Material Safety Data Sheet
DRAFT MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
GENERAL HYDROPONICS RAPID START
TM
12/22/10
SECTION 1. MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION
Product Name: RapidStart
TM
Chemical Family: Nitrates and inorganic minerals in aqueous solution
Product Use: Hydroponic plant nutrient
Manufactured by: General Hydroponics, 3789 Vine Hill Rd., Sebastopol CA 95472. (707) 824-9376 Fax: (707) 824-9377
For Emergency Day or Night Call: CHEMTREC – Domestic North America 800-424-9300,
International 703-527-3887 (collect calls accepted)
SECTION 2. INGREDIENTS AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
Ingredients: RapidStart
TM
is an especially formulated mixture of chemicals that are mixed in proportions to assure excellent plant
nutrition. The product is an aqueous, inorganic, nitrate solution. The chemical identity of the compounds and exact proportions used in
the mixture are a trade secret; however, they are derived from ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium phosphate, iron DPTA, it
also contains non-plant food ingredients, 0.05 alfalfa extract, 0.05 barley extract, 0.1 willow bark extract.
Exposure Limits: Some of the chemicals used in RapidStart
TM
, when inhaled in a powder form, are known to be irritants to the upper
respiratory tract. OSHA has established a PEL for an eight-hour time-weighted average of 5 mg/m3 (respirable fraction) or 15 mg/m3
eight-hour time-weighted average (total dust). ACGIH has established a 10 mg/m3 eight-hour time-weighted average threshold limit
value for exposure to chemicals
in this category. As long as these chemicals remain in aqueous solution and do not become aerosolized,
they are not an inhalation hazard.
SECTION 3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
*** Emergency Overview ***
CONTAINS OXIDIZERS, CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE. HARMFUL IF
SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND
RESPIRATORY TRACT.
NFPA Ratings:
Health: 1, Flammability: 0, Reactivity: 3, Other: Oxidizer.
Potential Health Effects
Primary Entry Routes: Ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact
Target Organs: Gastrointestinal system, blood system, skin, mucous membranes
Ingestion: Ingestion can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract with headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Eye: Irritation, redness and pain
Skin: Irritation, redness, itching, and pain
Inhalation: Irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.
Carcinogenicity: IARC, NTP, and OSHA do not list as a carcinogen.
MSDS RapidStart
TM
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