Qwix /Ulti-Fill

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA Emergency Overview Qwix® is a gray powder that poses little immediate hazard. A single short term exposure to the dry powder is not likely to cause serious harm. However, exposure of sufficient duration to wet cement can cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin or eye) destruction in the form of chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns. The same type of tissue destruction can occur if wet or moist areas of the body are exposed for sufficient duration to dry cement products.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion.  Effects resulting from eye contact: Exposure to airborne dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact by larger amounts of dry powder or splashes of wet cement may cause effects ranging from moderate eye irritation to chemical burns and blindness. Such exposures require immediate first aid (see Section 4) and medical attention.  Effects resulting from skin contact: The most effective means of avoiding skin injury or illness involves minimizing skin contact, particularly contact with wet cement. Exposed persons may not feel discomfort until hours after the exposure has ended and significant injury has occurred. Exposure to dry cement may cause drying of the skin with consequent mild irritation or more significant effects attributable to aggravation of other conditions. Dry Qwix® in prolonged contact with wet skin or prolonged exposure to moist or wet cement may cause more severe skin effects including thickening, cracking, fissuring of the skin, or severe skin damage in the form of (caustic) chemical burns. Some individuals may exhibit an allergic response upon exposure to Qwix®, possibly due to trace amounts of chromium. The response may appear in a variety of forms ranging from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to their first contact with the product. Other persons may experience a delayed effect after years of contact with cementitious products.  Effects resulting from inhalation: Mild exposure to Qwix® may cause irritation to the moist mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. It may also leave unpleasant deposits in the nose. Qwix® contains free crystalline silica. Prolonged exposure to respirable free crystalline silica may aggravate other lung conditions. It may also cause delayed lung injury, including silicosis, cancer, tuberculosis, and/or other diseases.  Effects resulting from ingestion: Although small quantities of dust are not known to be harmful, ill effects are possible if larger quantities are consumed. Qwix® should not be ingested. 2  Carcinogenic potential: Cement is not listed as a carcinogen by NTP, OSHA, or IARC. It does, however, contain amounts of substances, such as crystalline silica, listed as carcinogens by these organizations.  Medical conditions which may be aggravated by inhalation or dermal exposure: Pre-existing upper respiratory and lung diseases. Unusual (hyper) sensitivity to hexavalent chromium (chromium +6) salts.