Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

QUINESTROL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A steroidal sex hormone used therapeutically as an oestrogen; Given by mouth for the
treatment of menopausal and post- menopausal symptoms. For the supression of lactation.

SYNONYMS

C25-H32-O2, "19-nor-17alpha-pregna-1, 3, 5(10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol, (3-cyclopentyloxy)-",
"19-nor-17alpha-pregna-1, 3, 5(10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol, (3-cyclopentyloxy)-", "17alpha-
ethynylestradiol-3-cyclopentyl ether", "17alpha-ethynylestradiol-3-cyclopentyl ether", "3-
(cyclopentyloxy)-19-nor-17alpha-pregna-1, 3, 5(10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol", "3-
(cyclopentyloxy)-19-nor-17alpha-pregna-1, 3, 5(10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol", "estradiol-17beta
3-cyclopentyl ether", "estradiol-17beta 3-cyclopentyl ether", "17alpha-ethinylestradiol 3-
cyclopentyl ether", "17alpha-ethinylestradiol 3-cyclopentyl ether", "19-norpregn-1, 3,
5(10)-trien-20-yn-17-ol, 3-(cyclopentyloxy)-, (17alpha)-", "19-norpregn-1, 3, 5(10)-
trien-20-yn-17-ol, 3-(cyclopentyloxy)-, (17alpha)-", Agalacto-Quilea, Basaquines, EECPE,
Eston, Estrovis, Estrovis-4000, Estrovister, Plestrovis, Qui-Lea, W-3566, "oestrogen/
estrogen"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  The estrogens may produce dose-related nausea and vomiting, undesirable uterine growth, proliferation and withdrawal bleeding or loss of periods. It causes enlargement of the breasts in males. Other side effects include weight gain, swelling, breast tenderness, liver dysfunction, jaundice, depression, headache, and dizziness. Growth may be stunted due to premature closing of the growth plates. Skin reactions can include excess pigmentation of the face, rashes, and hives. Redness, itching and blistering has also been reported.  

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

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, 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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Long term administration of estrogens can greatly increase the risk of endometrial cancer,  especially after menopause. Males exposed can develop enlarged breasts and other feminizing effects, nipple pigmentation, withering of testicles, sterility, impotence and altered distribution of hair. Females exposed can develop breast enlargement and menstrual disorders and other effects on the reproductive system. Children born to exposed mothers can show breast enlargement in boys and early puberty in girls. Children who are themselves exposed may develop increased rate of bone maturation (leading to reduced final stature), strong pigmentation of the sexual organs and feminizing syndrome. Exposure before birth may be associated with limb defects and congenital heart deformities. Repeated swallowing can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, bowel inflammation, headache, dizziness, irritability, depression, general unwellness, involuntary jerky movements and convulsions. Swelling, weight change, increased blood pressure and risk of clotting, liver abnormalities, uremia have all been reported. Long-term users may also show an increased risk of developing gallstones, increased blood fats, acute pancreas inflammation and aggravation of porphyria. The eye may develop damage, increased corneal curvature with contact lens intolerance. Skin effects include itching, hives, inflammation, increased pigmentation, sensitivity to light, loss of scalp hair and hairiness. Allergic reactions include a red rash and jaundice. Susceptibility to Candida infections and changes to sex drive may occur. Application of estrogen-containing cream had produced breast enlargement.  When administered orally to mice, the congener, mestranol increased the  incidence of pituitary and malignant mammary tumours. Mestranol also  increased the incidence of malignant mammary tumours in female rats after  oral administration. In studies involving combination with progestins,  mestranol induced pituitary tumours, vaginal and cervical squamous cell  carcinomas and mammary tumours in mice. Rats with similar mixed exposure  developed benign tumours and malignant mammary tumours. Dogs developed  mammary cancers after mixed exposures. Subcutaneous injection of mestranol  and progestins induced cervical cancers and pituitary tumours in mice.  the use of oral contraceptives containing mestranol in combination with  progestins is associated with an increased incidence of benign liver  adenomas and a decreased incidence of benign breast disease, endometrial  cancer and ovarian cancer.