Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WATER HYACINTH

STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE

Not considered a hazardous substance according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200.

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Water hyacinth is a native of South America (Brazil) introduced into Brisbane in the early
1900s. After release into public parks and lagoons throughout Queensland it became
widespread through flooding into creeks, rivers and dams. Having no natural predators it
flourished and quickly became a nuisance. Declared Plant in Queensland, Category P2
Controlled by biological methods, mechanical control, spraying and integrated methods.

SYNONYMS

"Queensland Rural Lands Protection Board", "Water hyacinth aquatic plant control"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

EYE

  Not applicable.  

SKIN

  Not applicable.  

INHALED

  Not applicable.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Children and livestock may be in danger of drowning if they become  entangled in the roots and stolons of a heavy infestation.  Insect pests, in particular mosquito vectors of diseases such as  Ross River fever and encephalitis, breed profusely in the mats produced  by the plant. Stock have difficulty in accessing water covered by the  plant and water flow through irrigation equipment can be reduced.  High rates of transpiration through the leaves during summer can cause up  to four times the loss of water from normal water surface evaporation.  Heavy infestations block light into the water and cause pollution by  reduction of water oxygen content, stagnation and death of aquatic  animals.