2-Methyl-1-propanethiol

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 3 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK May cause SENSITISATION by skin contact. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. Highly flammable. Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Potential 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. After oral n-butyl mercaptan administration rats and mice, surviving near lethal doses, were found to have kidney and liver damage when autopsied 20 days after exposure. EYE This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons. SKIN This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons. The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition. Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption. 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. Material is highly volatile and may quickly form a concentrated atmosphere in confined or unventilated areas. Vapor is heavier than air and may displace and replace air in breathing zone, acting as a simple asphyxiant. In a laboratory engaged in the production of acrylic resins accidental exposure of seven workers at levels believed to be 50-500 ppm n-butyl mercaptan for 1 hour caused symptoms of CNS toxicity; all reported muscular weakness and malaise, flushing of the face, ,increased rate of breathing and obvious mydriasis; six experiencing sweating, nausea, vomiting and headache; three experienced confusion and one lapsed into coma for 20 minutes. Six recovered within one day but the most seriously effected worker experienced profound weakness, dizziness, vomiting, drowsiness and depression. Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual. Thiols (particularly ethyl mercaptan) produce lethargy or sleepiness. Exposure to high levels may result in nausea, vomiting, restlessness, muscle incoordination and or paralysis, bluing of skin, depression of breathing, coma and death.

Potential chronic health

Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems. Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. Embryotoxic effects were noted in mice exposed at 68 ppm and 152 ppm of n-butyl mercaptan for 6 hours/day on gestation days 6 to 16. Chronic exposure to mercaptans may result in damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver.