Electrical Contact Grease

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Light gray grease with slight petroleum oil odor. May cause minor eye and skin irritation. Repeated inhalation or contact with silver over time may cause silver deposits in internal tissues and permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (argyria). Inhalation is not expected under normal working conditions. Inhalation of mists and fumes produced at elevated temperatures may cause irritation and lung effects.

Potential health effects

EYE: May cause minor irritation or blue-gray discoloration. SKIN: May cause minor irritation. Prolonged or repeated contact may cause dermatitis, oil acne, or permanent blue-gray skin discoloration. Injection of grease under the skin by any means (high pressure usage, etc.) can cause permanent tissue damage. INGESTION: May cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and collapse. (continued) INHALATION: Not expected due to low vapor pressure. Mists and fumes from heating may cause respiratory irritation and lung effects. Repeated inhalation may cause argyria. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Repeated inhalation, ingestion, or contact with silver may cause blue-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Onset of pain and tissue damage is generally noted several hours following injection of oil under the skin. CHRONIC: Repeated overexposure to silver over time may localized argyria from direct deposition into the skin and eyes or generalized argyria from inhalation or ingestion. Silver will deposit in internal organs, blood vessels, connective tissues, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. CARCINOGENICITY: IARC: No NTP: No

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

May aggravate pre-existing eye, skin, and respiratory disorders TARGET ORGANS: Deposition of silver may affect a variety of organs and discolor the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Overexposure to mineral oil may affect the lungs.