4-Nitropyridine N-oxide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 1 Toxicity: 3 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 2 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Toxic if swallowed. Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. Inhalation may produce health damage*. Cumulative effects may result following exposure*. * (limited evidence).

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 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). Symptoms include cyanosis (a bluish discolouration skin and mucous membranes) and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may not be evident until several hours after exposure. At about 15% concentration of blood methaemoglobin there is observable cyanosis of the lips, nose and earlobes. Symptoms may be absent although euphoria, flushed face and headache are commonly experienced. At 25-40%, cyanosis is marked but little disability occurs other than that produced on physical exertion. At 40-60%, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increasingly severe headache, ataxia, rapid shallow respiration, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and stupor. Above 60% symptoms include dyspnea, respiratory depression, tachycardia or bradycardia, and convulsions. Levels exceeding 70% may be fatal. 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. ■ 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. ■ Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual. ■ 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.

Potential chronic health

■ Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems. There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment. 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. Aromatic amine oxides, have some pharmaceutical importance, do not demonstrate surface-acting properties (as do aliphatic amine oxides) and are more resistant than aliphatic amine oxides to reduction. Among the aromatics, 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide is a powerful carcinogen, producing malignant tumors on the skin of mice. 2-Methyl, 2-ethyl, and 6-chloro derivatives of 4-nitroquinoline oxide are also carcinogens.