TYPES OF
HAZARD/
EXPOSURE |
ACUTE
HAZARDS/
CLINICAL SIGNS/
SYMPTOMS |
PREVENTION/
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT |
FIRST
AID/
FIRE FIGHTING |
FIRE |
N/A
|
Avoid generating dust. |
Foam, dry chemical powder, BCF (where
regulations permit), carbon dioxide, water spray or
fog - large fires only. |
EXPLOSION |
N/A |
N/A
|
N/A |
ROUTE OF
EXPOSURE |
Synopsis: |
Extremely Toxic. May be Fatal.
Ricin (and Abrin) cause toxicity by inhibition
of protein synthesis.
May cause severe allergic reactions. |
AVOID ALL CONTACT.
STRICT HYGIENE!
May adhere to skin or clothing.
|
Seek medical attention immediately. |
Inhalation: |
May cause severe lung damage in humans
(based on reports of exposure in animals.) Repeated
exposure in humans is known to cause allergic/asthma-like
symptoms including congestion of the nose and throat,
itchyness of the eyes, hives, tightness of the chest,
and in severe cases, wheezing.
(See Ingestion for other symptoms.) |
Pressure demand, self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) (SCBA CBRN, if available) is recommended
in response to non-routine emergency situations.
Breath Response (pressure demand) HEPA PAPR
See CDC/NIOSH
Interim Recommendations.
|
Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position.
If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Perform
CPR if necessary.
Seek medical attention immediately. |
Skin: |
Potential for allergic skin reaction;
redness, blisters, pain.
May be absorbed! |
Tychem® BR or Responder® CSM protective
clothing. Eyes should be protected when possible.
|
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse
skin with plenty of water or shower (and soap if available).
Seek medical attention immediately.
|
Eyes: |
Tearing, swelling of the eye-lids,
pain, redness, corneal injury.
|
Goggles with respiratory protection
or full face-piece respirator.
|
Immediately flush with large amounts
of tepid water for at least 15 minutes.
Seek medical attention immediately.
|
Ingestion: |
Symptoms are rapid in onset (generally
less than a few hours) following ingestion.
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramping.
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Low or no urinary output
- Dilation of the Pupils
- Fever
- Thirst
- Sore Throat
- Headache
- Vascular collapse and shock
|
Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
Wash hands before eating. |
May be fatal. However, the death rate
even among symptomatic patients is generally low. Do not
induce vomiting. Rinse mouth. Use slurry of activated
charcoal. If individual is drowsy or unconscious, do not
give anything by mouth. In the event of vomiting, lean
patient forward or place on left side (head-down position,
if possible) to maintain open airway and prevent aspiration.
Early and aggressive IV fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Seek medical attention immediately. |
|
OCCUPATIONAL
EXPOSURE LIMITS (OELs) |
OSHA
PEL: N/A
NIOSH REL: N/A
ACGIH TLV: N/A
ChemWatch: Ceiling: 0.00006 (sensitizer) mg/m3
NIOSH IDLH: N/A
|
SAMPLING
AND ANALYTICAL METHODS |
NIOSH: N/A
OSHA: N/A |
| |
DECONTAMINATION |
Patient/Victim:
Wash with soap and water. Work clothes should be laundered
separately. Launder contaminated clothing before re-use.
Do not take clothing home.
Equipment: N/A
Environment: Use dry clean up procedures
(e.g. hepa vacuum) and avoid generating dust. (see
Spillage Disposal.)
|
SPILLAGE
DISPOSAL |
Polyethylene or polypropylene
container.
Keep containers securely sealed when not in use.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area and away from
food stuff containers.
|
PACKAGING & LABELLING
|
UN#: 3172
(GUIDE 153)
|
| Proper Shipping Name:
N/A |
| Hazard Class: 6.1(a) |
| Packing Group: I |
NFPA 704 Signal:
Health - N/A
Flammability - N/A
Reactivity - N/A
Special - N/A |
| |
IMPORTANT DATA |
PHYSICAL
STATE; APPEARANCE:
White powder.
PHYSICAL DANGERS:
Product is considered stable. Avoid contact with oxidizing
agents.
CHEMICAL DANGERS:
Hazardous polymerization will not occur.
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
Can be absorbed by all routes of exposure.
INHALATION RISK:
Irritation, sensitization.
EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
Severe vomiting and diarrhea may result in severe dehydration
(hypovolemic-shock) and multisystem organ failure: effects
on GI tract, kidney, liver, and pancreas. Potentially
fatal due to severe allergic reaction.
EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Allergic syndrome with congestion of nose and throat;
itchy, watery eyes; hives; tightness of the chest; and
in severe cases - wheezing. |
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES |
Melting Point: N/A
|
| Boiling Point: decomposes
(See Additional Information.) |
| Vapor Pressure (20°C):
Negligible |
| Density (20°C): N/A |
| Volatility: Negligible |
| Specific gravity: N/A
|
| Aqueous solubility(20°C):
soluble |
| Soluble: 10% NaCl solution
estimated log Kow: N/A |
| Flashpoint: N/A |
Flammability: N/A |
ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA |
|
ACUTE
EXPOSURE
GUIDELINES (AEGLs)
|
| |
10 min |
30 min |
1hr |
4 hr |
8 hr |
| AEGL 1 (discomfort, non-disabling) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| AEGL 2 (irreversible or other
serious, long-lasting effects or impaired ability
to escape) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
AEGL 3 (life-threatening
effects or death)
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
NOTES |
| Lethal
dose = 1 mg/kg. Urinary excretion of ricin is probably
slow and limited with the estimated half-life being about
8-days. Oral exposure to ricin appears to be less toxic
than by other routes of exposure. |
| |
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
Ricin is detoxified
in 10 mins at 176°F (80°C) and in 1 hr at 122°F
(50°C); it is stable under ambient conditions. |
| |
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS |
APR - Air-purifying
Respirator
CBRN - Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
REL - Recommended Exposure Limit
PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit
SCBA - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus |
| |
IMPORTANT
NOTICE: |
RICIN (ERC9009-86-3)
The user should verify compliance of the cards with the
relevant STATE or TERRITORY legislation before use. NIOSH,
CDC 2003. |
