Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

IMAZAMOX

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Herbicide for post- emergence control of weeds in soybeans.

SYNONYMS

C15-H19-N3-O4, "3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, 2-[, 5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-",
"3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, 2-[, 5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-", 5-oxo-1H-
imidazol-2-yl]5-methoxymethyl-, 5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]5-methoxymethyl-, 2-(4-isopropyl-4-
methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-5-methoxymethylnicotinic, 2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-
imidazolin-2-yl)-5-methoxymethylnicotinic, acid, "imazapyr, 5-methoxmethyl derivative",
"imazapyr, 5-methoxmethyl derivative", "imidazolinone (chemical family)", "AC 299, 263",
Raptor, "pesticide/ herbicide"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

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.  

EYE

  Evidence exists, or practical experience predicts, that the material may cause eye irritation in a substantial number of individuals. Prolonged eye contact may cause inflammation characterized by a temporary redness of the conjunctiva (similar to windburn).  

SKIN

  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  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.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  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

  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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.  Sulfonylureas, imidazolinones, sulfonoanilides and triazolo-pyrimidines, as herbicides, are used extensively because of their wide-spectrum effects on weeds and their low toxicity to mammals. The effects of these herbicides on plants, micro-algae and bacteria are due to the inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS) involved in the synthesis of acetolactic and butyric acids, which are the precursors of the branched-chain amino acids:  isoleucine, leucine and valine.  Mammals also produce these precursor amino-acids using ALS so the potential for toxic effects is apparent though not evident from many studies.