Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZINC BIS(1,3-DIMETHYLBUTYL)DITHIOPHOSPHATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A lube oil additive for corrosion resistance, wear resistance, antioxidant.

SYNONYMS

C24-H54-O4-P2-S4-Zn, "zinc, bis[O, O-bis(1, 3-dimethylbutyl)phosphorodithioato-S, S']-,
(T-4)-", "phosphorodithioic acid, O, O-bis(1, 3-dimethylbutyl) ester zinc salt",
"phosphorodithioic acid, O, O-bis(1, 3-dimethylbutyl) ester zinc salt", "2-pentanol, 4-
methyl-, O, O-(hydrogen phosphorodithioate) zinc salt", "2-pentanol, 4-methyl-, O, O-
(hydrogen phosphorodithioate) zinc salt", "4-methyl-2-pentanol O, O-(hydrogen
phosphorodithioate) zinc salt", "4-methyl-2-pentanol O, O-(hydrogen phosphorodithioate)
zinc salt", "zinc bis(1, 3-dimethylbutyl)phosphorodithioate", "zinc dialkyl
dithiophosphate"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Thiophosphates (phosphothioate esters) do not generally produce significant cholinesterase inhibition although they may react with a range of compounds to produce such inhibitors. Ingestion of large quantities may produce severe abdominal pains, thirst,  acidaemia, difficult breathing, convulsions, collapse, shock and even death.  

EYE

  Exposure to H2S may produce pain, blurred vision, and irritation. These symptoms are temporary in all but severe cases. Eye irritation may produce conjunctivitis, photophobia,  pain, and at higher concentrations blurred vision and corneal blistering.  There is evidence that material may produce eye irritation in some persons and produce eye damage 24 hours or more after instillation. Severe inflammation may be expected with pain. There may be damage to the cornea. Unless treatment is prompt and adequate there may be permanent loss of vision. Conjunctivitis can occur following repeated exposure.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  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

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  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 vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  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.  Hydrogen sulfide poisoning can cause increased secretion of saliva, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, giddiness, headache, vertigo, memory loss, palpitations, heartbeat irregularities, weakness, muscle cramps, confusion, sudden collapse, unconsciousness and death due to paralysis of breathing (at levels above 300 parts per million). The "rotten egg" odor is not a good indicator of exposure since odor fatigue occurs and odor is lost at over 200 ppm. The gas can enter the body through a punctured ear drum and even wearing some respiratory protection. Immediate supportive care is essential. Ensure medical help is addressed as part of the site emergency plan and that employees who may be accidentally exposed are made aware of the existence of such a plan.  Organic phosphates are very stable and highly hazardous. There are a number of effects they can have on the body, including excitement of the central nervous system, and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. Alkyl phosphates do not cause nerve damage, but they do excite the nervous system and irritate the respiratory tract, eye and skin, and can be absorbed through the skin.  

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 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.  Alkyl thiophosphates may degrade, under certain circumstances, to produce hydrogen sulfide and alkyl mercaptans.  Long term low level exposure to hydrogen sulfide may produce headache, fatigue, dizziness,  irritability and loss of sexual desire. These symptoms may also result when exposed to hydrogen sulfide at high concentration for a short period of time.  Chronic exposure to mercaptans may result in damage to the lungs, kidneysand liver.