Product Name: Flash Herbicide

Page: 1 of 8
This revision issued: April, 2020

SAFETY DATA SHEET

Section 1. Identification of the material and the supplier

Product: FLASH® HERBICIDE

Common name: Paraquat
Chemical name: 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium
Product Use: Herbicide for the control of certain broadleaf and grass
weeds.
Restriction of Use: May only be used for agricultural or biosecurity purposes
effective from 11/12/2020. See section 15.
New Zealand Supplier: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Address: Level 1/93 Bolt Road
Tahunanui, Nelson 7011
Telephone: +64 3 543 8275 (weekdays)
Fax Number: +64 3 543 8274
Emergency Response (24hrs): 0800 734 607
National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766
Date of SDS Preparation: 3 April 2020

Section 2. Hazards Identification

This substance is hazardous according to the Hazardous Substances (Classification)

Notice 2017

EPA Approval No: HSR000828

Pictograms

Toxic Irritant Chronic Ecotoxic

Signal Word: DANGER

HSNO Hazard
Hazard Statement GHS Category
Classification Code
6.1C (oral) H301 Toxic if swallowed. Acute Tox. 3
6.1E (dermal) H313 May be harmful in contact with skin. Acute Tox. 5
6.1A (inh) H330 Fatal if inhaled. Acute Tox. 1
6.3A H315 Causes skin irritation. Skin Irrit. 2
6.4A H319 Causes serious eye irritation. Eye Irrit. 2
Causes damage to organs through prolonged
6.9A H372 STOT RE 1
or repeated exposure.
9.1A H400 Very toxic to aquatic life. Aquatic Acute 1
9.3B H432 Toxic to terrestrial vertebrates.
9.4B H442 Toxic to terrestrial invertebrates.

Prevention Code Prevention Statement

P102 Keep out of reach of children.
P103 Read label before use.

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 1
 P260 Do not breathe spray mist.
P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P280 Wear protective clothing as detailed in Section 8.
P284 Wear respiratory protection.

Response Code Response Statement

P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P312 Call a POISON CENTRE or doctor if you feel unwell.
P314 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P320/321 Specific treatment is urgent - read first aid instructions on this label.
P330 Rinse mouth.
P362 Take off contaminated clothing and wash before re-use.
P391 Collect spillage.
P301 + P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P302 + P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P304 + P340 IF INHALED: Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position
comfortable for breathing.
P305 + IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
P351+P338 contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P332 + P313 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.
P337 + P313 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.

Storage Code Storage Statement

P405 Store locked up.
P403 + P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.

Disposal Code Disposal Statement

P501 Triple rinse empty container and add rinsate to spray tank. Submit clean
empty container to an Agrecovery® depot for recycling. Alternatively,
puncture and bury in a suitable landfill. Avoid contamination of any water
supply with product or empty container.

Section 3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

This substance is a mixture

Ingredients Weight % CAS NUMBER.
Parquat (as dichloride) 25 1910-42-5
Other ingredients <10 Proprietary
Water To 100 7732-18-5

Contains emetic (PP796) and stenching agent (pyridine).

Section 4. First Aid Measures

IF POISONING IS SUSPECTED, RUSH VICTIM TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AFTER ALERTING

THEM BY TELEPHONE.

Routes of Exposure:

If Swallowed Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Take to the nearest hospital
immediately after alerting them by telephone. For advice contact the
National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON (0800 764 766) or a doctor
immediately.

If on Skin Remove contaminated clothing by cutting rather than pulling over the
head. DO NOT SCRUB SKIN. Wash the affected area with water and soap.
Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 2
 Wash contaminated clothes before re-use. If skin irritation occurs: get
medical advice/attention.

If in Eyes Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses,
if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. If eye irritation persists call a
POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

If Inhaled Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for
breathing. If breathing has stopped, DO NOT USE DIRECT MOUTH TO
MOUTH METHOD. Use alternative respiratory or proper respiratory
device. Take to the nearest hospital immediately after alerting them by
telephone. For advice contact the National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON
(0800 764 766) or a doctor immediately.

Most important symptoms and effects

Acute symptoms Symptoms and speed of progression depend upon the quantity ingested.
Immediate symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting. This may be
followed by pain and swelling of the mouth and throat, abdominal pain
and diarrhea (which may become bloody).
Delayed Symptoms and speed of progression depend upon the quantity ingested.
symptoms Mouth and throat ulceration, heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure,
hypotension, tachycardia, cough, pulmonary fibrosis, deteriorating lung
function, gastrointestinal ulceration, pancreatitis, toxic myocarditis, toxic
myocarditis and coma may occur within hours to weeks dependent on
dose.

Note to physician: There is no specific antidote. The most important measures are the
immediate neutralization of ingested paraquat by activated charcoal, 15% Fuller's earth, or
bentonite. Urgent removal of the poison by vomiting or, when possible, gastric lavage. The
urgency of these measures is such that, where transfer to hospital may involve a delay of an
hour or more, the emergency treatment may need to be given by a paramedical person, e.g.,
a nurse or a medical assistant, without any delay.

Section 5. Fire Fighting Measures

Hazard Type Non-Flammable or combustible. There is no risk of an explosion from

this product under normal circumstances if it is involved in a fire.
Hazards from Product is likely to decompose only after heating to dryness, followed
combustion by further strong heating. Fire decomposition products from this
products product may be toxic if inhaled. Take appropriate protective measures.
Suitable Small fire: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
Extinguishing Large fire: Water spray, fog or foam. Do not use water jets.
media Use water spray for cooling of unaffected stock to avoid accumulation
of polluted run-off from the site.
Precautions for Protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus should be
firefighters and worn to prevent skin contamination and breathing of toxic fumes. Do
special protective not enter fire area without proper protective equipment.
clothing
HAZCHEM CODE 2X

Section 6. Accidental Release Measures

Evacuate area of bystanders and unnecessary personnel.

Prevent smoking or the use of naked flames in the immediate vicinity.
Wear full protective clothing as detailed in Section 8 to deal with leak or spill.

Environmental precautions
Prevent material or run-off from entering waterways by activating emergency shutoff systems
or inserting drain covers.
Prevent contaminating other cargo or vegetation using the most readily available barrier
material e.g. sand, earth.
Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 3
If the product has contaminated surface water sources or sewers, inform the appropriate
authorities.

Methods and material for containment and cleaning up

Empty any product remaining in damaged or leaking containers into a clean empty container
and label immediately.
Absorb spilt material onto sand, vermiculite or other suitable absorbent material and sweep or
shovel spills into appropriate labelled container for disposal.
Wash area with water and alkaline detergent and absorb any remaining liquid with further
inert material.
Dispose of waste safely at an approved facility as per Local Regulations.

Section 7. Handling and Storage

This substance must be under the control of a certified handler.

This substance must be appropriately secured from access by persons other than a certified
handler.
Location Compliance Certificate required for stores containing >50L if the substance is to be
present for a period exceeding 2 hours (unless on a farm of not less than 4 ha when the
trigger quantity is >100L).

Precautions for Handling:

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Read label before use.
• Do not breathe spray mist.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
• Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Avoid release to the environment.
• Wear protective clothing as detailed in Section 8.
• Wear respiratory protection.
Precautions for Storage:
• Keep away from children.
• Store in the original, container tightly closed and in a locked, dry, cool, well ventilated
area, out of direct sunlight and away from stock feed or foodstuffs.
• As a Class 9 Substance with Ecotoxicity Classifications storage of Flash Herbicide must
be carried out in such a manner as to prevent contamination of waterways. Secondary
containment and emergency response plans are required where > 100 L of this product
are stored. It is recommended that The New Zealand Standard for the Management of
Agrichemicals (NZS8409) is followed.
• Avoid all unnecessary exposure.

Section 8 Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits:

WORKPLACE EXPOSURE STANDARDS

Ingredient CAS No TWA STEL
Paraquat 4685-14-7 0.1 mg/m3 -
(respirable dust)
Pyridine 110-86-1 1 ppm / 3.2 mg/kg -
(skin)
Workplace Exposure Standard – Time Weighted Average (TWA). The average airborne concentration of a substance
calculated over an eight-hour working day.
Workplace Exposure Standard – Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL). The 15-minute time weighted average exposure
standard. Applies to any 15-minute period in the working day and is designed to protect the worker against adverse
effects of irritation, chronic or irreversible tissue change, or narcosis that may increase the likelihood of accidents.
The WES-STEL is not an alternative to the WES-TWA; both the short-term and time-weighted average exposures
apply. Exposures at concentrations between the WES-TWA and the WES-STEL should be less than 15 minutes, should
occur no more than four times per day, and there should be at least 60 minutes between successive exposures in this
range.

Engineering Controls:
Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 4
Enclosure and isolation are the most reliable protection measure if exposure cannot be
eliminated.
Store in a well-ventilated area.
Maintain air concentrations below occupational exposure standards.

Personal Protection Equipment:

Eye Always wear tightly fitting safety goggles or a face shield. Avoid wearing
protection contact lenses.
Hand Wear elbow length chemical resistant gloves resistant to chemical
protection penetration (e.g. PVC or nitrile).
Skin / body Wear non-absorbent footwear and chemical resistant apron or coveralls.
protection Contaminated clothing should be removed immediately and laundered
separately from domestic laundry before reuse.
Respiratory When workers are facing concentrations above the exposure limit they must
use appropriate certified respirators.
Suitable respiratory equipment: Air-purifying mask respirator with organic
vapor cartridge(s) in combination with a particulate filter.
The filter class of the respirator must be suitable for the maximum expected
concentration (gas/vapour/aerosol/particulates) that may arise when
handling the product. If this concentration is exceeded, self-contained
breathing apparatus must be used.

Section 9 Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical state Liquid

Appearance Clear dark blue
Odour Obnoxious pyridine odour
Odour Threshold No data
pH 5 – 6.5
Boiling Point Approx. 100 °C at 100 kPa
Freezing/Melting Point Approx. 0°C
Flash Point Not applicable
Flammability Not flammable
Upper and Lower No data
Exposure Limits
Vapour Pressure No data
Vapour Density No data
Specific Gravity 1.08-1.10
Solubilities Soluble in water
Partition Coefficient: log Pow: -4.5 (20°C) (paraquat dichloride)
Auto-ignition Not applicable
Temperature
Viscosity, dynamic No data
Particle Characteristics Not applicable
Volatiles Water component

Section 10. Stability and Reactivity

Chemical reactivity This product is stable under normal conditions.

Hazardous reactions Corrosive in contact with metals
Conditions to Avoid Do not store in metal containers that have not be treated with
an appropriate lining material
Incompatible Materials Aluminium, mild steel, iron.
Hazardous Decomposition Combustion or thermal decomposition will evolve toxic and

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 5
Products irritant vapours.

Section 11 Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity:

Oral toxicity Toxic if swallowed. LD50 (similar product)

612 mg/kg (Rat, female)
707 mg/kg (Rat, male)
Dermal toxicity May be harmful in contact with skin. LD50 (similar product)735
mg/kg (Rat, female)
590 mg/kg (Rat, male)
Inhalation toxicity Fatal if inhaled. LC50 (4 h) (similar product)
0.02 mg/L (Rat)
Method: Calculation method
Respiratory Not applicable
irritation
Skin Causes skin irritation.
corrosion/irritation
Eye damage / Causes serious eye irritation.
irritation
Respiratory / Skin Not applicable
sensitization
Aspiration Hazard Not applicable

Chronic Toxicity:

Germ Cell Mutagenicity Not applicable.

Carcinogenicity Not applicable.
Reproductive Toxicity Not applicable.
STOT/SE Not applicable.
STOT/RE May cause damage to organs through prolonged or
repeated exposure.
Narcotic effects Not applicable

Toxicological effects

Mild or subacute poisoning: <20 – 30 mg paraquat ion/kg body weight.

• Asymptomatic or mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Renal and hepatic lesions are minimal or absent.
• An initial decrease of the pulmonary diffusion capacity may be present.
• Complete recovery would be expected.
Moderate to severe acute poisoning: >20 – 30 but <40 – 50 mg paraquat ion/kg body
weight.
• Immediate: vomiting.
• Hours: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, mouth and throat ulceration.
• One to four days: renal failure, hepatic impairment, hypotension and tachycardia.
• One to two weeks: cough, haemoptysis, pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis with
deteriorating lung function.
• Survival is possible, but in the majority of cases death occurs within 2 – 3 weeks from
pulmonary failure.
• Fulminant or hyperacute poisoning: >40 – 55 mg paraquat ion/kg body weight.
• Immediate: vomiting
• Hours to days: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, renal and hepatic failure, gastrointestinal
ulceration, pancreatitis, toxic myocarditis, refractory hypotension, coma.
• Death from cardiogenic shock and multi-organ failure occurs within 1-4 days

Section 12. Ecotoxicological Information

HSNO Classifications: 9.1A = Very toxic to aquatic life.

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 6
 9.3B = Toxic to terrestrial vertebrates.
9.4B = Toxic to terrestrial invertebrates.

Paraquat
Excotoxicity Endpoint / Time/ Value / Unit / Organism
effects
Toxicity to fish LC50 (96 h) = 8.3 mg/L rainbow trout (similar product)
Toxicity to aquatic EC50 (24 h) = 6 mg/l Daphnia magna (similar product)
invertebrates
Toxicity to algae EC50 (72 h) = 0.34 mg/L Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (similar
product)
Toxicity to birds LD50 (8 d) = 262-380 mg/kg hens (active ingredient)
Toxicity to soil LC50 (14 days) = 262-380 mg/kg earthworms (active ingredient)
organisms
Toxicity to Bees LD50 (72 h, oral) = 36 μg/bee (active ingredient)
LD50 (72 h, contact) = 150 μg/bee (active ingredient)
Persistence and Not readily biodegradable.
degradability
(product)
Bioaccumulative Does not bioaccumulate.
potential (product)
Soil mobility Immobile in soil. Low leaching potential.
Very persistent: DT50= 20 y
Percentage dissipation: 50%
Strong adsorption of paraquat to soil minerals and organic
matter.
Aqueous photolysis Stable
Aqueous hydrolysis Stable
Bioconcentration Low risk
factor

Do not allow this substance to enter waterways.

Section 13. Disposal Considerations

Container Disposal Triple rinse empty container and add rinsate to spray tank. Submit clean
empty container to an Agrecovery® depot for recycling. Alternatively,
puncture and bury in a suitable landfill. Avoid contamination of any water
supply with product or empty container.
Product Disposal Dispose of this product only by using according to the label, or through
the Agrecovery® Chemical Recovery service or other approved facility.

Section 14 Transport Information

This product is classified as a Dangerous Good for transport in NZ; NZS 5433:2012

Road and Rail Transport

UN No: 3016
Class-primary 6.1
Packing Group III
Proper Shipping Name: BIPYRIDILIUM PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC

Air Transport
UN No: 3016
Class-primary 6.1

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
Page 7
Packing Group III
Proper Shipping Name: BIPYRIDILIUM PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC

Marine Transport
UN No: 3016
Class-primary 6.1
Packing Group III
Proper Shipping Name: BIPYRIDILIUM PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC
Marine Pollutant: Yes

Special Provisions:

If the product’s individual container is below 5L/kg, it can be transported as a non-DG as long
as the product packaging is still labelled as per DG requirements and the driver is given safety
information in accordance with Chapter 3.4 of the UNRTDG.

Section 15 Regulatory Information

EPA Approval Code: HSR000828

HSNO Classification: 6.1A, 6.3A, 6.4A, 6.9A, 9.1A, 9.3B, 9.4B

HSW (HS) Regulations 2017 and EPA Notices Trigger Quantity

Certified Handler Any (6.1A)
Location Compliance Certificate 50kg/L (6.1A)
Tracking Trigger Quantities Any (6.1A)
Signage Trigger Quantities 50L/kg (6.1A)
Emergency Response Plan 100L(6.1A, 9.1A)
Secondary Containment 100L(6.1A, 9.1A)
HSNO Additional Controls (Restrictions of use)
Restrictions of Use- 77A
This substance may only be used for agricultural and biosecurity purposes; the latter requires
95A permission (effective 11/12/2020).
No person shall pack for sale or supply this substance unless it contains a stenching agent
and an effective emetic.
This substance must not be applied into or onto water.
Maximum application rates apply to this substance (effective 11/12/2020).
Buffer zones apply to this substance (effective 11/12/2020).
Restrictions on method of application apply to this substance (effective 11/12/2020).
Hazardous Property Controls Notice 2017
HPC Notice Part 4 Clause 47 Equipment for class 9 substances must be
appropriate
HPC Notice Part 4 Clause 48 Records of application of class 9 pesticides
and plant growth regulators
HPC Notice Part 2 Certain substances restricted to workplaces
only
HPC Notice Part 4 Subpart A Site and storage controls for class 9
substances
HPC Notice Part 4 Subpart C Qualifications required for application of
class 9 Pesticides.
ACVM Act and Regulations
Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P007431
See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration
conditions
For all further controls Refer to EPA website (www.epa.govt.nz) for
controls document - HSR000828

Section 16 Other Information

Glossary
EC50 Median effective concentration.
EEL Environmental Exposure Limit.

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
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EPA Environmental Protection Authority
HSNO Hazardous Substances and New Organisms.
LC50 Lethal concentration that will kill 50% of the test organisms
inhaling or ingesting it.
LD50 Lethal dose to kill 50% of test animals/organisms.
LEL Lower explosive level.
OSHA American Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
TEL Tolerable Exposure Limit.
TLV Threshold Limit Value-an exposure limit set by responsible
authority.
UEL Upper Explosive Level
WES Workplace Exposure Limit

References:
1. EPA Hazardous Substances (Safety Data Sheets) Notice 2017
2. Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices Nov 2017 edition.
3. Assigning a hazardous substance to a HSNO Approval (Aug 2013).
4. Transport of Dangerous goods on land NZS 5433:2012
5. HSW (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017
6. PARAQUAT POISONING: a practical guide to diagnosis, first aid and medical
management Revision 8
7. IPCS Health and Safety Guide No 51: Paraquat

Disclaimer
This document has been issued by ADAMA New Zealand Ltd and serves as our Safety Data
Sheet ('SDS'). It is based on information concerning the product which has been generated by
ADAMA, provided to ADAMA, or obtained from third party sources and is believed to represent
the current state of knowledge as to the appropriate safety and handling precautions for the
product at the time of issue. While ADAMA New Zealand Ltd have taken all due care to include
accurate and up-to-date information in this SDS, it does not provide any warranty as to
accuracy or completeness. As far as lawfully possible, ADAMA New Zealand Ltd accept no
liability for any loss, injury or damage (including consequential loss) which may be suffered or
incurred by any person as a consequence of their reliance on the information contained in this
SDS
The information herein is given in good faith, but no warranty, express or implied is made.
Please contact ADAMA New Zealand Ltd if further information is required.

Issue Date: 03 April 2020 Review Date: 02 April 2025

Product Name: Flash Herbicide Issued by: ADAMA New Zealand Ltd
Date of SDS: 03 April 2020 Tel: 03 543 8275 www.adama.com
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