4-Nitrophenyl chloroformate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability 1 Toxicity 3 Min/Nil=0 Body Contact 3 Low=1 Reactivity Moderate=2 2 High=3 Chronic 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Reacts violently with water. Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes. Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation. Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

Potential 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. ■ The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. ■ The substance and/or its metabolites may bind to haemoglobin inhibiting normal uptake of oxygen. This condition, known as "methaemoglobinemia", is a form of oxygen starvation (anoxia). ■ Ingestion of acidic corrosives may produce burns around and in the mouth, the throat and oesophagus. Immediate pain and difficulties in swallowing and speaking may also be evident. EYE ■ The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapours or mists may be extremely irritating. ■ If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage. ■ Irritation of the eyes may produce a heavy secretion of tears (lachrymation). ■ Direct eye contact with acid corrosives may produce pain, tears, sensitivity to light and burns. Mild burns of the epithelia generally recover rapidly and completely. SKIN ■ Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effects may result following absorption. ■ The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin. ■ 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. ■ Skin contact with acidic corrosives may result in pain and burns; these may be deep with distinct edges and may heal slowly with the formation of scar tissue. ■ Solution of material in moisture on the skin, or perspiration, may markedly increase skin corrosion and accelerate tissue destruction. INHALED ■ If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons. ■ Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material, during the course of normal handling, may produce toxic effects. ■ Eye contact, inhalation or skin exposure to chloroformate and its products causes an irritant effect which may be initially difficult to perceive, but becomes progressively worse with prolonged exposure. It may lead to death by causing breathing difficulties and lasting damage to the respiratory system. ■ Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled. If prior damage to the circulatory or nervous systems has occurred or if kidney damage has been sustained, proper screenings should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk if handling and use of the material result in excessive exposures. ■ Hydrogen chloride (HCl) vapour or fumes present a hazard from a single acute exposure. Exposures of 1300 to 2000 ppm have been lethal to humans in a few minutes. ■ Corrosive acids can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, with coughing, choking and mucous membrane damage. There may be dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness.

Potential chronic health

■ Harmful danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation. This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation. Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term occupational exposure. Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray. Chronic minor exposure to hydrogen chloride (HCl) vapour or fume may cause discolouration or erosion of the teeth, bleeding of the nose and gums; and ulceration of the nasal mucous membranes. Repeated exposures of animals to concentrations of about 34 ppm HCl produced no immediate toxic effects. Workers exposed to hydrochloric acid suffered from gastritis and a number of cases of chronic bronchitis have also been reported. Repeated or prolonged exposure to dilute solutions of HCl may cause dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged exposure to acids may result in the erosion of teeth, swelling and/or ulceration of mouth lining. Irritation of airways to lung, with cough, and inflammation of lung tissue often occurs. Chronic exposure may inflame the skin or conjunctiva.