Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VIRGINIA RETRO FIT TEST KIT, RTK

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used according to manufacturer' s directions.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in
contact with skin and if swallowed.
Highly flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause, if swallowed once, very serious, irreversible damage of organs.  Methanol may produce a burning or painful sensation in the mouth, throat, chest, and stomach. This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, restlessness, confusion, drunken behavior, visual disturbance, drowsiness, coma and death. These symptoms may not occur until several hours after exposure. Visual impairment produces blurring, double vision, color distortion, reduced visual field, and blindness. In higher doses, the liver, kidney, heart and muscle can all be damaged. 10mL can cause blindness, and 60-200mL will cause death in adults.  

EYE

  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Moderate inflammation may be expected with redness; conjunctivitis may occur with prolonged exposure.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  There is strong evidence to suggest that this material, on a single contact with skin, can cause serious, irreversible damage of organs.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause moderate inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Most liquid alcohols appear to act as primary skin irritants in humans. Significant percutaneous absorption occurs in rabbits but not apparently in man.  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

  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce toxic effects.  Minor but regular methanol exposures may effect the central nervous system, optic nerves and retinae. Symptoms may be delayed, with headache, fatigue, nausea, blurring of vision and double vision. Continued or severe exposures may cause damage to optic nerves, which may become severe with permanent visual impairment even blindness resulting. WARNING: Methanol is only slowly eliminated from the body and should be regarded as a cumulative poison which cannot be made non-harmful [CCINFO].  There is strong evidence to suggest that this material, on a single contact with skin, can cause serious, irreversible damage of organs.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause, if swallowed once, very serious, irreversible damage of organs.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to methanol vapor, at concentrations exceeding 3000 ppm, may produce cumulative effects characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting), headache, ringing in the ears, insomnia, trembling, unsteady gait, vertigo, conjunctivitis and clouded or double vision. Liver and/or kidney injury may also result. Some individuals show severe eye damage following prolonged exposure to 800 ppm of the vapor.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Minor but regular methanol exposures may effect the central nervous system, optic nerves and retinae. Symptoms may be delayed, with headache, fatigue, nausea, blurring of vision and double vision. Continued or severe exposures may cause damage to optic nerves, which may become severe with permanent visual impairment even blindness resulting. WARNING: Methanol is only slowly eliminated from the body and should be regarded as a cumulative poison which cannot be made non-harmful [CCINFO].