Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

P-NITRO SODIUM PHENOLATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

C6-H5-N-O3, C6-H5-N-O3, O2NC6H4ONa, "sodium 4-nitrophenoxide", "sodium 4-nitrophenoxide",
"p-nitrophenol sodium salt", "p-nitrophenol sodium salt", PNSP

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Flammable.

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.  The substance and/or its metabolites may bind to hemoglobin inhibiting normal uptake of oxygen. This condition, known as "methemoglobinemia", is a form of oxygen starvation (anoxia).  Symptoms include cyanosis (a bluish discoloration skin and mucous membranes) and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may not be evident until several hours after exposure.  At about 15% concentration of blood methemoglobin there is observable cyanosis of the lips, nose and earlobes. Symptoms may be absent although euphoria, flushed face and headache are commonly experienced. At 25-40%, cyanosis is marked but little disability occurs other than that produced on physical exertion. At 40-60%, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increasingly severe headache, ataxia, rapid shallow respiration, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and stupor. Above 60% symptoms include dyspnea, respiratory depression, tachycardia or bradycardia, and convulsions. Levels exceeding 70% may be fatal.  

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.  

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.  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.  Breathing in nitrophenols may result in irritation of the lining of the nasal passage, and mouth and poisoning of the bodies nervous system. Poisoning of the bodies central nervous system, reduces the bloods capacity to carry oxygen to the bodies tissues and organs. Flushed face, headache and and a sense of elation are common. Moderate exposure may produce bluish discoloration of the lips, earlobes, and finger nails. A loss of muscle coordination may occur along with difficulty breathing, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting. High concentrations may result in rapid beating of the heart, rapid violent spasms of the bodies muscles and loss of consciousness.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  Exposure over a long period of time to nitrophenols may produce kidney and liver damage. Inflammation of the colon, intestine, liver, stomach, and enlargement of the spleen may occur.