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SECTION VI. HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Permissible exposure limits and threshold limit values. See Section II.
Route(s) of Entry: Inhalation: Yes; Skin: Yes; Ingestion: Yes
Under normal handling conditions the solid alloy presents no significant health hazards. Processing of the alloy by dust or fume producing operation (grinding, buffing, heating, welding, etc.) may result in the potential for exposure to airborne metal particulates or fume. The exposure levels in Section Il are relevant to fumes and dusts.
Effects of Overexposure:
Aluminum — Excessive exposure to aluminum fume and dust has been associated with lung disease, but this effect is probably due to simultaneous silica exposure.
Antimony — Antimony and its compounds are irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and are systemic poisons. Effects are reported to include metallic taste in the mouth, vomiting, colic, loss of appetite and weight, cardiac problems, and diarrhea. In addition, dermatitis may result which starts as an inflammation of the hair follicles and can progress through pus formation and sloughing to leave a contracted scar.
Beryllium — Inhalation of beryllium dust or fume may result in the production of an acute or chronic systemic disease depending upon the level of exposure and the beryllium compound involved. Granulomatous lesions of the skin, liver, kidneys, spleen, and lymph nodes have been reported.
Damage to the lungs may be in both the acute and chronic forms, both of which have similar signs and symptoms. These include a relatively non-productive cough, progressive difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, and loss of weight. The major difference between the two is the suddenness of onset and the rate of progression. In the acute form, the symptoms appear in several hours to several weeks after exposure and there is usually rapid progression of signs including
dyspnea, anorexia, and extreme weight loss. Complete recovery is possible and fatal cases usually result from acute heart disease. In chronic beryllium disease, the symptoms or signs are generally delayed in their onset and are persistent in nature. They may be triggered or aggravated by stresses such as pregnancy, respiratory infection, and
thyrotoxicosis. In the progression of the disease, symptoms of heart disease may occur.
Beryllium is also a suspected human carcinogen and has caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Cadmium — Inhalation of cadmium fumes may cause respiratory irritation with a sore, dry throat and a metallic taste followed by a cough, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. Bronchitis,
pneumonitis, and pulmonary edema have been reported as a result of the irritation of the fumes. Headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite, and weight loss have also been reported and the liver, kidneys and bone marrow may be injured by the presence of the metal.
Continued exposure to lower levels of cadmium has resulted in chronic poisoning characterized by irreversible lung damage and kidney damage. A single, high level exposure to cadmium can cause severe lung irritation which may be fatal. Cadmium is also a suspected human carcinogen.
Chromium — In some workers, chromium compounds act as allergens and may cause dermatitis and may also produce pulmonary sensitization. Chromic acid and chromates have a direct corrosive effect on the skin and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Although rare, there may be the possibility of skin and pulmonary sensitization. ARC has determined that there is sufficient evidence of increased lung cancer among workers in the chromate-producing industry and possible chromium alloy workers. This determination is supported by sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity to animals and possible mutagenicity testing of Cr VI compounds.
Cobalt — Cobalt has been reported as causing hypersensitization type dermatitis in individuals who are susceptible. Animal studies have shown that particulate cobalt is an acutely irritating substance and industrial exposures, possibly combined with small amounts of silica, are reported capable of producing serious pneumoconiosis which is initially of an insidious nature.
Copper — Melting, grinding, cutting of copper may produce fumes or dust exposure and breathing these fumes or dust may present potentially significant health hazards. Fumes of copper may cause metal fume fever with flu-like symptoms and skin and hair discoloration. While industrial dermatitis has not been reported, keratinization of the hands and the soles of the feet has been reported. Systemically as well, copper dust and fume cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract, metallic taste in the mouth, and nausea.
Iron — The inhalation of iron oxide fumes or dust may cause an apparent benign pneumoconiosis which is called
siderosis. This disease is reported to be disabling, but makes x-ray diagnosis other lung conditions difficult or impossible.
Lead — Short term exposure: Lead is an accumulative poison. Inhalation effects of exposure to fumes or dust of inorganic lead may not develop quickly. Symptoms may include decreased physical fitness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, headache, aching bones and muscles, constipation, abdominal pains, and decreasing appetite. The effects are reversible and complete recovery is possible. Inhalation of large amounts of lead may lead to seizures, coma, and death.
Lead — Long term exposure: Long term exposure can result in a buildup of lead in the body and more severe symptoms. These include anemia, pale skin, a blue line at the gum margin, decreased handgrip strength, abdominal pain, severe constipation, nausea, vomiting, and paralysis of the wrist joint. Prolonged exposure may also result in kidney damage. If the nervous system is affected, usually due to very high exposures, the resulting effects include severe headache, convulsions, coma, delirium, and death. Alcohol ingestion and physical exertion may bring on symptoms. Continued exposure can result in decreased fertility and/or increased chances of miscarriage or birth defects.
Manganese — Chronic manganese poisoning may result from inhalation of dust or fume. The central nervous system is the chief site of the injury, and there also may be adverse blood and kidney effects. Chronic manganese poisoning is not a fatal disease although it is extremely disabling. Some individuals may be hypersusceptible to manganese. Freshly formed manganese fume has caused fever and chills similar to metal fume fever.
Nickel — The most common ailment arising from contact with nickel or its compounds is an allergic dermatitis known as ‘nickel itch” which usually occurs when the skin is moist. Generally nickel and most salts of nickel do not cause systemic poisoning, but nickel has been identified as a suspected carcinogen. There can also be adverse effects to the lungs and nasal cavities.
Silicon — Accumulation in lungs may be responsible for benign pneumoconiosis, but is not considered to be responsible for pulmonary functional impairment or respiratory symptoms.
Tin — The inhalation of inorganic tin fumes or dust may cause an apparent benign pneumoconiosis called stannosis which is reported not to be disabling.
Zinc (as Oxide) — Zinc is very low in toxicity but inhalation of fumes may cause “metal fume fever.” Onset of symptoms may be delayed 4—12 hours and include irritation of the nose, mouth and throat, cough, stomach pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, chills, fever, pains in the muscles and joints, thirst, bronchitis or pneumonia and a bluish tint to the skin. These symptoms go away in 24—48 hours and leave no effect.
NOTE: Antimony trioxide, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt-chromium alloy, lead and nickel have been identified as potential human carcinogens.
EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
Eye Contact Flush well with running water to remove particulate. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact Vacuum off excess dust. Wash well with soap and water.
Inhalation Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention.
Ingestion Seek medical attention if large quantities of material have been ingested. |
