Agarose LE (low electroendosmosis)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness and cracking.

Potential Acute Health Effects

1 of 9 SWALLOWED • The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. The material may still be damaging to the health of the individual, following ingestion, especially where pre-existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern. • Polysaccharides are not substantially absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but may produce a laxative effect. Larger doses may produce intestinal obstruction or stomach concretions. Large quantities of the substituted polysaccharide, methylcellulose (as with other bulk laxatives), may temporarily increase flatulence. Oesophageal obstruction, by swelling, may occur if the material is swallowed dry. Doses of 3-9 gm hydroxypropylcellulose, fed to human subjects, at least one week apart, were eliminated within 96 hours. Animals fed on diets containing 3% or less, experienced no adverse effects. Higher levels produced malnutrition due to excessive bulk but caused no organic damage. In one dog, an oral dose of hydroxypropylcellulose produced diarrhoea and blood cell depression. Ingestion of hetastarch (hydroxyethyl amylopectin) has reportedly produced fever, chills, urticaria and salivary gland enlargement. Several of these effects may be due to contamination by other naturally occurring macromolecules extracted from the source material. Large volumes of ingested hetastarch may interfere with coagulation mechanisms and increase the risk of haemorrhage. Anaphylaxis has occurred. Infusions of dextrans may occasionally produce allergic reactions such as urticaria, hypotension and bronchospasm. Severe anaphylactic reactions may occasionally occur and death may result from cardiac and respiratory arrest. Nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pains, and flushing may also occur. Similarly, allergic reactions, sometimes severe (but rare) have been reported following ingestion or inhalation of tragacanth gums. EYE • Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals. SKIN • The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting. • Repeated exposure may cause skin cracking, flaking or drying following normal handling and use. • 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 is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting. • 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. • Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.

Potential chronic health

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. 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. Studies indicate that diets containing large amounts of non-absorbable polysaccharides, such as cellulose, might decrease absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus.