Nitrilotri(methylphosphonic acid)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability 1 Toxicity 2 Min/Nil=0 Body Contact 3 Low=1 Reactivity Moderate=2 1 High=3 Extreme=4 Chronic 2 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes. May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

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 damaging to the health of the individual. ■ The phosphonic acid compounds ATMP, HEDP, DTPMP and their salts can be considered to be of low to moderate toxicity when swallowed. Animal testing has shown ATMP acid to be of moderate toxicity, with an oral LD50 in rat of 2910 mg active acid/kg. ■ Ingestion of acidic corrosives may produce burns around and in the mouth, the throat and oesophagus. Immediate pain and difficulties in swallowing and speaking may also be evident. 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. ■ The phosphonic acid compounds, ATMP, HEDP, DTPMP and their salts vary in their potential to irritate the eye, from virtually non-irritating to severely irritating with irreversible effects. Animal testing showed that ATMP and its salts were at most moderate irritating, while HEDP acid was found to be severely irritating, its salts being less so. ■ 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 ■ The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin. ■ Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects (as classified under EC Directives); the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. ■ The acids and salts of ATMP, HEDP and DTPMP have a low level of acute skin toxicity. ATMP acid and its salts, in testing, were found to be practically non-toxic. ■ 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. ■ 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 ■ If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons. ■ Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), 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. If prior damage to the circulatory or nervous systems has occurred or if kidney damage has been sustained, proper screenings should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk if handling and use of the material result in excessive exposures. ■ Corrosive acids can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, with coughing, choking and mucous membrane damage. There may be dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness. ■ Inhalation of quantities of liquid mist may be extremely hazardous, even lethal due to spasm, extreme irritation of larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema.

Potential chronic health

■ Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term occupational exposure. 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. Chronic exposure may inflame the skin or conjunctiva. 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. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray. Although the salt of the organophosphate has not been tested, animal testing on the free acid aminotris(methylenephosphonic) acid revealed loss in body weight and changes in the weight of the liver, spleen and kidney.