| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next |

Appendices 1-18 to: Report on the Health Effects of Selected Pesticide Coformulants

130     Human toxicity

130.1     Single dose toxicity

No data have been found.

130.2     Repeated dose toxicity

130.2.1     Inhalation

In male volunteers (six individuals) exposed for 8 hours on four different days to NMP at levels of 0, 10, 25, or 50 mg/m³, no discomfort to eyes or upper airways was reported. Acute changes in nasal volume were not found, and no changes in the spirometric data (FEV₁, VC or FVC) could be registered. Two individuals reported an odour of acetone at 50 mg/m³; the odour was reported as “not uncomfortable”. (Åkesson & Paulsson 1997).

A study of workers employed in the microelectronic (semiconductor) fabrication industry indicated that typical exposures to NMP as the vapour ranged from 0.02 to 1.5 ppm (0.08-6.2 mg/m³). All samples taken consisted of approximately 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) samples (area and personal breathing zone) and were taken from 5 different work areas: 1) application of a liquid “protective coating” onto the surface of the microelectronic devices with NMP being the primary vehicle (automated process at room temperature); 2) use of pure NMP liquid for the flushing of equipment tubing during routine cleaning operations (room temperature); 3) “assembly die-coat area” where an oven door (oven temperature 140°C) is opened and the warm product is removed and loaded onto a transfer cart (local exhaust ventilation along with general ventilation from ceiling to floor); 4) “T/A die-coat area” with same procedure as 3) but without the general ventilation system; 5) “NMP dip tank cleaning area” where products are immersed in NMP baths kept at 71-82°C.

Workers reported exposures from 49 to 83 ppm (202-342 mg/m³) as being unbearable for even a minimal amount of time. At lower concentrations of about 16 ppm (66 mg/m³), the workers reported an immediate perception, immediately uncomfortable (within 30 seconds) with minor eye irritation for this short exposure time. At concentrations from 0.72 to 1.5 ppm (3.0-6.2 mg/m³, 8-hour TWA), the workers reported immediate perception as a mild, yet pungent odour, uncomfortable (severe eye irritation) after about 30 minutes, and some workers with full-shift exposures complained of chronic headaches. At exposures below 0.03 ppm (0.1 mg/m³), no sensation and no problems or concerns were reported.

(Beaulieu & Schmerber 1991).

Exposures to NMP levels of 280 mg/m³ or higher were unbearable to exposed workers even for a few seconds (Åkesson 1994).

130.2.2     Oral intake

No data have been found.

130.2.3     Dermal contact

Several workers in an electrotechnical company experienced skin irritation after a few days of working with NMP. Ten out of 12 exposed workers displayed acute irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The severity of the reactions seemed to reflect the degree and duration of contact with NMP and the effects cleared within 3 weeks after termination of exposure. (Leira et al. 1992 - quoted from Åkesson 1994 and from Toxline 1991-1994).

A total of fifteen 24-hour exposures of NMP to the skin every other day in 50 human subjects caused various minor to moderate transient irritations; no signs of contact sensitisation were observed (International Speciality Products - quoted from Åkesson 1994; GAF Corp. 1974 - quoted from Trochimowicz et al. 1994 and from IUCLID 2000).

Evidence has shown the product (no further details are given) to be moderately irritating to human skin with prolonged or repeated exposure. Dermatitis, oedema, redness, blisters or cracking can occur. No further details are given. (IUCLID 2000).

130.3     Toxicity to reproduction

A case of intrauterine growth retardation followed by foetal demise at 31 weeks gestation has been reported; the mother was a laboratory worker with no other apparent risk factors, who sustained occupational exposure to NMP throughout the first trimester of pregnancy (Solomon et al. 1996).

130.4     Mutagenic and genotoxic effects

No data have been found.

130.5     Carcinogenic effects

No data have been found.

| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next | | Top |