Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WATTYL COLOURTHANE THINNER STANDARD

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Also used to clean equipment; spray guns, paint lines, brushes, etc. The use of a quantity
of material in an unventilated or confined space may result in increased exposure and an
irritating atmosphere developing. Blend of organic solvents used to thin products prior to
spray application.

SYNONYMS

"colourthane thinner solvent reducer"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful by inhalation.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
Flammable.
Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness and cracking.
Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation.
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Swallowing of the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis; serious consequences may result. (ICSC13733).  The main effects of simple esters are irritation, stupor and insensibility. Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, coma and behavioral changes may occur. Respiratory symptoms may include irritation, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, throat inflammation, bronchitis,  lung inflammation and pulmonary edema, sometimes delayed. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps are observed. Liver and kidney damage may result from massive exposures.  Ingestion of alkyl ethers may produce stupor, blurred vision, headache, dizziness and irritation of the nose and throat. Respiratory distress and asphyxia may result.  

EYE

  There is evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with pain. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  Eye contact with alkyl ethers (vapor or liquid) may produce irritation,redness and tears.  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with redness. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that the material may cause moderate inflammation of the skin either following direct contact or after a delay of some time. Repeated exposure can cause contact dermatitis which is characterized by redness, swelling and blistering.  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Repeated exposure may cause skin cracking, flaking or drying following normal handling and use.  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.  Alkyl ethers may defat and dehydrate the skin producing dermatoses. Absorption may produce headache, dizziness, and central nervous system depression.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be harmful.  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.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  If exposure to highly concentrated solvent atmosphere is prolonged this may lead to narcosis, unconsciousness, even coma and possible death.  The main effects of simple esters are irritation, stupor and insensibility. Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, coma and behavioral changes may occur. Respiratory symptoms may include irritation, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, throat inflammation, bronchitis,  lung inflammation and pulmonary edema, sometimes delayed. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps are observed. Liver and kidney damage may result from massive exposures.  Prolonged exposure may cause headache, nausea and ultimately loss ofconsciousness.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Ample evidence exists, from results in experimentation, that developmental disorders are directly caused by human exposure to the material.  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 alkyl ethers may result in loss of appetite, excessivethirst, fatigue,  and weight loss.  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.