Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WARFARIN 0.5% CONCENTRATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Rodenticide.

SYNONYMS

"rat poison"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause harm to the unborn child.

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.  

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.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  

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.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Ample evidence exists that developmental disorders are directlycaused by human exposure to the material.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Accidental single exposure or ingestion is unlikely to present symptoms in  humans. Repeated exposures usually produce delayed symptoms.  The material kills rats through its inhibitory effect on blood clotting,  principally the promotion of bleeding in the gut.  Overexposure may result in back and abdominal pains, vomiting, nose bleeds,  possible rash or skin bleeding. Blood clotting time is reduced greatly and  haemorrhaging is usually the most noticable effect.  Human poisoning is unlikely to occur unless in the case of attempted suicide  or gross carelessness, where repeated oral doses over a period of days are  required for the effect to be produced.