High Speed Steel Cutting Tools

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Note: Health effects listed below are for exposure to metallurgical powders, dust, vapor or mist from altering the tool. No health effects have been reported for exposure to this material in solid form. Operations such as welding, grinding, polishing, melting, and brazing may cause dust or fume generation that can result in exposure to the elements present in the alloy. Inhalation Irritant/Sensjtizer 250 35 or 10 mg(Co)/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. Acute Overexposure: Symptoms of metal fume fever including chills, fever, sweating, nausea, and cough may appear. Metal fume fever begins 4 to 12 hours after exposure and lasts 24 hours without causing permanent damage. Other effects caused by dust and fume inhalation include metallic taste, eyes, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Chronic Overexposure: May cause respiratory irritation, bronchitis, allergic respiratory reaction, obstructed ain,vays, build-up of dust in the lungs, damage to lung tissue, and lung disease, with symptoms as described in acute overexposure, especially inflammation of the respiratory tract, nose and throat irritation, violent coughing, wheezing, rasping, and shortness of breath. There may also be blood changes, liver and kidney damage, and an increased susceptibility to respiratory changes. Skin Contact: Irritant. Acute Overexposure: May cause irritation. Chronic Overexposure: May cause inflammation and/or rash (irritant or allergic contact dermatitis). Eye Contact: Irritant. Acute Overexposure: May cause irritation with redness, pain, and itching. Chronic Overexposure: May cause conjunctivitis. Ingestion: Irritant. Acute Overexposure: Ingestion of large amounts of steel dust is highly unlikely. However, ingestion of small amounts may occur by eating or smoking with contaminated hands. Chronic Overexposure: May produce the same symptoms as for acute overexposure. May also adversely affect the pancreas, thyroid gland, heart, or bone marrow.