Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

QUININE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Highly active blood schizonticide (the schizont is the multinucleate stage of certain
sarcodines and sporozoa) and suppresses the asexual cycle of development of malaria
parasites in the erythrocyte. Used also as a bittering agent in foods and beverages.
Possesses some analgesic and anti- pyretic properties.

SYNONYMS

C20-H24-N2-O2, chinin, "cinchonan-9-ol, 6'-methoxy-, (8-alpha, 9R)-", "cinchonan-9-ol,
6'-methoxy-, (8-alpha, 9R)-", "(8-alpha, 9R)-6'-methoxycinchonan-9-ol", "(8-alpha, 9R)-
6'-methoxycinchonan-9-ol", 6-methoxycinchonan-9-ol, 6-methoxycinchonan-9-ol, 6-
methoxycinchonine, 6-methoxycinchonine, alpha-(6-methoxy-4-quinolyl)-5-vinyl-2-
quinuclidinemethanol, alpha-(6-methoxy-4-quinolyl)-5-vinyl-2-quinuclidinemethanol, (-)-
quinine, "2-quinuclidinemethanol, alpha-(6-methoxy-4-quinolyl)-5-vinyl", "2-
quinuclidinemethanol, alpha-(6-methoxy-4-quinolyl)-5-vinyl", "cinchona alkaloid",
antimalarial

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Large doses of quinine and its derivatives may produce severe poisoning characterized by headache, fever, vomiting, muscle weakness, excitement, confusion, blindness (possibly permanent), deafness and loss of consciousness; blood pressure falls and a feeble pulse results. Occasionally, renal failure ensues; death may occur, usually in coma, from respiratory failure.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

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

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  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.  Repeated exposure to quinines can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, ringing in the ear, deafness, visual disturbance and temporary blindness. Some people are hypersensitive to quinine, and small doses in these persons may cause swelling, asthma and other allergic phenomena. Quinine can also cause hemolytic anemia and loss of platelets.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.