Date of Issue: June 2000

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE:
Hazardous according to the criteria of NOHSC

COMPANY DETAILS:
Telephone No.: (02) 9688 0444
Novartis Crop Protection Australasia Pty Limited
24 Hours Emergency No.: 1 800 033 111
A.C.N. 002 933 717
140-150 Bungaree Rd.,
PENDLE HILL, NSW, 2145


IDENTIFICATION

SUPRACIDE? 400 EC INSECTICIDE
PRODUCT NAME:

Emulsifiable concentrate 6.1
Formulation Type: Dangerous Goods Class:
Methidathion None allocated
Active Ingredient: Subsidiary Risk:
A3389AM 2X
Product Code No.: Hazchem Code:
Organophosphate II
Chemical Type: Packing Group:
3018 7
UN Number: Poisons Schedule:

USE: Insecticide for the control of certain insect pests in various crops

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION/PROPERTIES
Hazy yellow viscous liquid >70??C (closed cup)
Appearance: Flash Point:
Strong Non-flammable
Odour: Flammability:
Not available Emulsifiable
Vapour pressure: Behaviour in water:
1.203 at 20??C
Specific gravity:

OTHER PROPERTIES
3-7 Combustible, C1
pH: Combustibility:
Non-corrosive
Corrosiveness:

INGREDIENTS
CAS No. Content (% w/v)
>40
Methidathion (technical grade)
950-37-8 40
to give Methidathion
xylene 1330-20-7 <10
Other ingredients determined not to be hazardous - to 100


HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

HEALTH EFFECTS
ACUTE
Toxicity - This product is highly hazardous (WHO Hazard Class 1B)

Swallowed: HIGHLY TOXIC
Tests indicate a high toxicity following single doses of the active ingredient.
(LD50 = 25-54 mg/kg)

Dermal absorption: MODERATELY TOXIC
Tests indicate a moderate toxicity due to skin contact with the active ingredient.
(LD50 = 1546 mg/kg)
Inhaled: HIGHLY TOXIC
Tests indicate a high toxicity due to inhalation with the active ingredient.
(LC50 (4 h) = 3.6 mg/L air)
Note: The active ingredient, methidathion, can be rapidly absorbed through the skin. Poisoning
may occur due to cholinesterase inhibition.
Irritation
Eye: SLIGHT IRRITANT
Skin: SLIGHT IRRITANT
Respiratory System: SLIGHT IRRITANT
SUPRACIDE 400EC INSECTICIDE
Sensitisation
Skin: NOT A SENSITISER (Methidathion technical)

Poisoning Symptoms:
These are typical of organophosphate pesticides - nausea, diarrhoea, dripping mouth and nose, excessive
salivation, stomach cramps, excessive sweating, trembling, loss of muscle coordination, muscular twitches,
weakness, mental confusion, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, rapid pulse, pin-point pupils.

CHRONIC (Active Ingredient)
Methidathion technical has been extensively tested on laboratory mammals and in test tube systems. No
evidence of mutagenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic or reproductive effects was obtained. Chronic oral
exposure to high levels of methidathion technical has been shown to result in hepatotoxic (i.e. liver toxic)
effects in rats, mice, rabbits and dogs. In mice, prolonged administration of high doses has produced
hepatic tumours. The relevance of these findings to humans is heavily doubted. Repeated minor exposure
may cause a cumulative poisoning effect due to cholinesterase inhibition. Cholinesterase levels will return to
normal a few weeks after exposure is stopped.

FIRST AI In case of poisoning by any exposure route contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre. Phone 131 126.
Get to a hospital or doctor quickly.
Swallowed: If swallowed, give one atropine tablet (0.6 mg) every 5 minutes until dryness of the mouth
occurs.
Eye: If product gets in eyes, flush with running water for at least 15 minutes. If poisoning
occurs give atropine tablets as above.
Skin: If skin contact occurs, remove any contaminated clothing and wash affected areas
thoroughly with soap and water. If poisoning occurs give atropine tablets as above. Wash
contaminated clothing before re-use.
Inhaled: Move affected person to fresh air and keep at rest until recovered. If poisoning occurs give
atropine tablets as above.

ADVICE TO DOCTO Treat as a potent cholinesterase inhibitor. Atropine sulphate is antidotal.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS

EXPOSURE STANDARDS
Ingredient Occupational Exposure Limit
350 mg/m3 of air (NOHSC ?? time weighted average)
Xylene
No official exposure standards have been set for the other ingredients of this product.
Exposure Potential - Swallowing is unlikely under normal conditions of usage. Inhalation of spray mist is a
possible route of exposure. Skin uptake is the main route of exposure. Harmful quantities of methidathion may
be absorbed through skin that comes into direct contact with the product. This product is diluted with water
prior to use as a spray. This diluted form is less toxic by all exposure routes.
Re-entry Period - Do not enter treated areas without protective clothing until 48 hours after spraying.

ENGINEERING CONTROLS
No special requirements. Product is used outdoors.

PERSONAL PROTECTION
Very dangerous, particularly the concentrate. Product is poisonous if absorbed by skin contact, inhaled or
swallowed. Repeated minor exposure may have a cumulative poisoning effect. Avoid contact with eyes and
skin. DO NOT inhale vapour. Obtain an emergency supply of atropine tablets 0.6 mg.
When opening container, preparing spray or using the prepared spray, wear:
?? protective waterproof clothing,
?? elbow length PVC gloves, and
?? full facepiece respirator with combined dust and gas cartridge (canister).
If product or spray on skin immediately wash area with soap and water. After use and before eating, drinking or
smoking, wash hands, arms and face thoroughly with soap and water. After each day's use wash gloves,
respirator (and if rubber wash with detergent and warm water) and contaminated clothing.
Only use protective equipment bearing the mark of the Standards Association of Australia.

FLAMMABILITY
This product is NON-FLAMMABLE, however it is combustible.
SUPRACIDE 400EC INSECTICIDE

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION

STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
Store in tightly sealed original containers in a dry secure place away from fertilisers, seed, feed and food. Store
out of direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children, unauthorised persons and animals.
Store and transport according to the requirements for a Class 6.1 dangerous good and a Schedule 7 poison.

Transport Classification ?? Road and Rail (ADG), Sea (IMDG):
3018 Proper Shipping Name: ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDE, LIQUID,
UN No.:
6.1 TOXIC (CONTAINS METHIDATHION)
Class:
II Additional Information: METHIDATHION 40%, MARINE POLLUTANT
Packing Group:

SPILLS AND DISPOSAL
In case of spillage it is important to take all steps necessary to:
?? Avoid eye and skin contact.
?? Avoid contamination of waterways.

Procedure for spill:
(1) Keep all bystanders away.
(2) Wear goggles, half face-piece respirator with combined dust and vapour cartridge, full length clothing and
PVC gloves.
(3) Re-position any leaking containers so as to minimise further leakage.
(4) Dam and absorb spill with an absorbent material (e.g. sand or soil).
(5) Shovel the absorbed spill into drums and top with hydrated lime.
(6) Disposal of the absorbed material will depend upon the extent of the spill.
?? For quantities up to 50L of product bury in a secure landfill site.
?? For quantities greater than 50L seek advice from the manufacturer (use emergency contact number
below) before attempting disposal. Contain in a secure location until disposal method is established.
(7) Decontaminate the spill area with hydrated lime scattered over the spill prior to rinsing off with water.

Dispose of empty, used containers by:
(a) Triple rinsing or preferably pressure rinsing containers with water. Add the rinsings to the spray tank. DO
NOT dispose of undiluted chemicals on site.
(b) If recycling, replace cap and return clean containers to recycler or designated collection point.
(c) 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.

FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZAR This product is non-flammable, non-explosive, however it is combustible. Extinguish warehouse and factory
fires using fine-water spray or foam. During a fire this product may release smoke and hazardous
decomposition products. When fighting a major fire wear an air-supplied respirator.

OTHER INFORMATION
Methidathion technical is highly toxic to bees and fish and moderately toxic to birds. DO NOT contaminate
streams, rivers or waterways with the chemical or the used container.

Note: This product is a registered agricultural chemical and must therefore be used in accordance with the container label directions.
A comprehensive package of toxicological and environmental data for the active ingredients of this product has been
submitted to the Federal health and environment authorities and has been evaluated by expert toxicologists and environmental
scientists.




CONTACT POINT: Regulatory Affairs Manager - Crop Protection - (02) 9688 0444
24 HOURS EMERGENCY CONTACT: 1 800 033 111


This Material Safety Data Sheet summarises our best knowledge of the health and safety hazard information of the product and how to
safely handle and use the product in the workplace. Each user should read this MSDS and consider the information in the context of
how the product will be handled and used in the workplace including in conjunction with other products.

If clarification or further information is needed to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment can be made, the user should contact this
company.

? Registered Trade Mark of Novartis AG, Basel, Switzerland.


Methidathion