Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

JOHNSON & JOHNSON MEDICAL SOLUGEL WOUND DRESSING

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Wound dressing.

SYNONYMS

"Manufacturer's Code: 10335 (15g), 10336 (50g) 10337 (100g)"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  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.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Propylene glycol is though, by some, to be a sensitizing principal following the regular use of topical creams by eczema patients. A study of 866 persons using a formulation containing propylene glycol in a patch test indicated that propylene glycol caused primary irritation in 16% of exposed individuals probably caused by dehydration. Undiluted propylene glycol was tested on 1556 persons in a 24 hour patch test. 12.5% showed reactions which were largely toxic (70%) or allergic in nature (30%). Reaction responses reached their maximum on the second day or later. Reactions were seasonal in nature ranging from 17.8% in winter to 9.2% in other seasons. In a patch-test using 25 standard allergens conducted on 500 individuals, propylene glycol ranked fourth in sensitizing response. 84 subjects were patch tested using 100% propylene glycol. as well as 2% and 5% in water. With undiluted material, 15% demonstrated a reaction, with 40% of the reactions being allergic in nature and 60% being irritant. In dilute solutions 5 of 248 subjects exhibited a reaction.  Undiluted propylene glycol tested on the skin of man produced no irritation under open conditions but when applied under occlusive conditions, for 2 weeks, it produced severe erythema, edema and vesicles, probably due to sweat retention and weak primary irritation.  Predictive contact skin sensitization tests indicate that propylene glycol is an intermediate grade sensitizer with an index of 1% of tested subjects.  Groups of cats fed 5 gm/kg/day of propylene glycol for 14 weeks showed a significant dose-  related increase in red blood cell Heinz body formation without any marked signs of hemolytic anemia. The no-effect-level for cats without formation of Heinz bodies is 100-  500 ml/kg. There is no evidence of anemia or degenerative change. Groups of rats dosed orally with 0.5 or 10 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks had lowered food intake but no adverse effects on body weights. Erythrocytes were more fragile. Heinz bodies were not apparent.