Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

· Material is mixed and used in accordance with manufacturers directions. Dry laundry
bleach, swimming pool sanitising agent. Intermediate

SYNONYMS

Cl-O-Li, Cl-O-Li, LiOCl, "hyperchlorous acid", "lithium salt hypochloride", "lithium pool
chlorine chemical"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
Harmful if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

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.  Ingestion of hypochlorites may cause burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain and inflammation of the mouth and stomach, fall of blood pressure, shock, confusion, and delirium. Severe poisonings may lead to convulsion, coma and death. Ingestion irritates the mouth, throat, and stomach. The hypochlorous acid liberated in the stomach can cause wall perforation, toxemia, haemorrhage and death.  Necrosis and haemorrhage of the upper digestive tract, oedema and pulmonary emphysema were found on autopsy after suicidal ingestion, and methaemoglobinaemia was also reported in another fatal case.  Lithium, in large doses, can cause dizziness and weakness. If a low salt diet is in place,  kidney damage can result. There may be dehydration, weight loss, skin effects and thyroid disturbances. Central nervous system effects include slurred speech, blurred vision, numbness, inco-ordination and convulsions. Repeated exposure can cause diarrhea, vomiting,  tremor, muscle jerks and very brisk reflexes.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  Eye contact with a 5% hypochlorite solution may produce a temporary burning discomfort and slight irritation of the corneal epithelium with no injury.  Hypochlorite in pool water at concentrations of 1 ppm chlorine or less is non irritating to eyes if the pH is higher than 7.2 (slightly alkaline); At lower pH sensation of stinging, smarting of eyes with transient reddening may occur but generally no injury.  

SKIN

  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Solution of material in moisture on the skin, or perspiration, may markedly increase skin corrosion and accelerate tissue destruction.  Contact may cause severe itchiness, skin lesions and mild eczema.  A 5.25% solution of sodium hypochlorite applied to intact human skin for 4 hours and observed at 4, 24 and 48 hours resulted in exudation an slight sloughing of the skin on 4 of 7 subjects.  Two patients were reported with chronic allergic dermatitis of the hand related to sensitisation to sodium hypochlorite as the active component of laundry bleach.  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 can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  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.  Chlorine vapour is extremely irritating to the upper respiratory tract and lungs  Symptoms of exposure to chlorine include coughing, choking, breathing difficulty, chest pain, headache, vomiting, pulmonary oedema. Inhalation may cause lung congestion, bronchitis and loss of consciousness. Effects may be delayed. Delayed effects of exposure to chlorine vapour can include shortness of breath, violent headaches, pulmonary oedema and pneumonia.  Earlier reports suggested that concentrations around 5 ppm chlorine caused respiratory complaints, corrosion of the teeth, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis in chronically-exposed workers. Recent studies have not confirmed these findings. Concentrations too low to effect the lower respiratory tract may however irritate the eyes, nose and throat.  Amongst 29 volunteers exposed at 0.5, 1 or 2 ppm chlorine for 4 to 8 hours the following responses were recorded: itching or burning of the nose, itching or burning of the throat,  production of tears, urge to cough, runny nose, nausea, headache, general discomfort, dizziness, drowsiness and shortness of breath.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic problems.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  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.  Reduced respiratory capacity may result from chronic low level exposure to chlorine gas. Chronic poisoning may result in coughing, severe chest pains, sore throat and haemoptysis (bloody sputum). Moderate to severe exposures over 3 years produced decreased lung capacity in a number of workers.  Delayed effects can include shortness of breath, violent headaches, pulmonary oedema and pneumonia.  Amongst chloralkali workers exposed to mean concentrations of 0.15 ppm for an average of 10.9 years a generalised pattern of fatigue (exposures of 0.5 ppm and above) and a modest increased incidence of anxiety and dizziness were recorded. Leukocytosis and a lower haematocrit showed some relation to exposure.  Lithium, in large doses, can cause dizziness and weakness. If a low salt diet is in place,  kidney damage can result. There may be dehydration, weight loss, skin effects and thyroid disturbances. Central nervous system effects include slurred speech, blurred vision, numbness, inco-ordination and convulsions. Repeated exposure can cause diarrhea, vomiting,  tremor, muscle jerks and very brisk reflexes.  Lithium compounds can affect the nervous system and muscle. This can cause tremor, inco-  ordination, spastic jerks and very brisk reflexes. They may cause birth defects and should not be used when pregnancy is suspected. They are effective in treating manic episodes of bipolar disorder. Restricting sodium in the diet increases the risks of taking lithium.  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.