The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
 
Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate
Warning: Significant data are missing
Human health High alert: Reproduction/development effects; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A human and veterinary opiate type drug used primarily to treat both acute and chronic severe pain. Often used as the sulphate salt.
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
;
E1 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 1 = Positive
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
?Possibly, status not identified
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
 
General human health issues
CNS toxicant May cause low blood pressure, drowsiness, vomiting and constipation May be fatal if swallowed in high doses
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Will emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxide when heated to decomposition Dust may form explosive mixture with air Incompatible with alkalies, lead acetate, chlorides, strong oxidising agents, ferric salts & iodides
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242