PERMACAST PL-8000

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview: PERMACAST PL-8000 is a blended cement repair mortar. It is a powder with a sandy/granular texture, which is grayish in color, and has no odor. It is not combustible or explosive. A single, short-term exposure to dust presents little or no hazard. Exposure of sufficient duration to wet material or dust or dry material on moist areas of the body, can cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin, eye, respiratory tract) damage due to chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns.

Potential health effects

Eye Contact: Airborne dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact with large amounts of dust, dry powder or with wet mortar can cause moderate eye irritation, chemical burns and blindness. Eye exposures require immediate first aid and medical attention to prevent significant damage to the eye. Skin Contact: Cement mortar and cement may cause dry skin, discomfort, irritation, severe burns, and dermatitis. Burns: Exposure of sufficient duration to wet mortar, or to dust or dry mortar on moist areas of the body, can cause serious, potentially irreversible damage to skin, eye, respiratory and digestive tracts due to chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns. A skin exposure may be hazardous even if there is no pain or discomfort. Dermatitis: Cement and mortar dust are capable of causing dermatitis by irritation and allergy. Skin affected by dermatitis may include symptoms such as, redness, itching, rash, scaling, and cracking. Irritant dermatitis is caused by the physical properties of the mortar dust and cement including alkalinity and abrasion. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by sensitization to hexavalent chromium (chromate) present in cement. The reaction can range from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to the first contact with cement. Others may develop allergic dermatitis after years of repeated contact with mortar dust or cement. Inhalation (acute): Breathing dust may cause nose, throat or lung irritation, including choking, depending on the degree of exposure. Inhalation of high levels of mortar dust can cause chemical burns to the nose, throat and lungs. Inhalation (chronic): Risk of injury depends on duration and level of exposure. Silicosis: This product contains crystalline silica. Prolonged or repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica from this product can cause silicosis, a seriously disabling and fatal lung disease. See Note to Physicians in Section 4 for further information. Carcinogenicity: This product contains crystalline silica and trace amounts of hexavalent chromium which are classified by IARC and NTP as known human carcinogens. Autoimmune Disease: Some studies show that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (without silicosis) or that the disease silicosis may be associated with the increased incidence of several autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma (thickening of the skin), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and diseases affecting the kidneys. Tuberculosis: Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. Renal Disease: some studies show an increased incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Ingestion: Do not ingest mortar containing cement. Although ingestion of small quantities of mortar or cement is not known to be harmful, large quantities can cause chemical burns in the mouth, throat, stomach, and digestive tract. Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Individuals with lung disease (e.g. bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, pulmonary disease) or sensitivity to hexavalent chromium can be aggravated by exposure.