Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

PALMITYL SULFOBETAINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Zwitterionic surfactant which solubilises cardiac 5' - nucleotides.

SYNONYMS

C21-H45-N-O3-S, C21-H45-N-O3-S, CH3(CH2)15N+(CH3)2(CH2)3SO3-, 3-
palmityldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate, 3-palmityldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate,
"hexadecyldimethyl (3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide, inner salt", "N-hexadecyl-N, N-
dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate", "N-hexadecyl-N, N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-
propanesulfonate", "3-(N, N-dimethylpalmitylammonio)propanesulfonate", "3-(N, N-
dimethylpalmitylammonio)propanesulfonate", SB-16

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful to aquatic organisms.

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 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.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Zwitterionic (amphoteric) surfactants appear to decrease skin barrier function to some extent. It has been suggested that these surfactants (typically betaines and sulfobetaines) may solubilise stratum corneum lipids. Studies confirm that dermal LD50s of certain substances may be reduced in the presence of these surfactants. (Ridout et al; Sciences Vol 16 pp 41-50 - 1990).  

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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to the product is not thought to produce chronic effects adverse to the health (as classified using animal models); nevertheless exposure by all routes should be minimized as a matter of course.  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.