Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNIVAR DOWANOL PMA GLYCOL ETHER ACETATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A solvent for acrylics, nitrocellulose, urethanes, lacquers, oils, resins. Component of
thinner mixes.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May form explosive peroxides.
Irritating to eyes.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Ingestion of alkyl ethers may produce stupor, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and irritation of the nose and throat. Respiratory distress and asphyxia may result.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  

EYE

  The liquid may produce eye discomfort and is capable of causing temporary impairment of vision and/or transient eye inflammation, ulceration.  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  Eye contact with alkyl ethers (vapor or liquid) may produce irritation,redness and tears.  

SKIN

  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Alkyl ethers may defat and dehydrate the skin producing dermatoses. Absorption may produce headache, dizziness, and central nervous system depression.  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 hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Acute effects from inhalation of high vapor concentrations may be chest and nasal irritation with coughing, sneezing, headache and even nausea.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), 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.  Following inhalation, ethers cause lethargy and stupor. Inhaling lower alkyl ethers results in headache, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, seizures and possible coma. Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat and cardiovascular collapse may be seen with throat irritation, irregular breathing, pulmonary edema and respiratory arrest. Nausea, vomiting and salivation may be seen. There have been deaths reported, and convulsions and paralysis can be found in severe cases. Massive exposures can cause damage to the kidney and liver.  Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo.  Inhalation of high concentrations of gas/vapor causes lung irritation with coughing and nausea, central nervous depression with headache and dizziness, slowing of reflexes, fatigue and inco-ordination.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of vapor and skin contact with the material.  Prolonged or continuous skin contact with the liquid may cause defatting with drying, cracking, irritation and dermatitis following.  Chronic exposure to alkyl ethers may result in loss of appetite, excessivethirst, fatigue,  and weight loss.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Some glycol esters and their ethers cause wasting of the testicles, reproductive changes, infertility and changes to kidney function. Shorter chain compounds are more dangerous. Higher concentrations and prolonged exposure can cause blood in the urine.  Repeated exposure to higher concentrations (1000 ppm and above) causes mild  liver and kidney damage in animals.  A minor component, 2-methoxy-1-propyl acetate (the beta-isomer) produced  birth defects on inhalation exposure of pregnant rabbits at 545 ppm, but  not at 145 or 36 ppm; maternal and embryofoetal toxicity on inhalation  exposure of pregnant rats at 2710 ppm, but not at 545 or 110 ppm; and no  adverse effects on dermal exposure of pregnant rabbits at applied dosages  of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of body weight per day during the critical period  or embryofoetal development.  In a further study, no developmental effects were seen following exposure  of pregnant rats at air concentrations of commercial propylene glycol  monomethyl ether acetate (containing 3-5% of the minor component) up to  4000 ppm; slight maternal effects were seen at 5000 ppm and greater.  Exposure of pregnant rats and rabbits to the parent glycol ether,  propylene glycol monomethyl ether which contained comparable amounts of  the primary isomer, 2-methoxy-1-propanol, did not produce teratogenic  effects at concentrations up to 3000 ppm. Foetotoxic effects were seen in  rat foetuses but not in rabbit foetuses at this concentration and maternal  toxicity was noted in both species at this concentration.