Selenophene

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 3 Toxicity: 3 Body Contact: 2 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 1 Moderate=2 High=3 Chronic: 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Danger of cumulative effects. Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed. Highly flammable. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual. Acute effects of selenium poisoning include nervousness, convulsions, drowsiness, frontal headaches, and in extreme cases, death from respiratory depression. There may also be skin eruptions, tiredness, stomach upset, discoloration of teeth, an odorous garlic breath and loss of hair and nails. 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 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 . 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 Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce toxic effects. The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of vapors, fumes or aerosols, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress. Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.

Potential chronic health

Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. Chronic exposure to selenium and its compounds irritate the bronchi, cause gastrointestinal problems, irritation of the nasopharynx and a persistent foul garlic breath. There is often metallic tastes, pallor, irritability, extreme tiredness after years of exposure.