Product name: Advantage Diquat 240

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Symptoms of Acute Exposure Harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Irritating to eyes and skin. Hazardous Decomposition Products Flammable hydrogen gas may be formed on contact with aluminum. See "Conditions to Avoid", Section 10. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases. Unusual Fire, Explosion and Reactivity Hazards This product may form flammable and explosive hydrogen gas when in contact with aluminum. During a fire, irritating and possibly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion.

Potential health effects

Irritation of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach can develop following ingestion. The degree of injury will depend on the amount absorbed from the gut. Symptoms following ingestion of diquat concentrate may initially include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and severe irritation of the mouth, throat and esophagus. These can be followed by kidney failure and other internal organ involvement. This substance is considered slightly toxic by inhalation. The degree of injury will depend on the airborne concentration and duration of exposure. Diquat is a water-soluble salt which has no measurable vapour pressure. Therefore, inhalation hazard from diquat vapour is minimal. If the concentrate is spilled and allowed to stand, it can dry to a highly irritating dust. Symptoms of inhalation overexposure may include headache, nosebleed, sore throat and coughing. This material is classified as "slightly toxic" by dermal absorption. The degree of injury will depend on the amount absorbed. Because diquat is an ionized compound, it has a slow rate of absorption through intact skin. Prolonged or repeated contact may result in skin damage, thus allowing more of the chemical to be absorbed. This could result in systemic poisoning as evidenced by injury to internal organs, primarily the kidneys. Short contact periods with human skin are not usually associated with skin irritation; repeated and/or prolonged contact can result in skin irritation. Repeated and/or prolonged contact may cause dermatitis. This material may irritate human eyes following contact and could cause prolonged (weeks) impairment of vision. The degree of injury will depend on the amount of material that gets into the eye and the speed and thoroughness of the first aid treatment. Symptoms may include pain, tearing, swelling, redness, and blurred vision.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Skin, eyes, mouth, lungs