Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZINC OXALATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent. Intermediate

SYNONYMS

C2-O4-Zn, ZnC2O4, "oxalic acid, zinc salt"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Soluble zinc salts produces irritation and corrosion of the alimentary tract with pain, and vomiting. Death can occur due to insufficiency of food intake due to severe narrowing of the esophagus and pylorus.  Soluble or solubilized oxalates act as severe corrosive agents within the alimentary tract and may be lethal as a result of severe gastroenteritis and secondary shock. Where gastrointestinal symptoms are absent (as is the case with dilute solutions) systemic effects may dominate resulting in muscle twitching, cramps, depression of respiratory and cardiac functions. Other symptoms of poisoning include vomiting (often bloody with coffee spots), pain, weak and irregular pulse, headache, stiffness, convulsions, stupor and coma. Kidney damage occurs, causing a reduction in frequency of urination, and also protein and blood in the urine.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Oxalate ion is an irritant and may cause dermatitis. Following contact skin lesions may develop. Epithelial cracking and slow-healing ulceration may follow.They fingers may appears cyanotic.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  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 of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  Inhalation of soluble oxalates produces irritation of the respiratory tract. Systemic effects may include protein in the urine (albuminuria), ulceration of the mucous membranes, headaches, nervousness, cough, vomiting, emaciation, back pain (due to kidney injury) and weakness.  Inhalation of soluble oxalates over a long period of time might result in weight loss and respiratory tract inflammation.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Exposure to the material may cause concerns for human fertility, on the basis that similar materials provide some evidence of impaired fertility in the absence of toxic effects, or evidence of impaired fertility occurring at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects, but which are not a secondary non-specific consequence of other toxic effects..  Chronic exposure to oxalates may result in circulatory failure or nervous system irregularities may follow prolonged calcium metabolism due to oxalation.  Prolonged and severe exposure can cause chronic cough, albuminuria, vomiting, pain in the back and gradual emaciation and weakness. Prolonged or repeated overexposure may result in delayed liver and/or kidney damage.  Certain rare individuals are subject to oxalosis (deposition of oxalates in the kidneys) and are unusually reactive to any exposure.  Rats administered oxalic acid at 2.5 and 5% in the diet for 70 days developed depressed thyroid function and weight loss. A study of railroad car cleaners in Norway who were heavily exposed to oxalic acid solutions and vapors revealed a 53% prevalence of urolithiasis (the formation of urinary stones), compared to a rate of 12% among unexposed workers from the same company.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.