Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HARMINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A natural product having CNS stimulating properties. Dye

SYNONYMS

C13-H12-N2-O, Banisterine, Leucoharmine, 6-methoxyharman, 6-methoxyharman, "7-methoxy-1-
methyl-9H-pyrido(3, 4, -b)indole", "7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido(3, 4, -b)indole", 1-
methyl-7methoxy-beta-carboline, 1-methyl-7methoxy-beta-carboline, Telepathine, Yageine

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
Danger of cumulative effects.
Very toxic 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 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.  Morphine and other analgesics cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness and confusion. Urination can be difficult, and the bowel and bile ducts can spasm. They also cause dry mouth, pin point pupils, sweating, flushing, vertigo, slow and shallow breathing, weak pulse, blue-gray skin (cyanosis), palpitations, low blood pressure, low temperature, restlessness, and mood changes. Acute toxic effects include lung swelling, spasticity, muscle twitching and unconsciousness. Increased pressure in the head may occur. Larger doses can cause depression of breathing and low blood pressure, with failure of circulation and deepening coma. Failure of breathing can cause death. As the analgesia (loss of sensation) wears off, sensitivity to pain is increased. Higher doses produce stiffening of the muscles and depression of the central nervous system; this can progress to stupor, sedation, unconsciousness and coma. The blood vessels may dilate, causing flushing of the face, neck and upper chest, and lowering of the blood pressure, resulting in fainting. Serious effects due to toxicity to the heart include high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, shock, acute heart failure and stoppage. Hypersensitive reactions can occur, producing rashes, itch, bleeding, and blistering. Digestive effects include constipation, impaction of the bowel with feces and cramps. Urine movements may become less frequent. There may be liver abnormalities, and the liver may be enlarged and tender to touch.  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 with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  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.  Contact dermatitis has been reported with morphine and other narcoticanalgesics.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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.  Chronic morphine poisoning or addiction causes pin-point pupils, rapid mood changes and poor social adaptation. As dependence and tolerance occurs, there is an overwhelming need to continue taking the drug or similar drugs and to increase the dose. Prolonged therapy or abuse may cause abnormal lung function, increased body temperature, and kidney failure. Withdrawal symptoms can last for months. Abrupt withdrawal of the opiates may produce yawning, dilated pupils, tears, runny nose, sneezing, muscle tremor, headache, weakness, sweating, anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep or insomnia, restlessness, orgasm, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, loss of weight, diarrhea, dehydration, increase in the number of white blood cells, bone pain, abdominal and muscle cramps, increase in heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure, rise in temperature and gooseflesh and blood vessel dilation or constriction.