Methanesulfonic acid solution

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Min Max Flammability: 1 Toxicity: 2 For Body Contact: 3 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS 1 of 9 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes. Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

Potential health effects

Only

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. 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. Ingestion of acidic corrosives may produce burns around and in the mouth. the throat and esophagus. 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 biochemical systems. Educational The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin. Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption. 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. Use Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material. Solution of material in moisture on the skin, or perspiration, may markedly increase skin corrosion and accelerate tissue destruction. 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 can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage. Corrosive acids can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, with coughing, choking and mucous membrane damage. There may be dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness. 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

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. Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic For problems. There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or There is some evidence that inhaling 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. Alkyl-substituted sulfonates are thought to induce genetic mutations in cells.