2,4-D AMINE SOLUBLE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Ingestion: Unlikely to occur under occupational conditions. May Toxicity class: cause muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal WHO (a.i.) II; EPA (formulation) II pain, fall in blood pressure or myotonia (prolonged Main Hazard: muscular spasm) under extreme exposure conditions. In Irritant. case of deliberate ingestion, have victim rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Do not induce vomiting. Give fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the plenty of water to drink. Seek medical advice immediately. material. Do not use straight streams. If breathing has stopped, apply artificial respiration. Special hazards: Advice to the physician The material does not burn or burns with difficulty. It is not If substantial amounts have been ingested, spontaneous explosive. Should the chemical be involved in a general emesis may occur. If vigorous emesis has not occurred, fire, ensure chemical protective clothing is used. It can measures should be taken to empty the stomach and limit produce toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, phosgene and gastrointestinal absorption by gastric intubation, aspiration hydrogen chloride. See point 6. and lavage, following placement of a cuffed endotracheal Protective clothing: tube. Repeated administration of charcoal at half or more Wear suitable personal protective equipment including the original dosage every 2 to 4 hours may be beneficial. approved respiratory protection. If gastric aspiration and lavage is not performed due to delay in treatment, and if the patient is fully alert, 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES administer charcoal and laxative orally. Administer intravenous fluids to accelerate excretion of Personal precautions: the chlorophenoxy compound, and to limit concentration of Chemical protective clothing usage is advised, i.e. wear the toxicant in the kidney. A urine flow of 4 to 6 ml/minute neoprene gloves, cotton overalls and safety goggles. is desirable. Intravenous saline/dextrose has sufficed to Environmental precautions: rescue comatose patients who drank 2,4-D and mecoprop Do not allow spill to contaminate water supplies. Dike far several hours before hospital admission. ahead of liquid spills for later disposal. • CAUTION: Monitor urine protein and cells, BUN, serum Large spills: creatinine, serum electrolytes, and fluid intake/output Keep spectators away. Isolate hazard area and deny carefully to insure that renal function remains entry. Stay upwind, out of low-lying areas, and ventilate unimpaired and that fluid overload does not occur. closed spaces before entering. Cover spill with absorbent material. Sweep into disposal container. Wash area with • Forced alkaline diuresis has been used successfully detergent and water and follow with clean water rinse. Do in management of suicidal ingestions of chlorophenoxy not allow spill to contaminate water supplies. Prevent compounds where myoglobinuria is present. Alkalizing entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined the urine by including sodium bicarbonate (44-88 mEq areas. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. per liter) in the intravenous solution apparently Dike far ahead of liquid spills for later disposal. accelerates excretion of 2,4-D dramatically and Small spills: mecoprop excretion substantially. Urine pH should be Take up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent maintained in the 7.6 to 8.8 range. Include potassium material and place into containers for later disposal. chloride as needed to offset increased potassium Notify safety personnel, isolate and ventilate area, deny losses: add 20 to 40 mEq of potassium chloride to each entry, and stay upwind. Shut off all ignition sources. litre of intravenous solution. Monitor serum electrolytes carefully. There may possibly be some hazard to the 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS kidneys when urine concentrations of toxicant are very high, so the integrity of renal function and fluid balance Handling: should be monitored carefully as the chlorophenoxy Relatively safe to handle. Handle all crop protection compound is excreted. chemicals with care and caution. Do not eat, drink, smoke SUPPORTIVE CARE: or go to the toilet with pesticide-contaminated hands. Be prepared to combat respiratory depression, Always wash hands thoroughly after handling pesticides or hypotension, and metabolic acidosis. Maintain adequate waste. urine flow with intravenous fluids if victim is dehydrated. Monitor patient closely for cardiac arrhythmias, Storage: hyperthermia, and seizures. Do not store near sources of sparks, flame or heat. Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated warehouse in well-labelled 5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES containers. Not to be stored next to foodstuffs, seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides and water supplies.