Material Safety Data Sheet
PARAQUAT 250 HERBICIDE
Hazardous according to the criteria of NOHSC Australia.
Dangerous according to the Australian dangerous goods (ADG) code.
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER
Product trade name: 4Farmers PARAQUAT 250 Herbicide
Other names: similar to the product GRAMMOXONE庐 (Syngenta)
Recommended use: Rapid knockdown agricultural herbicide.
Company name & address: 4Farmers Pty. Ltd.
A.C.N 067 443 485
70 McDowell St, Welshpool, Western Australia, 6106.
Ph: (08) 9356 3445 Fax (08) 9356 3447
643 Murray Street, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005
Emergency telephone number: Australian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
1800 638 556 (24 hours)
2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Hazard classification: HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE. DANGEROUS GOODS.
Risk phrases: R20 Harmful by inhalation,
R24/25 Toxic in contact with skin/Toxic if swallowed,
R36/37/38 Irritating to eyes/respiratory system/skin,
R41 Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Safety phrases: S1/2 Keep locked up/away from children.
S13 Keep away from food, drink, and animal feeds.
S20/21 When using do not eat or drink/do not smoke.
S23 Do not breathe vapour or spray.
S24/25 Avoid contact with skin/eyes.
S36/37/39 Wear suitable protective clothing/gloves/eye/face protection.
S38 If insufficiently ventilated wear suitable respiratory equipment.
SUSDP Classification: S7
ADG Classification: 6.1 Bipyridilium pesticide, liquid, toxic.
UN Number: 3016
3. COMPOSITION
TWA (mg/m3) STEL (mg/m3)
Substance CAS Number % content
Paraquat (as dichloride) 1910-42-5 25 0.1
Pyridine 110-86-1 Low 16
Emetic Low
Water 7732-18-5 To 100
TWA 鈥? time weighted average airborne concentrations for an eight hour day for a five day week for a working
life.
STEL 鈥? short term exposure limit
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Skin contact: Immediately remove any contaminated clothing. Wash skin thoroughly 鈥? at least 15 mins
with soap and water. Seek immediate medical attention. (Clothing must be thoroughly washed before re-
use).
Eye contact: Immediately irrigate with running water for at least 15 mins (hold eyelids open). Seek
immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: Go to a doctor or hospital IMMEDIATELY. If possible phone ahead to alert to the
situation so treatment is not delayed on arrival. If more than 15 mins away, induce vomiting preferably
using Ipecac syrup.
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Material Safety Data Sheet
PARAQUAT 250 HERBICIDE
Inhalation: Remove from exposure. If vapour has been inhaled, lie patient down comfortably and keep
warm. Monitor closely and seek medical attention if effects persist. (Vapour consists of stanching agent
rather than paraquat).
If spray mist has been inhaled, immediately seek medical attention. Monitor patient closely
and apply resuscitation or oxygen if available. (Spray mist contains paraquat).
Note to doctor: Refer to "The Treatment of Paraquat Poisoning: A Guide for Doctors".
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Suitable extinguishing media: Water fog is preferred. Foam, dry powder, CO2 also suitable.
Unsuitable extinguishing media:
Special hazards in fire: Not combustible as formulated, but residue left after evaporation of water may
burn. Fumes are toxic.
Required special protective equipment for fire-fighters: Self contained breathing apparatus if exposed to
combustion products.
Hazchem code: None
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Emergency procedures: Wear protective equipment to prevent skin and eyes being affected.
Evacuate unprotected and unnecessary personnel from area of spill.
If material is leaking from a container, stop the leak only if this can be done safely.
Prevent spillage entering drains or watercourse.
Methods for containment & cleanup: Soil is a suitable absorbent, especially soils high in clay.
Soil can be used to form bunds to contain spillage.
Contaminated soil should be collected for disposal at a suitable landfill.
Contaminated area and tools should be washed down with hypochlorite bleach.
Personal protective equipment and clothing should be washed with soapy water.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: For use only by licensed pest-control operators and primary producers.
Keep away from food, drink, and animal feedstuff.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
Wear suitable Personal protective equipment when handling and spraying.
Storage: Store in the original container in a dry, cool, ventilated, LOCKED area.
DO NOT store in prolonged sunlight.
This is a Dangerous Good, UN 3016, Class 6.1 (Toxic substance). It should not be stored with
explosives, oxidising agents, corrosive substances, or nitromethane.
Storage of more than 1000L will require a license.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS
TWA: Paraquat 0.1 mg/m3, pyridine 5 ppm, 16 mg/m3. STEL not determined.
National exposure standards:
Biological limit values:
Engineering measures: Storage and handling areas to be well ventilated, with a dump shower available.
Spray only from an enclosed cabin, protected by a charcoal air filter.
Personal protection equipment:
Eye/face protection: Goggles or glasses to AS 1366, AS/NZS1337
Hand/skin protection: Overalls, PVC gloves and apron, face shield
Respiratory protection: Should not be necessary under normal conditions. If spray mist may be
encountered, a particulate filter to AS/NZS 1715 should be worn.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance: Dark blue liquid.
Odour: Offensive (pyridine as a warning stench).
pH: Slightly acidic.
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Material Safety Data Sheet
PARAQUAT 250 HERBICIDE
Vapour pressure: Negligible for Paraquat, product will have the VP of water.
Vapour density: N/A
100+ oC (water)
Boiling point/range:
approx 0 oC (water)
Melting/freezing point:
Solubility: Fully miscible with water.
Specific gravity - density: approx 1.1
Flashpoint: N/A
Explosive limits (air): N/A
Ignition temperature: N/A
Other:
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical stability: Stable under normal conditions.
High temperature (preferably < 30 oC).
Conditions to avoid:
Materials to avoid: Metal containers especially zinc, aluminium. This is a Dangerous Good, UN
3016, Class 6.1 (Toxic substance). It should not be stored with explosives, oxidising agents, corrosive
substances, or nitromethane.
Hazardous decomposition products: Should not decompose unless heated further after reaching
complete dryness. May then produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide and/or
hydrogen chloride.
Hazardous reactions: Will not explode, polymerise etc.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute toxicity: CAN KILL IF INJESTED. LD50 (paraquat) 150 mg/kg (rat), 鈮? 30 mg/kg man.
About 10 ml of product may be lethal. Kidney and liver damage may occur after 2-3 days. Lung fibrosis
after 1-3 weeks may cause death.
Higher doses may cause multi-organ failure and death within 2-3 days.
Chronic toxicity: No information, but may not be major. Paraquat is excreted rapidly. It is not
carcinogenic or teratogenic in rats.
Possible routes of exposure: Accidental spillage of concentrate or spray mix is a prime concern, as is
ingestion of concentrate. Inhalation of spray mist will cause irritation of nasal mucosa, but is unlikely to
reach lungs. Vapour pressure of paraquat is negligible.
Range of effects. Excessive exposure may affect human health as follows:
Skin contact: Intact skin is unlikely to absorb toxic doses of diluted spray. Undiluted product
and/or damaged skin presents a significant risk.
Eye contact: Any material in the eye presents a significant risk. Severe irritation may occur
resulting in extensive loss of superficial areas of the corneal and conjunctival epithelium, ulcerated
areas are at risk from secondary infection. Corneal oedema may persist for up to 3 to 4 weeks with
temporary blurring of vision.
Inhalation/ingestion:
Low dose (<20 mg paraquat ion per Kg body weight = 10mls of a 20 to 24% concentrate)
Patients are often asymptomatic or may develop vomiting or diarrhoea. Complete recovery
occurs but there may be a transient impairment of lung function tests.
Moderate dose (20 to 40 mg paraquat ion per Kg body weight = 10 to 20 mLs of 20 to 24%
concentrate)
Initially renal and hepatic dysfunction are common. Mucosal damage may become apparent with
sloughing of the mucous membranes in the mouth. Dyspnoea may develop after a few days in
the more severe cases. By about 10 days crepitations and radiological signs of lung damage
usually develop. Renal function often returns to normal at this stage. Massive pulmonary fibrosis
manifested by progressive dyspnoea may cause death between 2-4 weeks after ingestion.
High dose (> 40 mg paraquat ion per kg body weight = 20 mL of 20 to 24% concentrate)
Toxicity is much more severe and death occurs early (24-48 hrs) from multiple organ failure.
The initial gastrointestinal symptoms are similar but very severe with considerable fluid loss.
Renal failure, cardiac arrythmias, coma, convulsions, oesophageal perforation and death soon
follow.
(Source: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/pim399.htm)
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Material Safety Data Sheet
PARAQUAT 250 HERBICIDE
Dose/conc./conditions likely to cause injury: Ingestion of 10+ mls of product (skin absorption of a similar
amount is likely to have the same effects).
Delayed effects if any: Fatal lung damage may occur some weeks after an initial intake.
Relevant negative data: It is not carcinogenic or teratogenic in rats.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity:
Aquatic organisms: Paraquat is toxic to aquatic organisms, the formulated product possibly more so.
Flora: Non-toxic via soil (eg spillage). Spray drift will damage leaves of plants, but any
< 2-3 months old will recover.
Fauna: Little data, but is likely to be highly toxic to all mammals. Normal use will pose
little risk (the grazing WHP is 1 day).
Soil organisms: Little effect. Paraquat is rapidly and strongly adsorbed onto clay surfaces.
Bees: Not toxic.
Ozone effects: None recorded.
Persistence/degradation: Slowly degraded by soil micro-organisms.
Mobility: Immobile in soil. Soluble in water, but absorbed by suspended clay (mud).
Bio-accumulation potential: Low. Is either acutely toxic or rapidly excreted.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Product: Whenever possible, product should be used for its intended purpose, even if
reclaimed from spillage (reclaimed product must be uncontaminated).
Containers: Whenever possible, follow directions given on container.
If not available, triple or pressure rinse containers before disposal. Recycle containers if possible (replace
cap and return clean containers to recycler or designated collection point). Treat rinsings as for product
above.
If not recycling, break, crush or puncture and bury empty containers in a local authority landfill. If no
landfill is available, bury the containers below 500 mm in a disposal pit specifically marked and set up
for this purpose clear of waterways, desirable vegetation and tree roots. Empty containers and product
should not be burnt.
Sewage: Do not dispose of product or rinsings into sewage systems or septic tanks.
Absorbent material used for spillage collection should be buried in an approved landfill.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
UN Number: 3016
UN proper shipping name: BIPYRIDILLIUM PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC (CONTAINS PARAQUAT).
ADG Class & subsidiary risks: 6.1 Toxic
ADG Packing Group: 3
Special precautions: Do not load with explosives, nitromethane, oxidising agents, organic peroxides,
corrosive acids, food or food packaging.
Hazchem code: 2X
4Farmers does not anticipate that this product will be shipped by air or sea, nor be exported. Extra precautions
may apply if such transport is undertaken.
For shipping by air or sea, the UN Number, UN proper shipping name, ADG Class, and ADG Packing Group
listed above apply.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
This product is an Agricultural Pesticide (Herbicide) registered with APVMA (Agricultural Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority).
All ingredients are listed in the AICS (Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances) database.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Prepared December 2004
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