Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH CYANIDE VIAL REAGENT

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used for the determination of cyanide.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Heating may cause an explosion.
Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
May cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Acute potassium poisoning after swallowing is rare, because vomiting usually occurs and renal excretion is fast. Potassium causes a slow, weak pulse, irregularities in heart rhythm, heart block and an eventual fall in blood pressure. Breathing initially becomes faster but the muscles of breathing eventually become paralyzed. There can be loss of appetite, extreme thirst, increased volumes of urine, fever, convulsions and gastric disturbances; death may then occur due to failure of breathing and inflammation of the stomach and bowel.  As absorption of phosphates from the bowel is poor, poisoning this way is less likely. Effects can include vomiting, tiredness, fever, diarrhea, low blood pressure, slow pulse, cyanosis, spasms of the wrist, coma and severe body spasms.  

EYE

  Limited evidence or practical experience suggests, that the material may cause eye irritation in a substantial number of individuals. Prolonged eye contact may cause inflammation characterized by a temporary redness of the conjunctiva (similar to windburn).  Alkaline salts may be intensely irritating to the eyes and precautions should be taken to ensure direct eye contact is avoided.  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  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

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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 biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is some evidence to provide a presumption that human exposure to the material may result in impaired fertility on the basis of: some evidence in animal studies of impaired fertility in the absence of toxic effects, or evidence of impaired fertility occurring at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which is not a secondary non-  specific consequence of other toxic effects.  Based on experience with animal studies, there is a possibility that exposure to the material may result in toxic effects to the development of the fetus, at levels which do not cause significant toxic effects to the mother.  Sodium phosphate dibasic can cause stones in the kidney, loss of mineral from the bones and loss of thyroid gland function.  Prolonged oral treatment with sulfonamides has caused nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, inflammation of the mouth cavity, impaired folic acid absorption, exacerbation of porphyria, acidosis, liver damage with impaired blood clotting, jaundice and inflammation of the pancreas. Effects on the kidney include blood and crystals in the urine, painful and frequent urination or lack of urine with nitrogen retention. Nervous system symptoms include headache, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dizziness, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, depression, hallucinations, inco-ordination,  paralysis of muscles, numbness in the extremities, spinal cord damage and inflammation, convulsions and unconsciousness. Effects on the blood includes a change in blood cell distribution with loss of white blood cells and platelets, and anemia, which Africans seem to be more prone to developing than Europeans. Cyanosis can occur owing to complexes being formed by hemoglobin. Eye effects include inflamed cornea and conjunctiva with eyelid swelling and in severe cases, fear of the light. Allergies and cross-sensitivity is common, and can cause itches, wheals and sometimes a severe red rash with blisters that is often fatal. This class of drugs can scar the cornea and conjunctiva, swelling around the eyes, painful and inflamed joints, reduced sperm counts, pneumonia, fever, chills, hair loss, inflammation of vessels, lupus, reduced lung function, infertility, hypothyroidism and goiter, and increased urinary output. More seriously, the lungs may become permanently scarred and there may be irreversible damage to the nervous system and muscles. Inflammation of the skin has occurred after the drug is ingested and has traveled through the bloodstream. Skin effects often occur when there has been exposure in conjunction with UV light. Clothed areas are initially less likely to be affected but may be in later stages. Rarely there may be persistence of inflammation on light contact even after the drug has been removed.