Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

PARAFFIN OILS

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

BP grades are used as a laxative. Used in food packaging material; as a lubricant and rust
preventative in food packaging machinery; in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, industrial skin
creams and veterinary preparations. A minor usage is as the carrier for evaluation of
chemicals for toxic effects in animal experiments.

SYNONYMS

"highly refined mineral oil", "paraffin liquid", "white mineral oil", "solvent refined
mineral oil", "paraffin oil", "petrolatum, liquid", "Adepsine oil", Alboline, "Bayol F",
Blandlube, "Crystol 325", Crystosol, Drakeol, Fanoline, Glymol, "Bayol 55", Kaydol,
Neocultol, Kondremul, Molol, Nujol, Saxol, Paroleine, Parol, "Tech Pet F", Peneteck,
Penreco, Perfecta, Petrogalar, "Primol 355", Protopet, "Gold Cross Paraffin Liquid"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. 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, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern.  

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 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.  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

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Oil may contact the skin or be inhaled. Extended exposure can lead to eczema, inflammation of hair follicles, pigmentation of the face and warts on the soles of the feet. There are few systemic effects, but prolonged exposure may lead to a higher incidence of lung scarring.  Repeated application of mildly-treated solvent refined oils (naphthenic and paraffinic) can cause skin tumors, but after severe solvent-refining they do not.