Material Safety Data Sheet
Last Update: March 1, 2007
Identity: PHC for Trees 27-9-9
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Section I -- Manufacturer
Emergency Phone #:
Plant Health Care, Inc. 800-421-9051
Phone # for Information: 412-826-5488
440 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
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Section II -- Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information
Hazardous Components OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV
Live Bacteria beneficial to plants
Potassium phosphate None determined
Potassium Nitrate None determined
Ammonium molybdate (0.0009% as Mo)
Ferric sodium EDTA complex None determined
1 mg/m3
Iron salts, soluble, as Fe
Manganese disodium EDTA complex None determined
0.2 mg/m3
Manganese, inorganic compounds as Mn
Zinc disodium EDTA complex None determined
Ureaformaldehyde None determined
Copper EDTA complex 1 mg/m3 as Cu
Boric Acid
Nuisance Dust:
Respirable 5 mg/m3 3 mg/m3
Total 15 mg/m 10 mg/m3
3
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Section III -- Physical/Chemical Characteristics
Boiling Point: Specific Gravity:
NA NA
Vapor Pressure: Melting Point:
NA >200 F
Vapor Density: Evaporation Rate: NA
No vapor
Solubility in Water: soluble
Appearance and Odor: Grey powder, mild odor.
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Section IV -- Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flash Point: No Data Flammable Limits; LEL: No Data; UEL: No Data
Extinguishing Media: Water fog, foam, alcohol foam, CO2, dry chemical
Special Fire Fighting Procedures:
Fire fighters should wear butyl rubber boots, gloves, and a NIOSH/MSHA approved self-
contained breathing apparatus.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Contains significant amount of Potassium nitrate, an
oxidizer, which can accelerate any fire or explosion situations. Short term exposure to smoke
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and gases from burning or exposure to high heat may lead to irreversible lung injury without
early signs and symptoms.
Section V -- Reactivity Data
Stability: Chemically stable Conditions to Avoid: High heat sources, sparks, open flame.
Avoid prolonged storage at high temperatures.
Incompatibility (Materials to avoid): Avoid strong bases. May form explosive mixes with
strong acids (nitric acid or perchloric acid) or bleach (calcium or sodium hypochlorite). Long
term storage in direct contact with reactive metals such as aluminum, zinc, copper, copper alloys,
nickel, magnesium, etc. May react to release hydrogen gas which can form explosive mixtures
with air. Aqueous reaction with strong alkalis can create heat. Other materials to avoid include
nitrates, strong oxidizing agents, bleach, strong acids, strong reducing agents, calcium nitrate,
phosphorus, maleic anhydride, and ethoxyethynyl alcohols with ether.
Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Burning or high heat may release noxious fumes
and gases such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfur
dioxide, oxides of phosphorus, phosphoric acid, biuret, or other toxic compounds depending on
the other combustion sources.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will Not Occur
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Section VI -- Health Hazard Data
Route(s) of Entry: Inhalation--yes Skin--yes Ingestion--yes Eyes: yes
Health Hazards (Acute and Chronic):
Acute: Skin contact may result in irritation. Eye irritant, may cause burns. Direct contact with
eyes or open wounds could result in infection. Avoid skin and eye contact. Inhalation : dust
may be slightly irritating with symptoms of sore throat and coughing. Ingestion of significant
amounts may cause nitrate toxicity, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and, less likely, hypocalcemia,
ammonia toxicity and hyperkalemia with cardiac arrhythmia.
Chronic: Prolonged inhalation may lead to respiratory tract irritation. Contains only a trace
amount (less than 0.006%) of a material, Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), which has been shown to
cause kidney toxicity based on animal data. Repeated or prolonged inhalation of magnesium
dust has been reported to cause increased incidence of digestive disorders. Target organs appear
to include the kidney and bladder.
Carcinogenicity: Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and its salts (referring to the EDTA-containing
ingredients in this product) were determined to be "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group
2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and determined to be a
compound which "May reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen" by the National
Toxicology Program (NTP).
Reproductive Effects: Possible birth defects hazard: contains material which may cause birth
defects based on animal data. EDTA and its sodium salts have been reported, in some studies, to
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cause birth defects in laboratory animals only at exaggerated doses that were toxic to the mother.
These effects are possibly associated with zinc deficiency caused by chelation and removal of
zinc from the body. Exposures having no effect on the mother are expected to have no effect on
the fetus.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Skin or eye irritation. Severe eye irritant. May cause
nausea and intestinal distress if ingested in significant quantities. Excess inhalation of dust may
result in irritation of the throat, and respiratory system, or cause shortness of breath, and reduced
pulmonary function. Infection could result if product contacts open wounds or eyes. Can cause
eye irritation or allergic response. See above under "Health Hazards", Acute and Chronic. If
ingested in sufficient quantity, may cause gastrointestinal disturbance, including nausea,
abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: May provoke asthmatic response in
persons with asthma who are sensitive to airway irritants. Individuals with kidney impairment
may be at increased risk. Interactions with medications may occur. Persons having medical
conditions making them sensitive to exposure to common bacteria (such as individuals with
AIDS, or those taking some anti-rejection drugs, or individuals receiving chemotherapy) should
consult with their physician before handling bacterial products.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures: Eyes: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes. Call a
physician.
Skin: Wash affected area with soap and water. If material contacts wounded or broken skin, treat
wound with an antiseptic to prevent infection. If irritation develops, consult a physician.
Remove and launder contaminated clothing separately before reuse.
Inhalation: If inhaled, move to fresh air. If difficulty in breathing persists, administer oxygen,
and get immediate medical attention. Watch for possible development of respiratory infection.
Ingestion: Seek immediate medical attention. Unless advised otherwise, do not induce vomiting.
Do not give anything by mouth if person is unconscious or nearly so, has no gag reflex, or is
having convulsions.
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Section VII -- Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled: Avoid stirring up excessive dust.
Moisten to sweep up and collect excess material while avoiding creating airborne dust. Do not
breathe dust. Then apply the product to the lawn as directed. If dissolved product is spilled,
contain and collect the spill to prevent discharge to surface streams or storm sewers. Then use
the product as directed, or dry the product for proper disposal.. Subsequently, clean the spill area
with a disinfectant. Beware of slippery floors when material becomes wet, or if spillage occurs
in wet areas. Dissolved product will discolor water. This product may be corrosive to
aluminum. Contact pollution control officials if spilled into public waters.
Waste Disposal Method: If possible, the spilled product should be collected, diluted , and
applied as a fertilizer to plants or trees, as intended. If disposed, the dissolved product should be
dried before disposal. Disposal must be in accord with federal, state, and local regulations.
Precautions to be Taken in Handling or Storage: Avoid stirring up dust. Contact lenses
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should not be worn. Use local exhaust. Do not freeze. Avoid unnecessary skin contact. Do not
breath dust, mist, or fumes. This product may be corrosive to aluminum. Store in PVC, PE,
stainless steel or bituminized containers. Avoid containers or fittings made of brass, bronze,
copper, or other copper-bearing alloys or galvanized metals.
Other Precautions: Eye wash fountains should be readily available, and easily accessible. All
foods and smoking materials should be kept in a separate area from the storage/use location of
this product. Eating, smoking, and drinking and should be prohibited in areas where there is
potential for significant exposure to this material. Hands and face should be thoroughly washed
before eating, drinking, or smoking.
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Section VIII -- Control Measures
Respiratory Protection: If dusts, vapors, or mists are generated, wear NIOSH/MSHA approved
respirator with dust, mist, and fume filters.
Ventilation: Use local exhaust for liquid dissolved material, and filtered exhaust for dry, dusty
material. Do not breathe dusts, mists, or fumes. Avoid unnecessary skin contact. Do not freeze.
Protective Gloves: Rubber, latex, vinyl, or any gloves without pores.
Eye Protection: Chemical goggles recommended if dusting conditions exists.
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: Coveralls, apron, gloves, boots as necessary to
prevent skin contact. Clean clothing should be worn daily to avoid possible long-term buildup of
the product leading to chronic overexposure.
Other: Open wounds or disruptions in the skin should be covered with a chemical-resistant
patch to minimize absorption risks and infection risks.
Work/Hygienic Practices: The bacteria contained in this product are strains of typically
harmless soil and water bacteria, and do not cause infections under normal circumstances.
However, reasonable precautions are in order. Handle as you would rich, dark soil or compost:
keep it out of your mouth, eyes, lungs, and broken skin. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when
handling product. Wash hands after handling. If material contacts wounded or broken skin, was
affected area with antibacterial soap and water. Treat wound with an antiseptic to prevent
infection. If spilled on clothes, wash separately from other clothes. Clean clothing should be
worn daily to avoid possible long-term buildup of the product leading to chronic overexposure.
Wash hands and face before handling food or drink.
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Transport Information:
Required Labels: Corrosive (to aluminum) labels are required for air, water, and international
shipment. None required for domestic land shipment.
Environmental Hazardous Substance: This product does not contain an environmentally
hazardous substance. However, as a fertilizer, it will stimulate algae blooms in surface waters.
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Regulatory Information:
The manganese and zinc compounds in this product are subject to SARA Title III, Section 313
supplier notification/release reporting requirements under the manganese and zinc compounds
categories, respectively. This product contains about 0.05% manganese, and about 0.05% zinc.
The EDTA-containing ingredients are subject to the following:
Environmental Lists:
TSCA: Toxic Substance Control Act 鈥? listed.
DSL: Domestic Substance List (Canada)
State Regulations: This product contains the following components (in trace quantities) that are
regulated under California proposition 65: Ethylene Oxide; Dioxane.
Ingredient Cancer List Reprod. List No Sig. Risk Lvl. RPI
Ethylene Oxide Y Y 2 ND
Dioxane Y N 30 ND
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