Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LITHIUM OXALATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

C2-Li2-O4, "oxalic acid dilithium salt", "dilithium oxalate"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  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.  Soluble or solubilized oxalates act as severe corrosive agents within the alimentary tract and may be lethal as a result of severe gastroenteritis and secondary shock. Where gastrointestinal symptoms are absent (as is the case with dilute solutions) systemic effects may dominate resulting in muscle twitching, cramps, depression of respiratory and cardiac functions. Other symptoms of poisoning include vomiting (often bloody with coffee spots), pain, weak and irregular pulse, headache, stiffness, convulsions, stupor and coma. Kidney damage occurs, causing a reduction in frequency of urination, and also protein and blood in the urine.  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

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Oxalate ion is an irritant and may cause dermatitis. Following contact skin lesions may develop. Epithelial cracking and slow-healing ulceration may follow.They fingers may appears cyanotic.  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.  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Inhalation of soluble oxalates produces irritation of the respiratory tract. Systemic effects may include protein in the urine (albuminuria), ulceration of the mucous membranes, headaches, nervousness, cough, vomiting, emaciation, back pain (due to kidney injury) and weakness.  Inhalation of soluble oxalates over a long period of time might result in weight loss and respiratory tract inflammation.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Exposure to the material may cause concerns for human fertility, on the basis that similar materials provide some evidence of impaired fertility in the absence of toxic effects, or evidence of impaired fertility occurring at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects, but which are not a secondary non-specific consequence of other toxic effects..  Chronic exposure to oxalates may result in circulatory failure or nervous system irregularities may follow prolonged calcium metabolism due to oxalation.  Prolonged and severe exposure can cause chronic cough, albuminuria, vomiting, pain in the back and gradual emaciation and weakness. Prolonged or repeated overexposure may result in delayed liver and/or kidney damage.  Certain rare individuals are subject to oxalosis (deposition of oxalates in the kidneys) and are unusually reactive to any exposure.  Rats administered oxalic acid at 2.5 and 5% in the diet for 70 days developed depressed thyroid function and weight loss. A study of railroad car cleaners in Norway who were heavily exposed to oxalic acid solutions and vapors revealed a 53% prevalence of urolithiasis (the formation of urinary stones), compared to a rate of 12% among unexposed workers from the same company.  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.