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3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION 3.1 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Metallic product which poses little or no immediate hazard in solid form. See label in Section 16. If the material is involved in a fire; pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by persons potentially exposed to the airborne particulate during or after a fire. 3.2 POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS Exposure to the elements listed in Section 2 by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact can occur when melting, casting, dross handling, pickling, chemical cleaning, heat treating, abrasive cutting, welding, grinding, sanding, polishing, milling, crushing, or otherwise heating or abrading the surface of this material in a manner which generates particulate. Exposure may also occur during repair or maintenance activities on contaminated equipment such as: furnace rebuilding, maintenance or repair of air cleaning equipment, structural renovation, welding, etc. Particulate depositing on hands, gloves, and clothing, can be transferred to the breathing zone and inhaled during normal hand to face motions such as rubbing of the nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc. 3.2.1 Inhalation Particulate containing those elements listed in Section 2 can cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and mucous membranes. Inhalation of this particulate may cause metal fume fever (high temperature, metallic taste, nausea, coughing, general weakness, muscle aches, and exhaustion), bronchitis, chills, decreased pulmonary function, and asthma-like symptoms. Beryllium: The beryllium in this product is not known to cause acute health effects. Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) in some individuals. See section 3.2.5 Chronic (long-term health effects). Cobalt: May cause asthmatic attacks due to allergic sensitization of the respiratory tract. May cause asthma and shortness of breath. Copper: Inhalation of particulate containing metallic copper can cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Nickel: Can cause headaches, dizziness, and difficult breathing. Inhalation of nickel and nickel compounds is associated with nasal and lung damage and cancer. Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Zirconium: Inhalation of zirconium compounds may cause pulmonary granulomas. 3.2.2 Ingestion Ingestion can occur from hand, clothing, food and drink contact with particulate during hand to mouth activities such as eating, drinking, smoking, nail biting, etc. Beryllium: The health effect of ingestion of beryllium in the form found in this product is unknown. Cobalt May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause allergic reaction. Copper: Copper ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea. Ingestion of large doses may cause stomach and intestine ulceration, jaundice, and kidney and liver damage. Nickel: Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Zirconium: The ACGIH list zirconium as an A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen. 3.2.3 Skin Skin contact with this material may cause, in some sensitive individuals, an allergic dermal response. Skin contact may cause irritation. Symptoms include redness, itching and pain. Beryllium: Particulate that becomes lodged under the skin has the potential to induce sensitization and skin lesions. Cobalt: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause dermatitis. Copper: Particulate may cause a greenish-black skin discoloration. Nickel: May cause allergic dermatitis. Nickel is a contact allergen and sensitizer. 3.2.4 Eyes Exposure may result from direct contact with airborne particulate or contact to the eye with contaminated hands or clothing. Damage can result from irritation or mechanical injury to the eyes by particulate. Copper: Particulate in the eyes may cause discoloration. 3.2.5 Chronic (long-term health effects) Beryllium: Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in some individuals. Over time lung disease can be fatal. Chronic beryllium disease is a hypersensitivity or allergic condition in which the tissues of the lungs become inflamed. This inflammation, sometimes with accompanying fibrosis (scarring), may restrict the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the bloodstream. Medical science suggests that CBD may be related to genetic factors. Cobalt: Repeated exposure may cause allergic respiratory reaction (asthma). Chronic inhalation of particulate may lead to restricted pulmonary function and lung fibrosis (scarring). Chronic ingestion may result in heart damage and/or failure, vomiting, convulsions and thyroid enlargement. Repeated exposure may cause sensitization dermatitis. Copper: Prolonged or repeated exposure to copper can discolor skin and hair and irritate the skin; may cause mild dermatitis, runny nose, and irritation of the mucous membranes. Repeated ingestion may damage the liver and kidneys. Repeated Inhalation can cause chronic respiratory disease. Nickel: Prolonged exposure to excessive concentrations of particulate may cause chronic pulmonary disorders. Nickel and certain nickel compounds are considered carcinogenic and noted for producing nasal and lung cancer. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause sensitization dermatitis and possible destruction and/or ulceration. 3.2.6 Carcinogenic References Beryllium: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists beryllium as a Group 1 — Known Human Carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists beryllium as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The ACGIH lists beryllium as an A1 - Confirmed Human Carcinogen. IARC lists beryllium as a known human carcinogen (Group 1) and notes that the work environment of workers involved in refining, machining and producing beryllium metal was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, “the greater excess was in workers hired before 1950 when exposures to beryllium in the work place were relatively uncontrolled and much higher than in subsequent decades”; and “the highest risk for lung cancer being observed among individuals diagnosed with acute beryllium-induced pneumonitis, who represent a group that bad the most intense exposure to beryllium.” IARC further noted that ‘Prior to 1950, exposure to beryllium in working environments was usually very high, and concentrations exceeding 1 mg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter] were not unusual.” Cobalt: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists cobalt as a Group 2B — Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. ACGIH lists elemental cobalt as an A3 - Animal Carcinogen. OSHA lists cobalt as a possible select carcinogen. Nickel: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists nickel as a Group 2B — Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists nickel as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The ACGIH lists elemental nickel as an AS - Not Suspected as a Human Carcinogen and insoluble nickel compounds as an Al — Confirmed Human Carcinogen. 3.2.7 Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure Persons with impaired pulmonary function, airway diseases, or conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, etc. may incur further impairment if particulate is inhaled. If prior damage or disease to the neurologic (nervous), circulatory, hematologic (blood), or urinary (kidney) systems has occurred, proper screening or examinations should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk where handling and use of this material may cause exposure. Beryllium: The effects of chronic beryllium disease on the lungs and heart are additive to the effects of other health conditions. Copper: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver, kidney, or pulmonary function or preexisting Wilson’s disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. Nickel: Skin contact with some nickel compounds in sensitive individuals may cause dermatitis (nickel itch). 3.3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS See Ecological Information (Section 12) |
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