Chromium Oxide Green, Solid

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Mechanical hazard. Dust may cause mechanical irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Low hazard for usual industrial or commercial handling. See "Other Health Effects" Section. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases.

Potential health effects

Inhalation: Product may be mildly irritating to the nose, throat and respiratory tract and may cause coughing and sneezing. Excessive contact with powder may cause drying of mucous membranes of nose and throat due to absorption of moisture and oils. See "Other Health Effects" Section. Skin Contact: This product may cause irritation due to abrasive action. Prolonged, confined (especially under the finger nails, under rings or watch bands) or repeated exposure may cause skin irritation. Excessive contact with powder may cause drying of the skin due to absorption of moisture and oils. May cause staining. Skin Absorption: Not likely to be absorbed through the skin. Page 2 of 6 Eye Contact: This product may cause irritation, redness and possible damage due to abrasiveness. Excessive contact with powder may cause drying of mucous membranes of the eyes due to absorption of moisture and oils. Product residues on fingers, hands or gloves may contact the eyes and cause eye irritation, redness and pain. Ingestion: Ingestion is not a likely route of exposure. This product may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort.

Other Health Effects

Low hazard for usual industrial or commercial handling. In general, long-term exposure to high concentrations of dust may cause increased mucous flow in the nose and respiratory system airways. This condition usually disappears after exposure stops. Controversy exists as to the role exposure to dust has in the development of chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the air passages into the lungs). Other factors such as smoking and general air pollution are more important, but dust exposure may contribute. May cause central nervous system (CNS) depression and pneumoconiosis. CNS depression is characterized by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and incoordination. Severe overexposures may lead to coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. Pneumoconiosis is the deposition of dust in the lungs and the tissue's reaction to its presence. When exposure to the dust is severe or prolonged, the lungs' defenses are overwhelmed.