ZONE DEFENSE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Zone Defense® is a white, odorless, powdered substance that is not flammable, combustible, or explosive, and it presents no unusual hazard if involved in a fire. Zone Defense® presents little or no hazard (to humans) and has low acute oral and dermal toxicity. Care should be taken to minimize the amount of Zone Defense® released to the environment to avoid ecological effects. POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS: Large amounts of Zone Defense® can be harmful to boron-sensitive plants and other ecological systems.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation is the most significant route of exposure in occupational and other settings. Dermal exposure is not usually a concern because Zone Defense® is not absorbed through intact skin. Inhalation: Occasional mild irritation of nose and throat may occur from inhalation of Zone Defense® dusts at levels greater than 10 mg/m3. Eye Contact: Zone Defense® is non-irritating to eyes in normal industrial use. Skin Contact: Zone Defense® does not cause irritation to intact skin Ingestion: Products containing Zone Defense® are not intended for ingestion. Zone Defense® has a relatively low acute toxicity. Small amounts (e.g. a teaspoonful) swallowed accidentally are not likely to cause effects; swallowing amounts larger than that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Cancer: Zone Defense® is not considered a carcinogen. Reproductive: Long-term, high dose animal ingestion studies of similar inorganic borate chemicals have demonstrated reproductive effects in male animals. A human study of occupational exposure to borate dust showed no adverse effect to reproduction. Developmental: Multiple high dose animal ingestion studies of similar inorganic borate chemicals have demonstrated developmental effects in fetuses of pregnant animals, including fetal weight loss. Target Organs: No target organ has been identified in humans. Multiple high dose animal ingestion studies of similar inorganic borate chemicals indicate the testes are the target organs in male animals. Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Symptoms of accidental over-exposure to borate products have been associated with ingestion or by absorption through large areas of damaged skin. These may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with delayed effects of skin redness and peeling. Refer to Section 11 for details on Toxicological Data.