Zinc Oxide French Process

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Zinc Oxide is a white or yellow-white solid which comes in crystal or powder form. Inhalation of fumes may cause metal fume fever. Exposure to dusts may irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Will not burn. Fire and high temperatures will release toxic fumes. Use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding fire.

Hazard statements

CAUTION! INHALATION OF ZINC OXIDE FUMES MAY CAUSE METAL FUME FEVER. MAY CAUSE EYE IRRITATION. MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION. PROLONGED OR REPEATED CONTACT MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION. Do not breathe fumes. Avoid breathing dusts and mists. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Keep container closed. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling.

Potential health effects

Eyes Dust may cause mild mechanical irritation to the eye. Skin No skin irritation is expected from a single short-term exposure to this product. Prolonged and/or repeated skin contact with this product may cause irritation/dermatitis. Ingestion Zinc Oxide is of low oral toxicity. Ingestion of large doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting. Long-time ingestion of zinc compounds can result in a chronic copper deficiency and may cause an alteration in immune responses, nausea, vomiting, headache, chills, fever, malaise, and abdominal pain. Inhalation Zinc Oxide dust is generally considered a nuisance dust, and adverse effects are unlikely when exposures are kept under reasonable control. Exposure to high quantities of the dust may cause mechanical irritation of the respiratory tract. Inhalation of Zinc Oxide fume may cause metal fume fever, an illness which lasts less than 48 hours. Symptoms are similar to those of the flu and include fever, chills, sweats, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, cough, muscle aches and pains, weakness, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can also result from breathing finely divided Zinc Oxide dust. Some evidence exists that zinc can enter blood stream, after inhalation of fumes to form a sensitizing complex with plasma proteins that can result in allergic reaction and/or sensitization.

HMIS® ratings

Health 2 Fire 0 Reactivity 0 Personal Protective Equipment E = chemical goggles, impervious gloves, dust respirator Hazard Scale: 0 = Minimal 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = Serious 4 = Severe * = Chronic hazard