MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

This product is classified as: Not classified as hazardous according to the criteria of NOHSC Australia.
Not a Dangerous Good according to the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.

Substance:                         Simazine is a 1,3,5-triazine derivative and amitrole is a triazole derivative.
Trade Name:                      Courtyard & Paving Weeder
Product Use:                       Domestic herbicide for use as described on the product label.
Creation Date:                    August, 2002
Revision Date:                    August, 2002

Ingredients                                                                                                      

                                                                 
This is a commercial product whose exact ratio of components may vary slightly. Minor quantities of other non hazardous ingredients are also possible.                                                     

The TWA exposure value is the average airborne concentration of a particular substance when calculated over a normal 8 hour working day for a 5 day working week. The STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit) is an exposure value that should not be exceeded for more than 15 minutes and should not be repeated for more than 4 times per day. There should be at least 60 minutes between successive exposures at the STEL. The term "peak "is used when the TWA limit, because of the rapid action of the substance, should never be exceeded, even briefly

Risk Phrases: Not Hazardous - No criteria found.

Safety Phrases: Not Hazardous - No criteria found.

SUSDP Classification: S5

ADG Classification: None allocated. Not a Dangerous Good.

UN Number: None allocated

Emergency Overview

Physical Description & colour: Off white to cream coloured liquid.

Odour: Mild odour.

Major Health Hazards: The triazine herbicides disturb energy metabolism (thiamin and riboflavin functions). Symptoms include difficulty in walking, tremor, convulsions, paralysis, cyanosis, slowed respiration, miosis (pinpoint pupils), gut pain, diarrhea, and impaired adrenal function. No cases of poisoning in humans have been reported from ingestion of Simazine.
Amitrole has a very low acute toxicity to humans and animals.

Potential Health Effects
See section 11 for Chronic exposure studies.

Inhalation

Short term exposure: Available data indicates that this product is not harmful. However product is unlikely to cause any discomfort or irritation.
Skin Contact:

Short term exposure: Available data indicates that this product is not harmful. It should present no hazards in normal use. However product may be irritating, but is unlikely to cause anything more than mild transient discomfort.

Eye Contact:

Short term exposure: Available data shows that this product is not harmful. However product may be irritating to eyes, but is unlikely to cause anything more than mild transient discomfort.

Ingestion:

Short term exposure: Available data shows that this product is not harmful. This product is unlikely to cause any irritation problems in the short or long term.

Carcinogen Status:
NOHSC: Amitrole is classed by NOHSC as being possibly carcinogenic to humans.
NTP: Amitrole is classed by NTP as reasonably anticipated to be a Human carcinogen.
IARC: Simazine is Class 3 - unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans.
Amitrole is classed by IARC as being possibly carcinogenic to humans.

General Information:

You should call The Poisons Information Centre if you feel that you may have been poisoned, burned or irritated by this product. The number is 13 1126 from anywhere in Australia and is available at all times. Have this MSDS with you when you call.
Inhalation: First aid is not generally required. If in doubt, contact a Poisons Information Centre or a doctor.
Skin Contact: Irritation is unlikely. However, if irritation does occur, flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes or until chemical is removed.
Eye Contact: No effects expected. If irritation does occur, flush contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes or until the product is removed.
Ingestion: First aid is not generally required. If in doubt, contact a Poisons Information Centre or a doctor.

Fire and Explosion Hazards: There is no risk of an explosion from this product under normal circumstances if it is involved in a fire.

Fire decomposition products from this product may be toxic if inhaled. Take appropriate protective measures.

This product is likely to decompose only after heating to dryness, followed by further strong heating.

Extinguishing Media: Not Combustible. Use extinguishing media suited to burning materials.

Fire Fighting:

Flash point: Does not burn.                        
Upper Flammability Limit:  Does not burn.                        
Lower Flammability Limit:  Does not burn.                     
Auto ignition temperature:  Does not burn.                        
Flammability Class:    Does not burn.                    

Accidental release: In the event of a major spill, prevent spillage from entering drains or water courses. As a minimum, wear overalls, goggles and gloves. Suitable materials for protective clothing include rubber, PVC. Stop leak if safe to do so, and contain spill. Absorb onto sand, vermiculite or other suitable absorbent material. If spill is too large or if absorbent material is not available, try to create a dike to stop material spreading or going into drains or waterways. Avoid using sawdust or other combustible material. Sweep up and shovel or collect recoverable product into labelled containers for recycling or salvage, and dispose of promptly. After spills, wash area preventing runoff from entering drains. If a significant quantity of material enters drains, advise emergency services. Full details regarding disposal of used containers, spillage and unused material may be found on the label. If there is any conflict between this MSDS and the label, instructions on the label prevail. Ensure legality of disposal by consulting regulations prior to disposal. Thoroughly launder protective clothing before storage or re-use. Advise laundry of nature of contamination when sending contaminated clothing to laundry.

Handling: Keep exposure to this product to a minimum, and minimise the quantities kept in work areas. Check Section 8 of this MSDS for details of personal protective measures, and make sure that those measures are followed. The measures detailed below under "Storage" should be followed during handling in order to minimise risks to persons using the product in the workplace. Also, avoid contact or contamination of product with incompatible materials listed in Section 10.

Storage: This product is a Scheduled Poison. Observe all relevant regulations regarding sale, transport and storage of this class of poison. Store packages of this product in a cool place. Make sure that the product does not come into contact with substances listed under "Materials to avoid" in Section 10. Some liquid preparations settle or separate on standing and may require stirring before use. Check packaging - there may be further storage instructions on the label.

The following Australian Standards will provide general advice regarding safety clothing and equipment:
Respiratory equipment: AS/NZS 1715, Protective Gloves: AS 2161, Industrial Clothing: AS2919, Industrial Eye Protection: AS1336 and AS/NZS 1337, Occupational Protective Footwear: AS/NZS2210.
Exposure Limits                        TWA (mg/m³)               STEL (mg/m³)

Amitrole                                             0.2                        not set
The ADI for Simazine is set at 0.005mg/kg/day. The corresponding NOEL is set at 0.5mg/kg/day.
The ADI for Amitrole is set at 0.0003mg/kg/day. The corresponding NOEL is set at 0.025mg/kg/day. ADI means Acceptable Daily Intake and NOEL means No-observable-effect-level. Values taken from Australian ADI List, January 2001.
Ventilation: No special ventilation requirements are normally necessary for this product. However make sure that the work environment remains clean and that dusts are minimised.
Eye Protection: Eye protection such as protective glasses or goggles is recommended when this product is being used.
Skin Protection: You should avoid contact even with mild skin irritants. Therefore you should wear suitable impervious elbow-length gloves and facial protection when handling this product. See below for suitable material types.
Protective Material Types: We suggest that protective clothing be made from the following materials: rubber, PVC.
Respirator: Usually, no respirator is necessary when using this product. However, if you have any doubts consult the Australian Standard mentioned above.

Physical Description & colour: Off white to cream coloured liquid.                                     

Odour: Mild odour.                       

Boiling Point:  Approximately 100°C at 100kPa.                      

Freezing/Melting Point: Approximately 0°C.                       

Volatiles:   Water component.                      

Vapour Pressure:  2.37 kPa at 20°C (water vapour pressure)                       .

Vapour Density:  No data.                      

Specific Gravity: 1.03 approx                       

Water Solubility: Completely soluble in water                        .

pH:   No data.                     

Volatility:  No data.                      

Odour Threshold: No data.                       

Evaporation Rate: No data.                       

Coeff Oil/water distribution:  No data                     

Reactivity: This product is unlikely to react or decompose under normal storage conditions. However, if you have any doubts, contact the supplier for advice on shelf life properties.

Conditions to Avoid: None known.

Incompatibilities: No particular incompatibilities.

Fire Decomposition: Carbon dioxide, and if combustion is incomplete, carbon monoxide and smoke. Nitrogen and its compounds, and under some circumstances, oxides of nitrogen. Occasionally hydrogen cyanide gas. Oxides of sulfur (sulfur dioxide is a respiratory hazard) and other sulfur compounds. Most will have a foul odour. Water. Carbon monoxide poisoning produces headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, confusion, dimness of vision, disturbance of judgment, and unconsciousness followed by coma and death. Hydrogen cyanide poisoning signs and symptoms are weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, coma, convulsions, and death. Death results from respiratory arrest. Hydrogen cyanide gas acts very rapidly; symptoms and death can both occur quickly.

Polymerisation: This product is unlikely to undergo polymerisation processes.

Toxicity:  Simazine

Acute toxicity: Simazine is slightly to practically non-toxic. The reported oral LD₅₀ for technical Simazine in rats and mice is >5000 mg/kg  ; its dermal LD₅₀ is 3100 mg/kg in rats and > 10,000 mg/kg in rabbits. The 4-hour inhalation LC50 in rats is greater than 2 mg/L. The formulated products, in most cases, are less toxic via all routes. Simazine is no irritating to the skin and eyes of rabbits except at high doses. Patch tests on humans have shown that Simazine is not a skin irritant, fatiguing agent, or sensitiser. However, rashes and dermatitis from occupational exposure to Simazine have occurred. The triazine herbicides disturb energy metabolism (thiamine and riboflavin functions). Symptoms include difficulty in walking, tremor, convulsions, paralysis, cyanosis, slowed respiration, miosis (pinpoint pupils), gut pain, diarrhoea, and impaired adrenal function. No cases of poisoning in humans have been reported from ingestion of Simazine. Rats given an oral dose of 5000 mg/kg exhibited drowsiness and irregular breathing. In another study, a single oral dose of 4200 mg/kg produced anorexia, weight loss, and some deaths in rats within 4 to 10 days. For unknown reasons, sheep and cattle are especially susceptible to poisoning by Simazine. Doses of 500 mg/kg were fatal in sheep with death delayed for 5 to 16 days. Symptoms exhibited by poisoned sheep included lower food intake, higher water intake, incoordination, tremors, and weakness, especially in the hindquarters.

Chronic toxicity: Some 90-day feeding studies showed reduced body weight at 67 to 100 mg/kg/day. This same effect and kidney toxicity were seen in rats at doses of 150 mg/kg/day. In 2-year chronic oral feeding studies in which rats were given daily dosages of 5 mg/kg/day of Simazine in the diet, no gross or microscopic signs of toxicity were seen. When rats were given repeated doses of 15 mg/kg/day, some liver cells degenerated during the first 3 days, but the condition did not progress. Instead, the liver adapted and the compound was metabolised. Other effects observed in test animals include tremors, damage to the testes, kidneys, liver, and thyroid, disturbances in sperm production, and gene mutations.

Reproductive effects: No adverse effects on reproductive capacity or development were observed in a three-generation study of rats fed 5 mg/kg/day Simazine. High rates of foetotoxicity and decreased birth weight were noted in the foetuses of pregnant rabbits fed 75 mg/kg/day. Reproductive effects are not likely in humans under normal circumstances.

Teratogenic effects: No dose-related teratogenic effects were observed when rabbits were given daily doses of 5, 75, or 200 mg/kg for days 7 through 19 of pregnancy. Chronic inhalation of a cumulative dose of 0.3 mg/L for 8 days in pregnant rats resulted in no treatment-related developmental abnormalities. Simazine does not appear to be teratogenic.

Mutagenic effects: Simazine has shown negative results in a variety of mutagenicity tests on bacterial cultures. Tests on human lung cell cultures have produced both positive and negative results. When injected into adult male fruit flies, Simazine increased the frequency of sex-linked lethal mutations, but failed to do so when fed to larvae. Other tests for mutagenicity in fruit flies were negative. It is likely that Simazine is either non-mutagenic or weakly mutagenic.

Carcinogenic effects: Simazine was not tumorigenic in mice at the maximum tolerated dose of 215 mg/kg/day over an 18-month period. In other studies, doses as low as 5 mg/kg/day produced excess tumours (thyroid and mammary) in female rats. Because of inconsistencies in the data, it is not possible to determine Simazine's carcinogenic status.

Organ toxicity: Damage to the testes, kidneys, liver, and thyroid has been observed in test animals.

Fate in humans and animals: Studies in rats, goats, and sheep reveal that 60 to 70% of the ingested dose may be absorbed into the system, with approximately 5 to 10% distributed systemically to tissues. The remainder is eliminated via urine within 24 hours. Distribution led to detectable levels in red blood cells (highest), liver, kidney, fat, bone, and plasma. When a cow was fed 5 ppm for 3 days, no Simazine was found in the cow's milk during the next 3 days. It has been reported that Simazine residues were present in the urine of sheep for up to 12 days after administration of a single oral dose. The maximum concentration in the urine occurred from 2 to 6 days after administration.
Amitrole:

Carcinogenic effects: Amitrole has induced thyroid and liver tumours in rats and mice after lifetime high dose exposures.

Organ toxicity: Animal studies have shown that amitrole's main effects are on the thyroid and liver.

Effects on birds: Simazine is practically non-toxic to birds. The reported LD₅₀ values in mallard and Japanese quail are >4600 mg/kg and 1785 mg/kg, respectively. The acute dietary LD₅₀ values in hens and pigeons are both greater than 5000 ppm. The 8-day dietary LC₅₀ in bobwhite quail is >5260 ppm and in mallard ducks is >10,000 ppm.

Effects on aquatic organisms: Simazine is slightly to practically non-toxic to aquatic species. The 96-hour LC₅₀ for Simazine is >100 mg/L   in rainbow trout, 100 mg/L (wettable powder) in bluegill sunfish, 0.100 mg/L in fathead minnows, as well as carp. It may be more toxic to Daphnia and stoneflies. A 96-hour LC₅₀ of >3.7 mg/L is reported in oysters.

Effects on other organisms: While many mammals may be insensitive to Simazine, sheep and cattle are especially sensitive. Simazine is non-toxic to bees. A soil LC₅₀ in earthworms of >1000 mg/kg has been reported.
Amitrole inhibits the growth of bacteria. It is non-toxic to bees.

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Simazine is moderately persistent with an average field half-life of 60 days. Soil half-lives of 28-149 days have been reported. Residual activity may remain for a year after application (2 to 4 kg/ha) in high pH soils. Simazine is moderately to poorly bound to soils. It does, however, adsorb to clays and mucks. Its low water solubility, however, makes it less mobile, limiting its leaching potential. Simazine has little, if any, lateral movement in soil, but can be washed along with soil particles in runoff. Simazine is subject to decomposition by ultraviolet radiation, but this effect is small under normal field conditions. Loss from volatilisation is also insignificant. In soils, microbial activity probably accounts for decomposition of a significant amount of Simazine in high pH soils. In lower pH soils, hydrolysis will occur. Simazine residues have been detected in groundwater in at least 16 states. The range was from 0.00002 mg/L to 0.0034 mg/L.

Amitrole has a moderate potential for groundwater contamination because it does not adsorb strongly to soil particles and is readily soluble in water.

Breakdown in water: The average half-life of Simazine in ponds where it has been applied is 30 days, with the actual half-life dependent on the level of algae present, the degree of weed infestation, and other factors. Simazine may undergo hydrolysis at lower pH. It does not readily undergo hydrolysis in water at pH = 7.

Degradation of amitrole in open waters may occur through oxidation by other chemicals.

Breakdown in vegetation: Plants absorb Simazine mainly through the roots, with little or no foliar penetration. From the roots, it is translocated upward to the stems, leaves, and growing shoots of the plant. It acts to inhibit photosynthesis. Resistant plants readily metabolise Simazine. Plants that are sensitive to Simazine accumulate it unchanged. It is possible that livestock or wildlife grazing on these plants could be poisoned.

Amitrole is readily absorbed and rapidly translocated in the roots and leaves of higher plants. But, plants are able to metabolise amitrole in 1 to 4 weeks. Amitrole residues were not detected in crops planted into soil 1 to 50 days after treatment with amitrole.

Disposal: Instructions concerning the disposal of this product and its containers are given on the product label. These should be carefully followed.

ADG Code: This product is not classified as a Dangerous Good. No special transport conditions are necessary unless required by other regulations.

AICS: All of the significant ingredients in this formulation are to be found in the public AICS Database.

Much of the Information in this MSDS came from Extoxnet, a Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University.

This MSDS contains only safety-related information. For other data see product literature.

Acronyms:

ADG Code                                    Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail

AICS                                            Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances

CAS number                                Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number

Hazchem Number        Emergency action code of numbers and letters that provide information to emergency services especially fire-fighters

IARC                                            International Agency for Research on Cancer

NOHSC                                         National Occupational Health and Safety Commission

NOS                                             Not otherwise specified

NTP                                              National Toxicology Program (USA)

R-Phrase                                      Risk Phrase

SUSDP                                         Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs & Poisons

UN Number                                  United Nations Number

Please read all labels carefully before using product.

This MSDS copyright © Kilford & Kilford Pty Ltd, August, 2002 .  
Revised July 2007

http://www.kilford.com.au/ Phone (02)9516 2079