Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability 1 Toxicity Min/Nil=0 2 Low=1 Body Contact 3 Chronic 2 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Harmful in contact with skin. Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes. Possible risk of harm to the unborn child. Possible risk of irreversible effects. May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED ■ The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. ■ The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects following ingestion (as classified by EC Directives using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse systemic effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum. ■ 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. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating. ■ If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage. ■ 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 be harmful; 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. ■ 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. ■ 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 ■ If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons. ■ Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual. ■ Organic phosphates are very stable and highly hazardous. There are a number of effects they can have on the body, including excitement of the central nervous system, and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. ■ 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

Strong evidence exists that this substance may cause irreversible mutations (though not lethal) even following a single exposure. Based on experience with animal studies, exposure to the material may result in toxic effects to the development of the foetus, at levels which do not cause significant toxic effects to the mother. Laboratory (in vitro) and animal studies show, exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects, with the possibility of producing mutation. Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term occupational exposure. 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. When the substance was administered in the diets of rats the result was a significant induction in epoxide hydrolase activity and cytochrome P-450 content of liver cytosols as well as an increase in mitochondrial protein.