Diethyl dithiophosphate ammonium salt

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.

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. ■ Thiophosphates (phosphothioate esters) do not generally produce the same degree of cholinesterase inhibition associated with other organophosphates. They may however react with a range of compounds to produce such inhibitors. Ingestion of large quantities may produce severe abdominal pains, thirst, acidaemia, difficult breathing, convulsions, collapse, shock and even death. Organophosphates may suppress the immune system in some animal species. ■ Large doses of ammonia or injected ammonium salts may produce diarrhea and may be sufficiently absorbed to produce increased production of urine and systemic poisoning. Symptoms include weakening of facial muscle, tremor, anxiety, reduced muscle and limb control. EYE ■ There is evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with pain. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure. SKIN ■ Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption. ■ The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting. ■ 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 ■ Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material, during the course of normalhandling, may be harmful. ■ 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. ■ 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. ■ Prolonged exposure may cause headache, nausea and ultimately loss ofconsciousness.

Potential chronic health

Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. Alkyl thiophosphates may degrade, under certain circumstances, to produce hydrogen sulfide and alkyl mercaptans.