CHAPTER 6 - SAFETY DATA

ABSOLUTE ETHANOL: is a flammable liquid and should never be handled close to heat or naked flame. The vapour is heavier than air and can travel for a considerable distance along the ground to a source of ignition and flash back. Ethanol is regarded as one of the safest industrial solvents because although it possesses narcotic properties, vapour concentrations sufficient to produce narcosis are rarely, if ever, reached in a medical laboratory. Ethanol is rapidly oxidised in the body to carbon dioxide and water and does not produce permanent damage to the central nervous system.

ACETIC ACID: is a corrosive substance and will cause severe damage to exposed skin. Ingestion will cause dental erosion, bronchitis and respiratory difficulties. It is an eye and mucous membrane irritant.

EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 5; INHALED - Code 14; INGESTED - Code 20

CALCIUM CHLORIDE: is a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant and is moderately toxic when ingested. It is hygroscopic and prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis.

CETYLPYRIDINIUM CHLORIDE: will irritate eyes and the respiratory tract and is toxic when inhaled or ingested.

CHLOROFORM: is an animal and probable human carcinogen. It is an embryotoxin and should never be handled during pregnancy. The vapour and solution are highly toxic by all routes of exposure including the skin. It is an anaesthetic and a skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant. It affects the central nervous system and may cause liver and kidney damage. Death can result from cardiac arrest. Ingestion of alcohol enhances the toxicity of chloroform. Persons with a pre-existing liver, kidney or heart disease may be at increased risk from exposure.

DISODIUM HYDROGEN ORTHOPHOSPHATE: is a toxic substance and can be absorbed into the body by inhalation or ingestion. It is an eye and skin irritant. Inhalation or ingestion may cause sore throat, coughing and abdominal pain. Eye and skin contact may cause redness and pain.

FORMALDEHYDE: is a moderately flammable liquid when exposed to heat or a naked flame. It is an animal carcinogen, a strong eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant and skin sensitiser. Death has been reported in workers exposed to high levels of formalin vapour.

EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 16; INGESTED - Code 24

GLUTARALDEHYDE: is a toxic substance. It is a skin and mucous membrane irritant and can enter the body by inhalation of the vapour, ingestion of the liquid or absorption through the skin, where it may cause allergic reactions. It affects the central nervous system and significant exposure has resulted in unconsciousness.

LEAD ACETATE: is a mild eye and skin irritant. It is toxic by inhalation or ingestion and the effects are cumulative. Symptoms of acute poisoning are red cell fragility, anaemia, anorexia, vomiting, malaise and convulsions. Chronic symptoms include fatigue, constipation, sleep disturbances, aching bones and muscles, abdominal pain, loss of appetite. Central nervous system and kidney damage may result in death. Lead nitrate is a potential carcinogen and teratogen.

LEAD NITRATE: is a mild eye and skin irritant. It is toxic by inhalation or ingestion and the effects are cumulative. Symptoms of acute poisoning are red cell fragility, anaemia, anorexia, vomiting, malaise and convulsions. Chronic symptoms include fatigue, constipation, sleep disturbances, aching bones and muscles, abdominal pain, loss of appetite. Central nervous system and kidney damage may result in death. Lead nitrate is a potential carcinogen and teratogen.

MERCURIC CHLORIDE: is toxic and corrosive and may be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion or through the skin. It can cause blurred vision, sore throat, metallic taste, coughing, shortness of breath and laboured breathing. Its toxic effects are cumulative and large doses which affect the kidneys and the central nervous system can be fatal.

PARAFORMALDEHYDE: the dust is a strong eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant and skin sensitiser. Eye contact will cause burns to the cornea. It is highly toxic when inhaled or ingested.

EYES - Code 3; SKIN - Code 12; INHALED - Code 16; INGESTED - Code 24

PICRIC ACID: is a strong oxidising agent which reacts violently with combustible materials and reducing agents. It is toxic and can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of the vapour or ingestion of the liquid. It is an eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant, a neurotoxin and can cause convulsions. The powder is explosive when dry and should therefore always be stored under water in a container with a cork stopper.

POTASSIUM CHLORATE: is a strong oxidising agent and can be explosive. It is a strong eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant and is toxic by inhalation or ingestion causing methaemoglobinaemia and kidney damage.

POTASSIUM DICHROMATE: is a known carcinogen and must be handled with great care. It is a strong oxidising agent and contact with combustible materials may cause fire. It is corrosive and will cause permanent damage to eyes and skin. Frequent exposure of the skin to dust can cause ulceration. Inhalation and ingestion may cause permanent kidney and liver damage, especially if contact is prolonged.

SODIUM ACETATE: is moderately toxic by ingestion and is an eye, skin and mucous membrane irritant. Acute exposure to the eyes may cause redness, pain and irritation. Inhalation may cause coughing, dyspnoea and respiratory distress. Ingestion may cause nausea, sore throat, coughing and abdominal pain.

SODIUM CHLORIDE: is a skin and eye irritant. It produces dehydration and will irritate the stomach if ingested in large amounts. Large quantities of sodium chloride ingested over a long period of time has caused defects in new born laboratory animals.

SODIUM DIHYDROGEN ORTHOPHOSPHATE: is an eye and respiratory tract irritant. There is only slight toxicity if ingested, however, large amounts may cause metabolic disturbances.

SODIUM HYDROXIDE: causes severe burns which heal slowly. A liquid splash to the eye can cause blindness. It will cause severe damage to all mucous membranes and is toxic when ingested.

SODIUM SULPHATE: is mildly toxic and an eye and respiratory tract irritant. In the presence of water it produces sulphuric acid and is corrosive. Avoid getting dust or powder in the eye or on moist skin.

TRICHLORACETIC ACID: is a strong acid and very corrosive when it is dissolved in water. Eye and skin contact will cause redness, pain and localised burns. Inhalation will cause sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and laboured breathing. It may also cause lung oedema, serious cases may prove fatal. Ingestion will cause sore throat, abdominal pain and vomiting.