Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LABDANUM OIL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Essential oil extracted from the resin of Cistus spp.

SYNONYMS

"oil of labdanum", "Cistus creticus oil", "Cistus landaniferus oil", "European rock rose
oil", "essential oil", "natural product", "ambergris substitute", "labdanum resinoid",
"labdanum absolute"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Essential oils cause mild irritation of the mouth if taken orally, causing more saliva to be produced and a warm feeling. Large amounts affect the digestive system causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes urination may be affected, causing difficulty or pain in urinating, reduced urine output, blood in the urine, unconsciousness and shallow breathing. Lung swelling and inflammation are possible complications. Stupor, excitement and respiratory failure may result, as well as convulsions; the central nervous system may either be depressed or stimulated. The kidneys may be damaged, and swelling and severe clogging can occur in the lungs, skin and kidneys. Essential oils increase the rate of miscarriage, but in low doses do not usually cause an abortion.  

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).  

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.  May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.  The liquid may produce skin discomfort following prolonged contact. Defatting and/or drying of the skin may lead to dermatitis.  Essential oils irritate the skin and redden it, causing at first warmth and smarting, followed by some local loss of sensation. They have been used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions and to relieve neuralgia and rheumatic pain. Care should be taken to avoid blistering; these oils may also produce sensitization.  Contact allergies quickly manifest themselves as contact eczema, more rarely as urticaria or Quincke's edema. The pathogenesis of contact eczema involves a cell-mediated (T lymphocytes) immune reaction of the delayed type. Other allergic skin reactions, e.g. contact urticaria, involve antibody-mediated immune reactions. The significance of the contact allergen is not simply determined by its sensitization potential: the distribution of the substance and the opportunities for contact with it are equally important. A weakly sensitizing substance which is widely distributed can be a more important allergen than one with stronger sensitizing potential with which few individuals come into contact. From a clinical point of view, substances are noteworthy if they produce an allergic test reaction in more than 1% of the persons tested.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Inhalation of vapor may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition.  Inhalation of essential oil volatiles may cause dizziness, rapid, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, respiratory irritation, loss of consciousness or convulsions. Urination may stop, and there may be swelling and inflammation of the lungs.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of vapor.  No human exposure data available. For this reason health effects described are based on experience with chemically related materials.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.