Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UREA

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used widely as a fertilizer (readily available source of nitrogen). In animal feeds.
Reacted with aldehydes to make resins and plastics. Condensed with malonic ester to form
barbituric acid. Used extensively in the paper industry to soften cellulose. In ammoniated
dentifrices. In medicine used for treatment of cerebral oedema, also as a diuretic. Also
used in detergents, yeast production, dyes and pigments.

SYNONYMS

(NH2)2-CO, C-H4-N2-O, Aquacare, Aquahydrate, Basodexan, carbamide, carbonyldiamine,
"carbamide resin", "carbamimidic acid", "carbonyl diamide", isourea, Keratinamin,
Nutraplus, Pastoran, Prespersion, pseudourea, "Supercel 30000", Ureaphil, Ureophil,
Urevert, Urepearl, "Varioform II", "Varioform II", CSBP, "ResGen Microhyb", HYB125.GF,
HYB250.GF, "Cellpaste-K 371043", "Cellpaste-101 320523", "Cellpaste-K4P 332021", Pivot,
9516940, 9517740, 9516915, 9516900, 9516912, 9516911, 9516950, 9518000, 9518012, 9515000,
9515050, 9515011, 9519950, 9519900, 9514612, 9514611, 9514600, 9514625, 9514640, 9514650,
Ikon, "David Craig Urea"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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

  Although the material 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.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

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.  Inhalation of dust may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Primary route of exposure is usually by inhalation of generated dust.  High levels of exposure to urea in the Russian workplace have been  reported to produce emphysema.  The backs of rats were treated by dermal application with 10%, 20%, 40%  urea ointment daily for 4 to 24 weeks. No erythema or other responses were  noted at the application site. At 25 weeks there was a decrease, in the  40% urea ointment group, of brain and prostrate weights.  In medicine, avoid urea in cases of renal or hepatic impairment.  Urea is excreted as a product of normal body metabolic processes.