NLA - Tin/Antimony/Copper/Bismuth

Health hazards

DATA OSHA TLV See Section 3. Thermal cutting and melting of tin may produce fumes containing the components elements, and breathing these fumes may also present potentially significant health hazards. Special precautions should be taken if metal is contaminated: see section ix. Prolonged inhalation of tin fumes or dusts, or ingestion of tin compounds can result in tin poisoning. Symptoms include abdominal pain or colic, constipation, nausea, joint and muscle pains, and muscular weakness. Severe cases of overexposure may lead to central nervous systems disorders, characterized by somnolence, stupor, and ultimately death. Overexposure to antimony may cause gastrointestinal upset and various nervous complaints, such as sleeplessness, irritability, and muscular pain. Antimony and arsenic have been identified as potential cancer causing agents. Fumes of copper may cause metal fume fever with flu-like symptoms. Copper may cause skin and hair discoloration. Silver may cause a grayish pigmentation of the skin, and cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Bismuth is not considered a toxic or dangerous material, however, it is always good practice to maintain good housekeeping procedures and wash thoroughly. NLA ELEMENT CAS %WT Carcinogen TLV/TWA OSHA PEL ACGIH/ OSHA *Tin 7440-31-5 96-98 No 2.0 mg/cu m *Antimony 7440-36-0 0-2 No 0.5 mg/cu m *Copper 7440-50-8 0-2 No 0.2 mg/cu m 0.01 mg/cu m (fume) *Bismuth 7440-69-9 0-2 No NE

Principle Routes of Exposure

ingestion of dust, inhalation of dust or fume. Exposure to the massive form of tin presents few hazards in itself. However, normal handling of tin may result in generation of dusts containing the component elements, and inhalation or ingestion of these dusts may present potentially significant