3-Methyl-1-butanol

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 2 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 2 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Irritating to respiratory system. HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed. Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. Flammable. Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness and cracking.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual. Swallowing of the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis; serious consequences may result. (ICSC13733). Ingestion of 30 ml of primary isoamyl alcohol was lethal for adults. Half the rabbits given an oral dose of 0.7 g/kg primary isoamyl alcohol showed stupour and loss of voluntary movement. Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments. The liquid may produce gastrointestinal discomfort and may be harmful if swallowed. <\p>. Overexposure to non-ring alcohols causes nervous system symptoms. These include headache, muscle weakness and inco-ordination, giddiness, confusion, delirium and coma. <\p>. EYE Ingestion of 30 ml of primary isoamyl alcohol was lethal for adults. Half the rabbits given an oral dose of 0.7 g/kg primary isoamyl alcohol showed stupour and loss of voluntary movement. 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 Repeated exposure may cause skin cracking, flaking or drying following normal handling and use. 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. 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 Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be harmful. The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage. Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo. Adult volunteers exposed to primary isoamyl alcohol at 100 ppm for 3 to 5 minutes showed ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation. Aliphatic alcohols with more than 3-carbons cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle weakness and delirium, central depression, coma, seizures and behavioral changes. Secondary respiratory depression and failure, as well as low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, may follow. <\p>. Inhalation of high concentrations of gas/vapor causes lung irritation with coughing and nausea, central nervous depression with headache and dizziness, slowing of reflexes, fatigue and inco-ordination.

Potential chronic health

Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying with cracking,irritation and possible dermatitis following. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. 27 ml of Primary isoamyl alcohol was delivered by gavage to rats (0.1 mg/kg twice weekly). Malignant tumours (myeloid leukaemia, liver cell carcinomas and antestomach carcinoma) occurred in some treated rats. When 0.4 ml/kg was injected subcutaneously into rats, once a week for a total dose of 3.8 ml, malignant tumours of the liver, spleen, antestomach and retroperitoneal region. Chronic solvent inhalation exposures may result in nervous system impairment and liver and blood changes. [PATTYS].