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4. FIRST AID MEASURES 4.1 FIRST AID PROCEDURES INHALATION: Breathing difficulty caused by inhalation of particulate requires immediate removal to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration and obtain medical help. INGESTION: Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. SKIN: Thoroughly wash skin cuts or wounds to remove all particulate debris from the wound. Seek medical attention for wounds that cannot be thoroughly cleansed. Treat skin cuts and wounds with standard first aid practices such as cleansing, disinfecting and covering to prevent wound infection and contamination before continuing work. Obtain medical help for persistent irritation. Material accidentally implanted or lodged under the skin must be removed. EYES: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately. 4.2 NOTE TO PHYSICIANS Treatment of Chronic Beryllium Disease: There is no known treatment which will cure chronic beryllium disease. Prednisone or other corticosteroids are the most specific treatment currently available. They are directed at suppressing the immunological reaction and can be effective in diminishing signs and symptoms of chronic beryllium disease. In cases where steroid therapy has had only partial or minimal effectiveness, other immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, or methotrexate, have been used. These latter agents remain investigational. Further, in view of the potential side effects of all the immunosuppressive medications, including steroids such as prednisone, they should be used only under the direct care of a physician. In general, these medications should be reserved for cases with significant symptoms and/or significant loss of lung function. Other symptomatic treatment, such as oxygen, inhaled steroids or bronchodilators, may be prescribed by some physicians and can be effective in selected cases. The decision about when and with what medication to treat is a judgment situation for individual physicians. For the most part, treatment is reserved for those persons with symptoms and measurable loss of lung function. The value of starting oral steroid treatment, before signs or symptoms are evident, remains a medically unresolved issue. The effects of continued low exposure to beryllium are unknown for individuals who are sensitized to beryllium or who have a diagnosis of chronic beryllium disease. It is generally recommended that persons who are sensitized to beryllium or who have CBD terminate their occupational exposure to beryllium. 5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES Flash Point: Non-combustible as a solid. No ignition as layer of sub 44 micron particles of copper. Explosive Limits: Not applicable to solids. No ignition as cloud of sub 44 micron particles of nominal copper. Extinguishing Media: This material is non-combustible. Use extinguishing media appropriate to the surrounding fire. Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Do not use water to extinguish fires around operations involving molten metal due to the potential for steam explosions. Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn by firefighters or any other persons potentially exposed to the metal fumes or dust released during or after a fire. 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES 6.1 STEPS TO BE TAKEN IF MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED If this material is a particulate, establish a restricted entry zone based on the severity of the spill. Persons entering the restricted zone must wear adequate respiratory protection and protective clothing appropriate for the severity of the spill (see Section 8). Cleanup spills with a vacuum system utilizing a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system followed by wet cleaning methods. Special precautions must be taken when changing filters on HEPA vacuum cleaners used to clean up hazardous materials. Be careful to minimize airborne generation of particulate and avoid contamination of air and water. Depending upon the quantity of material released into the environment, the incident may be required to be reported to the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802 as well as the State Emergency Response Commission and Local Emergency Planning Committee. 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE 7.1 HANDLING Particulate may enter the body through cuts, abrasions or other wounds on the surface of the skin. Wear gloves when handling parts with loose surface particulate or sharp edges. 7.2 STORAGE Store in a dry area. |
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