N-Methyl dopamine hydrochloride

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 1 Toxicity: 2 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 3 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Harmful if swallowed. May cause SENSITISATION by skin contact. Possible risk of irreversible effects.

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. As a result of enzymatic degradation in the gut and first-pass metabolism in the liver, adrenaline is almost totally inactive when given by mouth. Phenethylamines produce effects similar to amphetamines. They excite the nervous system, causing shortness of breath, cough, narrowing of the airways and throat spasms. Sympathomimetics, which mimic stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, causing a stimulatory effect on the heart and central nervous system, constriction of blood vessels supplying the skin and mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels supplying muscles of movement, and widening of the airways. These drugs may act on the receptor or the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. EYE Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. Melanin-like deposits in the cornea and conjunctiva may follow the use of eye-drops containing adrenaline and naso-lachrymal duct blockage may also occur. Repeated administration may cause oedema, hyperemia and inflammation of the eyes. 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. 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. Sympathomimetics, which mimic stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, causing a stimulatory effect on the heart and central nervous system, constriction of blood vessels supplying the skin and mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels supplying muscles of movement, and widening of the airways. These drugs may act on the receptor or the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Stimulation of heart beta-1 adrenergic receptors may cause increased heart rate and irregularity of heartbeat, tightness and a constricting pain in the chest, palpitations and heart stoppage; low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing may also occur. Beta-1 receptors mediate the action of sympathomimetics; beta-2 receptors control dilation of the airways.

Potential chronic health

Strong evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure. Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. There is some evidence that human exposure to the material may result in developmental toxicity. This evidence is based on animal studies where effects have been observed in the absence of marked maternal toxicity, or at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which are not secondary non-specific consequences of the other toxic effects. Side effects such as anxiety, dyspnoea, hyperglycaemia, restlessness, palpitations, tachycardia, tremors, weakness, dizziness, headache and coldness of the extremities may occur with small doses of adrenaline Overdosage may result in cardiac arrhythmias, cerebral haemorrhage and pulmonary oedema. May cause congenital malformation of the fetus if administered during pregnancy. Chronic exposure to phenethylamines excite the central nervous system and induce tolerance; in extreme cases they produce amphetamine-like responses including personality changes, compulsive and stereotyped behavior and may induce psychosis with auditory and visual hallucinations and paranoid delusions. Exposure to the material for prolonged periods may cause physical defects in the developing embryo (teratogenesis).