Manganese Chloride, Solid

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Toxic! May be fatal if swallowed. Causes severe skin and eye irritation. Dust is irritating to respiratory tract. See "Other Health Effects" Section. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases.

Potential health effects

Inhalation: Product is irritating to the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Inhalation can cause a flu-like illness (metal fume fever). This 24-to 48-hour illness is characterized by chills, fever, aching muscles, dryness in the mouth and throat and headache. Brief contact with the dust causes irritation. Greater exposure causes severe burns. In the presence of moisture (perspiration, humidity, tears), the dust dissolves to form a corrosive solution which may cause burns. (3) See "Other Health Effects" Section. Skin Contact: Brief contact causes irritation (itching, local redness or possible swelling). Burns (chemical) can occur if not promptly removed. In the presence of moisture (perspiration, humidity, tears), the dust dissolves to form a solution which may cause burns. Avoid handling when the skin is moist, wet or abraded. Prolonged and repeated contact may lead to dermatitis. Skin Absorption: Not likely to be absorbed through the skin. Eye Contact: Causes severe eye irritation. In the presence of moisture (perspiration, humidity, tears), the dust dissolves to form a solution which may cause burns. This product causes severe irritation to the eyes with redness and pain, lachrymation (excessive tears) and conjunctivitis. Ingestion: Toxic! This substance is toxic if swallowed. This product causes irritation, a burning sensation of the mouth and throat and abdominal pain.

Other Health Effects

Effects (irritancy) on the skin and eyes may be delayed, and damage may occur without the sensation or onset of pain. Strict adherence to first aid measures following any exposure is essential. 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. (4) Manganese may cause metal fume fever, central nervous system (CNS) depression, liver damage, kidney damage, anemia and hypoglycemia. Liver damage is characterized by the loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowish skin colour), and occasional pain in the upper left-hand side of the abdomen. Signs and symptoms of kidney damage generally progress from oliguria, to blood in the urine, to total renal failure. Anemia is a term that describes any condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of pack red blood cells are less than normal. Symptoms include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, lethargy and fatigability. (8) Hypoglycemia is defined as an abnormally low concentration of glucose in the circulating blood. 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. Individuals exposed to dust and fumes of Manganese have been reported to suffer a much higher incidence of upper respiratory infections and pneumonia than the general population. (3) Prolonged inhalation of dusts can lead to Mangansim (Manganese poisoning) resulting in possible permanent disability. Exposures to heavy concentrations of dusts or fumes for as little as 3 months may produce poisoning. But usually cases develop after 1 - 3 years of exposure. (2) Early phases of chronic Manganese poisoning are difficult to recognize because symptoms are non- specific and the onset is insidious. The disease progresses in three stages: first, with apathy, arthralgias (pain in the joints), anorexia, asthenia (lack or loss of strength), headache, hypersomnia (sleepiness), spasms, and weakness of the legs; second, with psychosis, unaccountable laughter, euphoria, mental confusions, and hallucinations; and finally, with speech disturbances, bradykinesis, muscular rigidity, mask-like facial appearance, disturbances in gait and balance, tremors, excessive salivation, and sweating. At this point the disease is irreversible and very similar to classical Parkinson's disease. (3). Other reported illnesses include pneumonia and metal fume fever. Metal fume fever can be caused by inhalation of fumes formed in the air from welding or heating the metal. Symptoms of metal fume fever occur about 4 to 12 hours after exposure and usually last about 24 hours. Recovery is complete with no apparent permanent disability. The symptoms resemble the "flu" and include: sweating, shivering, headache, fever, chills, thirstiness, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, weakness and tiredness. (4) A metallic or sweet taste in the mouth, dryness or irritation of the throat and coughing may occur at the time of exposure to the metal fumes. (4) Some workers develop a short-term immunity so that repeated exposure to the fumes does not cause metal fume fever. This immunity is quickly lost after short absences from work (weekends or vacations). (4)