Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH ESCULIN IRON AGAR

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Microbiological testing.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Polysaccharides are not substantially absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but may produce a laxative effect. Larger doses may produce intestinal obstruction or stomach concretions.Large quantities of the substituted polysaccharide, methylcellulose (as with other bulk laxatives), may temporarily increase flatulence. Oesophageal obstruction, by swelling, may occur if the material is swallowed dry.Doses of 3-9 gm hydroxypropylcellulose, fed to human subjects, at least one week apart, were eliminated within 96 hours. Animals fed on diets containing 3% or less, experienced no adverse effects. Higher levels produced malnutrition due to excessive bulk but caused no organic damage. In one dog, an oral dose of hydroxypropylcellulose produced diarrhoea and blood cell depression.Ingestion of hetastarch (hydroxyethyl amylopectin) has reportedly produced fever, chills, urticaria and salivary gland enlargement. Several of these effects may be due to contamination by other naturally occurring macromolecules extracted from the source material. Large volumes of ingested hetastarch may interfere with coagulation mechanisms and increase the risk of haemorrhage. Anaphylaxis has occurred.Infusions of dextrans may occasionally produce allergic reactions such as urticaria,hypotension and bronchospasm. Severe anaphylactic reactions may occasionally occurand death may result from cardiac and respiratory arrest. Nausea, vomiting, fever, joint pains, and flushing may also occur. Similarly, allergic reactions, sometimes severe (but rare) have been reported following ingestion or inhalation of tragacanth gums.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  

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.  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 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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Dusts produced by proteins can sometimes sensitize workers like other foreign bodies. Symptoms include asthma appearing soon after exposure, with wheezing, narrowing of the airways and breathing difficulties. There may also be a chronic cough, phlegm, fever, muscle pains, fatigue and airway obstruction; chest X-rays may show a characteristic net-  like pattern or scarring at the tip and base. There may also be chest discomfort, headache, stomachache and a general feeling of unwellness. Often the clinical picture is similar to "farmer's lung" and other allergic lung inflammations. Prolonged contact with the skin can cause pain, redness, inflammation and ulceration. Repeated attacks can cause loss of lung function due to scarring.  Studies indicate that diets containing large amounts of non-absorbable polysaccharides, such as cellulose, might decrease absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus.  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 excessive intake of iron have been associated with damage to the liver and pancreas. People with a genetic disposition to poor control over iron are at an increased risk. Iron overload in men may lead to diabetes, joint inflammation, liver cancer, heart irregularities and problems with other organs.