4-Pyridinecarboxaldehyde

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 2 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS 1 of 7 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Harmful if swallowed. May cause SENSITISATION by skin contact. Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. Flammable.

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. EYE This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons. Pyridine and its derivatives generally produce local irritation oncontact with the cornea. 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. Pyridine and derivatives cause local irritation on skin; absorption through the skin can cause similar effects as inhalation. INHALED 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. Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures. 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. Pyridine and its derivatives generally produce local irritation on contact with the mucous membranes. Overexposure to pyridine and some of its derivatives may produce headache, nausea, loss of consciousness, nervousness, loss of appetite, sleeplessness and narcosis;

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. There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment. Data from experimental studies indicate that pyridines represent a potential cause of cancer in man. They have also been shown to cross the placental barrier in rats and cause premature delivery, miscarriages and stillbirths. <\p>.