Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

JOHNS MECOPLUS 4274 RE-L

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Solvent/thinner

SYNONYMS

C6-H12-O3, CH3OCH2CH(CH3)OC(O)CH3, "1-methoxy-2-propanol acetate", "1-methoxy-2-propanol
acetate", "propylene glycol ether acetate ester", 1-methoxy-2-acetoxypropane, 1-methoxy-2-
acetoxypropane, "1 methoxy propyl acetate", "glycol ether PM acetate", "1-methoxypropyl
acetate-2", "1-methoxypropyl acetate-2", "acetic acid, 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl ester",
"acetic acid, 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl ester", "methyl proxitol acetate", solvent, thinner

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The liquid may produce eye discomfort and is capable of causing temporary impairment of vision and/or transient eye inflammation, ulceration.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Acute effects from inhalation of high vapor concentrations may be chest and nasal irritation with coughing, sneezing, headache and even nausea.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Ample evidence exists, from results in experimentation, that developmental disorders are directly caused by human exposure to the material.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of vapor and skin contact with the material.  Prolonged or continuous skin contact with the liquid may cause defatting with drying, cracking, irritation and dermatitis following.  Repeated exposure to higher concentrations (1000 ppm and above) causes mild  liver and kidney damage in animals.  Some glycol esters and their ethers cause wasting of the testicles, reproductive changes, infertility and changes to kidney function. Shorter chain compounds are more dangerous. Higher concentrations and prolonged exposure can cause blood in the urine.  A minor component, 2-methoxy-1-propyl acetate (the beta-isomer) produced  birth defects on inhalation exposure of pregnant rabbits at 545 ppm, but  not at 145 or 36 ppm; maternal and embryofoetal toxicity on inhalation  exposure of pregnant rats at 2710 ppm, but not at 545 or 110 ppm; and no  adverse effects on dermal exposure of pregnant rabbits at applied dosages  of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of body weight per day during the critical period  or embryofoetal development.  In a further study, no developmental effects were seen following exposure  of pregnant rats at air concentrations of commercial propylene glycol  monomethyl ether acetate (containing 3-5% of the minor component) up to  4000 ppm; slight maternal effects were seen at 5000 ppm and greater.  Exposure of pregnant rats and rabbits to the parent glycol ether,  propylene glycol monomethyl ether which contained comparable amounts of  the primary isomer, 2-methoxy-1-propanol, did not produce teratogenic  effects at concentrations up to 3000 ppm. Foetotoxic effects were seen in  rat foetuses but not in rabbit foetuses at this concentration and maternal  toxicity was noted in both species at this concentration.