, tiredness, fever, diarrhea, low blood pressure, slow pulse, cyanosis, spasms of the wrist, coma and severe body spasms.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  

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.  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

  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.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Dusts produced by proteins can sometimes sensitize workers like other foreign bodies. Symptoms include asthma appearing soon after exposure, with wheezing, narrowing of the airways and breathing difficulties. There may also be a chronic cough, phlegm, fever, muscle pains, fatigue and airway obstruction; chest X-rays may show a characteristic net-  like pattern or scarring at the tip and base. There may also be chest discomfort, headache, stomachache and a general feeling of unwellness. Often the clinical picture is similar to "farmer's lung" and other allergic lung inflammations. Prolonged contact with the skin can cause pain, redness, inflammation and ulceration. Repeated attacks can cause loss of lung function due to scarring.  Sodium phosphate dibasic can cause stones in the kidney, loss of mineral from the bones and loss of thyroid gland function.  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.  Dusts produced by enzymes can attack the respiratory system. Allergic asthma produced after exposure includes spasm, cough and wheezing. Other symptoms include chronic cough, phlegm, fever, muscle pains, fatigue, airway obstruction, and scarring at the top or base of the lungs. There may also be abdominal pain, headache, stomach-ache and a general feeling of unwellness. Prolonged contact can result in skin soreness, redness, inflammation and possible ulceration. There may also be loss of lung function due to scarring.