Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HELLEBOREIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Alkaloids from the rhizome of Veratrum album L. Liliaceae used in the treatment of
hypertension but generally thought to produce an unacceptable number of adverse effects

SYNONYMS

C37-H56-O18, "hellebore alkaloids", antihypertensive, "veratrum alkaloids"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to respiratory system.

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.  Swallowing of 0.75 to 1 gram of Veratrum alkaloids can result in stomach upset, slowing of heart rate, lightheadedness, and increased production of saliva; these develop within an hour and take up to 15 hours to resolve. Effects of veratrum alkaloids include severe nausea and vomiting, an intense burning sensation in the mouth and throat, burning in the abdominal region, sweating, mental confusion, irregularities in the heart beat, dizziness,  blurred vision and hiccupping. The pupils may dilate and fainting can occur. High doses can induce low blood pressure and depression of breathing. A massive overdose can cause severe cardiac effects (heart block), and rhythmic irregularities in the ventricles. In high doses, there may be muscular pain, "pins and needles", shock-like contractions of muscles and seizures. There is dilation of the blood vessels causing massive drops in blood pressure. Involuntary movements of the muscle may happen. Ingestion of the species Veratrum japonicum can cause visual disturbances in the form of colored spots.  

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).  Eye contact with veratrum alkaloids causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, tears, and redness, but these are temporary.  

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.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce serious health damage*.  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Veratrum alkaloids often cause violent sneezing if inhaled.  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.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Extracts of Veratrum californicum have been implicated in congenital limbmalformations of grazing sheep.