Roll Roofing

Principle Routes of Exposure

Occasional nuisance dust, Inhalation SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE EYES: May cause irritation to the eyes. SKIN: May cause irritation to the skin. INGESTION: This product is not intended to be ingested. If ingested, it may cause temporary irritation to the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. INHALATION: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

Acute Health Hazards

NIOSH has found that studies of workers exposed to asphalt fumes have repeatedly found irritation of the serous membranes of the conjunctivae (eye irritation) and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract (nasal and throat irritation).

Health hazards

Studies in humans have found that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs. Silicosis is a serious and irreversible disease; it may be progressive even after exposure has ceased; it can lead to disability and death. Human studies also have found that silicosis is a risk factor for tuberculosis, and that occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including bronchitis and emphysema. Some studies show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma, connective tissue disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney diseases and end-stage kidney disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica. CARCINOGENICITY: IARC has determined that occupational exposure to oxidized asphalt and its emissions is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). IARC concluded that available data from cancer studies in humans points to an association between exposures to oxidized asphalts during roofing and lung cancer and tumors in the upper aero-digestive tract. In addition, IARC found sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals for extracts and fume condensates of oxidized asphalts. NIOSH has concluded that the collective data from human, animal, genotoxicity and exposure studies provide sufficient evidence that roofing asphalt fumes are a potential occupational carcinogen. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is classified as a known carcinogen in humans. IARC has determined that respirable crystalline silica is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on findings of sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in both humans and experimental animals. NTP has classified respirable crystalline silica as a known human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans indicating a causal relationship between occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica and increased lung cancer rates. NIOSH has determined that respirable crystalline silica is a potential occupational carcinogen.