Silica Gel Indicating (Blue), Solid

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

_______________________________________________________________________________________________ EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Dust is irritating to respiratory tract. Suspect cancer hazard. 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 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. Contact may cause drying of the skin due to absorption of moisture and oils. May cause defatting, drying and cracking of the skin. . Skin Absorption: Not applicable. . Eye Contact: This product may cause irritation, redness and possible damage due to abrasiveness. Excessive contact may cause drying of mucous membranes of the eyes due to absorption of moisture and oils. . Ingestion: This product may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Ingestion of large amounts may cause intestinal obstruction. Ingestion of very high levels may cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Other Health Effects

Effects (irritancy) on the skin and eyes may be delayed. Strict adherence to first aid measures following any exposure is essential. May cause shortness of breath, lung damage, pneumoconiosis, damage to red blood cells, internal bleeding, thyroid effects and cardiovascular effects. Prolonged and repeated exposure may cause liver damage and kidney damage. 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. 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. Cobalt Chloride: Occupational exposure to cobalt-containing dusts can cause fibrotic changes in the lung and can precipitate asthma. Chronic pulmonary disease has been reported in the cemented tungsten carbide industry where cobalt is used. This effect has not been reported in workers refining or using cobalt metal, cobalt oxide and other compounds of cobalt. _______________________________________________________________________________________________