Ethyl ricinoleate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 1 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 0 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 0 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS None EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, 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. Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual. Fatty acid esters have fairly low toxicity. Ricinoleic acid, the major fatty acid present in castor oil, has a variety of effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including inhibition of water and electrolyte absorption (Donowitz, 1979), stimulation of water secretion into the intestinal lumen (Ammon and Phillips, 1974), and depression of small bowel contractile activity (Ammon et al. , 1974). EYE Although the liquid is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). 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. The liquid may be miscible with fats or oils and may degrease the skin, producing a skin reaction described as non-allergic contact dermatitis. The material is unlikely to produce an irritant dermatitis as described in EC Directives . 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 either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse 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 and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting. Inhalation of oil droplets/ aerosols may cause discomfort and may produce chemical pneumonitis. Fine mists generated from plant/ vegetable (or more rarely from animal) oils may be hazardous. Extreme heating for prolonged periods, at high temperatures, may generate breakdown products which include acrolein and acrolein-like substances.