Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (E. COLI SEROTYPE O111:B4)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Bacterial macromolecule with pyrogenic (fever- producing) activity used in the study of
endotoxic shock and in the activation of certain cells to produce cytokines. Bacterial
pyrogens have been given by intravenous injection as a test for pituitary- adrenal
function and have been found on occasion in tap water or detected in potable or distilled
water which has been allowed to stand for some time.

SYNONYMS

endotoxin, "cytokinase activator", lipo-polysaccharide, liposaccharide, "Escherichia coli
macromolecule", "bacterial pyrogen", LPS

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

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.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing skin condition.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Bacterial lipopolysaccharides are the active components of gram-negative  bacterial endotoxins and have been studied principally to elucidate  pathophysiological aspects of endotoxin shock, a profound life-threatening  consequence of bacterial sepsis. Endotoxins are not secreted but are  released following cell disruption. They are less potent and less specific  than exotoxins and do not form toxoids. The polysaccharide unit (somatic O  antigen) is responsible for antigenicity and the phospholipid moiety  (lipid A) is the source of toxicity.  Host-cell (e.g. B lymphocytes, macrophages) activation by  lipopolysaccharide to produce functional differentiation may also be  responsible for pluropotential immunostimulatory activity. Such activation  may result in a cascade of hormone-active lymphokines and monokines  (including interferons alpha-, beta- and gamma-, interleukins 1 and 6,  tumour necrosis factor, platelet activating factor and procoagulant tissue  factor).The capacity of endotoxin lipopolysaccharides and/or their active  lipid A component to initiate a variety of biochemical cell activation  pathways (PKC, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, arachidonate metabolism,  protein myristolation and activation of G-proteins) has been exploited in  the study the mechanics of cell-activation.