Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LEVONORGESTREL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A steroidal sex hormone and a potent inhibitor of ovulation; oestragenic therapeutic;
progestin.

SYNONYMS

C21-H28-O2, "norgestrel, levo-", "18, 19-dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 13-ethyl-17-
hydroxy-, (17alpha)-", "18, 19-dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-,
(17alpha)-", "(17alpha)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18, 19-dinorpreg-4-en-20-yn-3-one",
"(17alpha)-13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18, 19-dinorpreg-4-en-20-yn-3-one", "18, 19-dinor-17-alpha-
pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one-, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-", "18, 19-dinor-17-alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-
3-one-, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-", "13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18, 19-dinor-17alpha-preg-4-en-20-yn-
3-one", "13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-18, 19-dinor-17alpha-preg-4-en-20-yn-3-one", "18, 19-
dinorpregnenynone, 13alpha-17-hydroxy-", "18, 19-dinorpregnenynone, 13alpha-17-hydroxy-
", 18-methylnorethindrone, 18-methylnorethindrone, "norethindrone, 18-methyl-",
"norethindrone, 18-methyl-", D-(-)-13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethinyl-17beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-
one, D-(-)-13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethinyl-17beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, 13-beta-ethyl-
17alpha-ethinyl-17beta-hydroxygonenone, 13-beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethinyl-17beta-
hydroxygonenone, "18, 19-dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-, (17alpha)-(-
)-", "18, 19-dinorpregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one, 13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-, (17alpha)-(-)-", 17-
alpha-ethynyl-18-homo-19-nortestosterone, 17-alpha-ethynyl-18-homo-19-nortestosterone, 13-
beta-ethyl-17-alpha-ethynyl-17-beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, 13-beta-ethyl-17-alpha-ethynyl-
17-beta-hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, "progestin/ progesterone/ sex hormone"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.

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.  Progestogens cause gastrointestinal disturbances, acne, swelling, weight gain, skin rashes, hives, menal depression, breast changes with discomfort and occasionally enlargement in males, changes in sex drive, altered menstrual cycles or irregular menstrual bleeding. Liver abnormalities and jaundice have 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).  The dust may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  

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.  

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

  There is sufficient evidence to suggest that this materialdirectly causes cancer in humans.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Combined oral contraceptives appear to produce benign and malignant liver  tumours in humans.  Some progestogens have been associated with an increase in congenital abnormalities. Repeated intake of progesterones may produce headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth cavity with ulcers, swelling, weight change, fever, fatigue, increased or decreased sleep, mental depression, allergic rashes including hives and itching, acne, sensitivity to light, pigmented skin, hair loss, excessive hair growth, clotting and vein inflammation, obstructive jaundice, and precipitation of porphyria. Other symptoms may include menstrual disorders, breast changes, effects on the cervix, Candida infections of the vagina, decreased sex drive, and inhibition of sperm production. Exposure during the first trimester may produce mild masculinization of the external genitalia of the female fetus or defects in the male. Exposure to female sex hormones during the first trimester has also been associated with various birth defects of the cardiovascular system and bones.