Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HARMAN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

An alkaloid obtained bark of Sickingia rubra (Mart.) K. Schum. (Arariba rubra Mart.),
Rubiaceae, from Symplocus racemosa Roxb., Symplococaceae and Passiflora incarnata L.,
Passifloraceae. MAO inhibitor. Inhibits growth of moulds and certain bacteria.

SYNONYMS

C12-H10-N2, "9H-pyrido(3, 4-b)indole, 1-methyl-", "9H-pyrido(3, 4-b)indole, 1-methyl-",
aribine, harmane, locuturine, loturine, 2-methyl-beta-carboline, 2-methyl-beta-carboline,
3-methyl-4-carboline, 3-methyl-4-carboline, 1-methylnorharman, 1-methylnorharman, "1-
methyl-9H-pyrido(3, 4-b)indole", "1-methyl-9H-pyrido(3, 4-b)indole", passiflorin,
"natural product", "Passiflora extract", "monoamine oxidase inhibitor / MOI/ MAO"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) cause low blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness and tiredness, dry mouth, constipation, other digestive disturbances (including nausea and vomiting) and swelling. Other symptoms include agitation and tremors, sleep disturbance, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, convulsions, skin rash, loss of white blood cells, sexual disturbances and weight gain. There may be psychiatric changes such as elevated mood, confusion and hallucinations, and there can also be jaundice and death of liver tissue. Symptoms may be delayed for several hours. Other effects include increased blood pressure, spasticity and brisk reflexes, sweating, elevated temperature, dilated pupils, urinary retention, convulsions and peripheral collapse. Severe and often fatal increases in blood pressure can occur if the MAOI is given at the same time as certain foods including cheese, broad beans, game, certain alcoholic beverages and other foods containing certain proteins. These reactions can cause severe headache, bleeding to the brain and acute heart failure.  Many beta-carbolines are neurotoxic; several are mutagenic. Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines (THBCs) may produce symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease. They may occur naturally or may be produced by the metabolic conversion of synthetic substances such as the heroin contaminant, MPTP. .  Almost all cooked or prepared foods contain beta-carbolines (BCs) (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]- indoles) which are analogues of tryptophan or tryptamine. These substances may produce neurological effects. They appear to influence benzodiazepine, serotonine and dopamine receptors in the brain and may modify the effects of other neurotransmitters. Such influence may result in increased secretion and decomposition of dopamine (mimicking physical stress) thus enhancing aggressive behaviour (3-methoxycarbonyl- beta-carboline produces such effects) . Other BCs (such as 3-ethoxycarbonyl- beta-carboline) are hypnotic and anaesthetic and diminish sexual appetite. Sleep may be disturbed (3-  hydroxymethyl-beta-carboline). Certain BCs (notably 3-N-methylcarboxamide-beta-carboline) promote reckless behaviour while others (notably 3-methylcarbonyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-  beta-carboline) produce anxiety and suppress immune system activity. Still other BCs may produce sedation (notably 3-ethylcarbonyl-6-benzyloxy-4-methoxymethyl-beta-carboline)  beta-Carbolines (heterocyclic amines) may further react with endogenous amines, such as aniline, to produce mutagenic species. Mutagenic activity is partly dependent on how much nitrogen the BC contains.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

SKIN

  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.  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.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  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 has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.