Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KEMCO E.P. WINDSHIELD WASH

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Windshield washer solvent.

SYNONYMS

"windshield windscreen washer solvent"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in
contact with skin and if swallowed.
Flammable.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Methanol may produce a burning or painful sensation in the mouth, throat, chest, and stomach. This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, restlessness, confusion, drunken behavior, visual disturbance, drowsiness, coma and death. These symptoms may not occur until several hours after exposure. Visual impairment produces blurring, double vision, color distortion, reduced visual field, and blindness. In higher doses, the liver, kidney, heart and muscle can all be damaged. 10mL can cause blindness, and 60-200mL will cause death in adults.  

EYE

  There is some evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Moderate inflammation may be expected with redness; conjunctivitis may occur with prolonged exposure.  The material may produce moderate eye irritation leading to inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  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.  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.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce toxic effects.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of vapors, fumes or aerosols, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long-term exposure to methanol vapor, at concentrations exceeding 3000 ppm, may produce cumulative effects characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting), headache, ringing in the ears, insomnia, trembling, unsteady gait, vertigo, conjunctivitis and clouded or double vision. Liver and/or kidney injury may also result. Some individuals show severe eye damage following prolonged exposure to 800 ppm of the vapor.