Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

OBIDOXIME CHLORIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Obidoxime is used as an adjunct but not a substitute for atropine in the treatment of
poisonings by certain cholinesterase inhibitors (such as the organophosphorus pesticides).
It reactivates the enzyme cholinesterase and reduces the amount of acetylcholine which
might otherwise accumulate. It also reacts chemically with some cholinesterase inhibitors
and possesses pharmacological actions of its own. Atropine on the other hand counteracts
the effect of the accumulation of acetylcholine. Obidoxime is not equally an antagonist to
all anticholinesterases being effective against organophosphorus insecticides and miotics
including amiton, demeton- methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos, disulfoton, dyflos, fenthion,
malathion, mevinphos, parathion, parathion- methyl, phosphamidon and TEPP; it is
relatively ineffective against dimefox, dimethoate, methyl diazinon, mipafox and scradan
and against carbamate insectides. It is only slightly effective against overdose with
cholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine. Effective against the
warfare nerve gases, sarin, GF, VX; less efective againt soman.

SYNONYMS

C14-H16-N4-O3.2Cl, "pyridinimium, 1, 1'-(oxymethylene)bis(4-formyl-, dichloride,
dioxime", "pyridinimium, 1, 1'-(oxymethylene)bis(4-formyl-, dichloride, dioxime", BH-
6/, BH6, "1, 3-bis(4-aldoximinopyridinium) dimethyl ether bichloride", "1, 3-bis(4-
aldoximinopyridinium) dimethyl ether bichloride", "N, N-dimethyleneoxidebis(pyridinium-4-
aldoxime) dichloride", "N, N-dimethyleneoxidebis(pyridinium-4-aldoxime) dichloride", "N,
N-dimethylenoxid-bis-(pyridinium-4-aldoxim)dichlorid", "N, N-dimethylenoxid-bis-
(pyridinium-4-aldoxim)dichlorid", "ether bis-14-hydroxyiminomethylopyridine-(1)-
metylodichloride", "ether bis-14-hydroxyiminomethylopyridine-(1)-metylodichloride", LUEH-
6, LUH6, "Luh(sub 6)LU H6 dichloride", "obidoxime dichloride", "obidoxime hydrochloride",
"1, 1'-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[4-(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium dichloride", "1, 1'-
[oxybis(methylene)]bis[4-(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium dichloride", "1, 1'-
(oxydimethylene)bis(formylpyridinium)dichloride dioxime", "1, 1'-
(oxydimethylene)bis(formylpyridinium)dichloride dioxime", "1, 1'-(oxydimethylene)bis(4-
formylpyridinium) dioxime dichloride", "1, 1'-(oxydimethylene)bis(4-formylpyridinium)
dioxime dichloride", "bis(4-hydroximinomethylpyridinium-1-methyl)ether dichloride",
"bis(4-hydroximinomethylpyridinium-1-methyl)ether dichloride", "1, 3-bis(4-
hydroxyiminomethyl-1-pyridinio)-2-oxapropane dichloride", "1, 3-bis(4-hydroxyiminomethyl-
1-pyridinio)-2-oxapropane dichloride", "bis(isonicotinaldoxime-1-methyl) ether
dichloride", "bis(isonicotinaldoxime-1-methyl) ether dichloride", BU-6, "pyridinium, 1,
1'-[oxybis(methylene)]bis[4-((hydroxyimino)methyl]-, dichloride", "pyridinium, 1, 1'-
[oxybis(methylene)]bis[4-((hydroxyimino)methyl]-, dichloride", Toxobidin, Toxogonin,
Toxogonine, "Toxogonin dichloride", Toksobidin, "cholinesterase reactivator", "quaternary
oxime"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May form explosive peroxides.
Toxic to aquatic organisms.

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.  Concentrated solutions of many cationics may cause corrosive damage to mucous membranes and the esophagus. Nausea and vomiting (sometimes bloody) may follow ingestion. Serious exposures may produce an immediate burning sensation of the mouth, throat and abdomen with profuse salivation, ulceration of mucous membranes, signs of circulatory shock (hypotension, labored breathing, and cyanosis) and a feeling of apprehension, restlessness, confusion and weakness. Weak convulsive movements may precede central nervous system depression. Erosion, ulceration, and petechial hemorrhage may occur through the small intestine with glottic, brain and pulmonary edema. Death may result from asphyxiation due to paralysis of the muscles of respiration or cardiovascular collapse. Fatal poisoning may arise even when the only pathological signs are visceral congestion, swallowing, mild pulmonary edema or varying signs of gastrointestinal irritation. Individuals who survive a period of severe hypertension may develop kidney failure. Cloudy swelling, patchy necrosis and fatty infiltration in such visceral organs as the heart, liver and kidneys shows at death.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  Pyridine and its derivatives generally produce local irritation oncontact with the cornea.  

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.  Pyridine and derivatives cause local irritation on skin; absorption through the skin can cause similar effects as inhalation.  

INHALED

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  Although inhalation is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still produce health damage, especially where pre-existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally confined to doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-  health).  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.  Pyridine and its derivatives generally produce local irritation on contact with the mucous membranes. Overexposure to pyridine and some of its derivatives may produce headache, nausea, loss of consciousness, nervousness, loss of appetite, sleeplessness and narcosis;  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  Data from experimental studies indicate that pyridines represent a potential cause of cancer in man. They have also been shown to cross the placental barrier in rats and cause premature delivery, miscarriages and stillbirths. PAs are passed through breast milk. Pyridine has been implicated in the formation of liver cancers.