Carbon and Alloy Steels

Potential health effects

Steel products do not present an inhalation, ingestion, or skin hazard. However, processes, (such as welding, sawing, brazing, grinding, abrasive blasting, and machining) may result in the formation of fumes, dust, and/or particulate that may present a variety of health hazards. Molten steel is also hazardous. Eye Contact – Dusts or particulates may cause mechanical irritation including pain, tearing, and redness. Scratching of the cornea can occur if eye is rubbed. Fumes may be irritating. Contact with the heated material may cause thermal burns. Skin Contact – Dusts or particulates may cause mechanical irritation due to abrasion. Coated steel may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals (see Section 16 for additional information). Some components in this product are capable of causing an allergic reaction, possibly resulting in burning, itching, and skin eruptions. Contact with heated material may cause thermal burns. Inhalation – Dusts may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs. Excessive inhalation of metallic fumes and dusts may result in metal fume fever, and influenza-like illness. It is characterized by a sweet or metallic taste in the mouth, accompanied by dryness and irritation of the throat, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, general malaise, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, blurred vision, fever and chills. Typical symptoms last from 12 - 48 hours. Ingestion – Not expected to be acutely toxic via ingestion based on the physical and chemical properties of the product. Swallowing of excessive amounts of the dust may cause irritation, nausea, and diarrhea. Potential Fire and Explosion Hazards – Under normal conditions, steel products do not present fire or explosion hazards, and dust generated by handling steel products is oxidized and not combustible. Processing of steel product by some individual customers may produce potentially combustible dust that may represent a fire or explosion hazard. Page 2 of 12 Chronic or Special Toxic Effects – Repeated exposure to fine dusts may inflame the nasal mucosa and cause changes to the lung. In addition, a red-brown pigmentation of the eye and/or skin may occur. Welding fumes have been associated with adverse health effects. Contains components that may cause cancer or reproductive effects. The following components are listed by NTP

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Diseases of the skin such as eczema may be aggravated by exposure. Also, disorders of the respiratory system including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term inhalation exposure to agents that cause pneumoconiosis (e.g. dust) may act synergistically with inhalation of oxide fumes or dusts of this product.