Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDROXYETHYLENEDIAMINE TRIACETIC ACID

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Chelating agent; water softener.

SYNONYMS

C8-H14-N2-O7, "glycine, N-(carboxymethyl)-N-[2-((carboxymethyl)amino)-2-hydroxyethyl]-",
"glycine, N-(carboxymethyl)-N-[2-((carboxymethyl)amino)-2-hydroxyethyl]-", hydroxy-EDTA,
"N'-hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid", "N'-hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

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.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Injection of EDTA and it salts can cause severe kidney damage with tissue death and internal bleeding, bone marrow depression and critically low levels of calcium.  Chelates are occasionally used in therapies for various forms of poisoning. A systemic reaction known as the "excessive chelation syndrome" consists mainly of general unwellness, fatigue, thirst, followed by chills and fever. Muscle ache, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and occasionally increased urinary urgency and frequency may occur, as may cold-like symptoms.