Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZIRCONIUM PICRAMATE, WETTED

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

Zr(C6H4N3O5)4, "picramic acid, zirconium salt"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Explosive when dry.
Danger of cumulative effects.
Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Flammable.
Harmful to aquatic organisms.

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.  Because inorganic zirconium is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract, acute oral toxicity is low. Injection is much more dangerous, causing progressive depression until death.  Symptoms of dinitrophenol poisoning include a rapid increase in body temperature, breathing rate and heart rate. Oxygen demand is raised even faster, causing oxygen deficiency and acid-base imbalance (acidosis) to occur. The cerebrum and brainstem is first stimulated, then depressed, and dinitrophenol derivatives also damage the kidney and liver. The symptoms may appear up to 2 days following exposure and may include high fever, abdominal pain, abdominal spasm, extreme weakness, thirst, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating and breathing difficulties. These may progress to cyanosis (blue-gray skin), lividity and muscle tremor. There can be reduced frequency of urination due to kidney damage and jaundice as a result of hepatitis. Repeated exposure can cause tiredness, headache and a general feeling of unwellness. The symptoms appear to be more serious under high temperatures.  The substance and/or its metabolites may bind to hemoglobin inhibiting normal uptake of oxygen. This condition, known as "methemoglobinemia", is a form of oxygen starvation (anoxia).  Symptoms include cyanosis (a bluish discoloration skin and mucous membranes) and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may not be evident until several hours after exposure.  At about 15% concentration of blood methemoglobin there is observable cyanosis of the lips, nose and earlobes. Symptoms may be absent although euphoria, flushed face and headache are commonly experienced. At 25-40%, cyanosis is marked but little disability occurs other than that produced on physical exertion. At 40-60%, symptoms include weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, increasingly severe headache, ataxia, rapid shallow respiration, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy and stupor. Above 60% symptoms include dyspnea, respiratory depression, tachycardia or bradycardia, and convulsions. Levels exceeding 70% may be fatal.  

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

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  The external application of zirconium can cause nodules in the skinof the armpits.  

INHALED

  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  2,4-dinitrophenol can cause skin eruption, peripheral nerve damage, liver and kidney damage, and rarely cataracts. Repeated or prolonged contact may produce an allergic or irritant inflammation of the skin. Chronic exposures may produce fatigue and weight loss.