Deoxycorticosterone 21-glucoside

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 1 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 3 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure. Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. Possible risk of impaired fertility.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual. Desoxycortone is destroyed in the gastro-intestinal tract and has only a feeble action when given by mouth. Overdose of desoxycortone acetate may produce excessive sodium and water retention leading to hypertension, oedema, pulmonary congestion and signs and symptoms of congestive heart-failure. The corticosteroids cause alterations in metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and affect a range of organs in the body including the heart, muscle and kidneys. Blood chemistry may change and there is decreased activity and shrinkage of the thymus gland, adrenal glands, spleen and lymph nodes. EYE If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage. When applied to the eye, corticosteroids may produce ulceration of the cornea, raised eye pressure and reduced vision; internal administration can cause cataracts. SKIN The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption. 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. Topically applied corticosteroids may be absorbed in sufficient quantity to produce systemic effects. Application to the skin may result in collagen loss and subcutaneous atrophy and local bleaching of deeply pigmented skin. INHALED The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress. 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. Systemic absorption of aerosols containing corticosteroids may produceadrenal insufficiency and collapse.

Potential chronic health

There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment. 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. Ample evidence from experiments exists that there is a suspicionthis material directly reduces fertility. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population. 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. Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids can lead to changes in hormone production, a characteristic "moon face" appearance and a "lemon with matchsticks" fat distribution (central obesity with wasting of limbs), susceptibility to infections, osteoporosis, cataracts, glaucoma, mental disturbance, high blood sugar and sugar in the urine. There may be muscular weakness and fatigue, acne, period disturbances in women and peptic ulcers. Over-exposure may also cause reproductive disorders.