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Health hazards

DATA Effects of Overexposure; Electric arc welding may create one or more of the following health hazards: ARC RAYS can injure eyes and burn skin. ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill. See Section 7. FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous to your health. PRIMARY ROUTES OF ENTRY are the respiratory system, eyes and/or skin. SHORT-TERM (ACUTE) OVEREXPOSURE EFFECTS; Welding Fume- May result in discomfort such as dizziness, nausea or dryness or irritation of nose, throat or eyes. Iron, Iron Oxide — None are known. Treat as nuisance dust or fume. Manganese — Metal fume fever characterized by chills, fever, upset stomach, vomiting, irritation of the throat and aching of body. Recovery is generally complete within 48 hours of the overexposure. Aluminum Oxide - Irritation of the respiratory system. Calcium Oxide —- Dust or fumes may cause irritation of the respiratory system, skin and eyes. Mica — Dust may cause irritation of the respiratory system, skin and eyes. Silica (Amorphous) —- Dust and fumes may cause irritation of the respiratory system, skin and eyes. http:/Awww.imperialinc.com/msds0896040.shtml (5 of 9) [12/14/2006 3 43 04 AM] Titanium Dioxide - Irritation of respiratory system. Fluorides — Fluoride compounds evolved may cause skin and eye burns, pulmonary edema and bronchitis. Chromium — Inhalation of fume with chromium (VI) compounds can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, lung damage and asthma-like symptoms. Swallowing chromium (VI) salts can cause severe injury or death. Dust on skin can form ulcers. Eyes may be burned by chromium (VI) compounds. Allergic reactions may occur in some people. Nickel, Nickel Compounds —- Metallic taste, nausea, tightness in chest, metal fume fever, allergic reaction. Molybdenum — Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Magnesium Magnesium Oxide - Overexposure to the oxide may cause metal fume fever characterized by metallic taste, tightness of chest and fever. Symptoms may last 24 to 48 hours following overexposure. Long-Term (Chronic) Overexposure Effects; Welding Fumes - Excess levels may cause bronchial asthma, lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis or "siderosis." Iron, Iron Oxide Fumes — Can cause siderosos (deposits of iron in lungs) which some researchers believe may affect pulmonary function. Lungs will clear in time when exposures to iron and its compounds ceases. Iron and magnetite (Fe304) are not regarded as fibrogenic materials. Manganese —- Long-term overexposure to manganese compounds may affect the central nervous system. Symptoms may be similar to Parkinson's disease and can include slowness, changes in handwriting, gait impairment, muscle spasms and cramps and less commonly, tremor and behavioral changes. Employees who are overexposed to manganese compounds should be seen by a physician for early detection of neuralgic problems. Aluminum Oxide —- Pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Calcium Oxide —- Prolonged overexposure may cause ulceration of the skin and perforation of the nasal septum, dermatitis and pneumonia. Mica — Prolonged overexposure may cause scarring of the lungs and pneumoconiosis characterized by cough, shortness of breath, weakness and weight loss. Silica (Amorphous)- Research indicates that silica is present in welding fume in the amorphous form. Long term overexposure may cause pneumoconiosis. Non crystalline forms of silica (amorphous silica) are considered to have little fibro tic potential. Titanium Dioxide — Pulmonary irritation and slight fibrosis. Fluorides — Serious bone erosion (Osteoporosis) and mottling of teeth. Chromium — Ulceration and perforation of nasal septum. Respiratory irritation may occur with symptoms resembling asthma. Studies have shown that chromate production workers exposed to hexavalent chromium compounds have an excess of lung cancers. http:/Awww.imperialinc.com/msds0896040.shtml (6 of 9) [12/14/2006 3 43 04 AM] Chromium (VI) compounds are more readily absorbed through the skin than chromium (III) compounds. Good practice requires the reduction of employee exposure to chromium (III) and (VI) compounds. Nickel, Nickel Compounds - Lung fibrosis or pneumoconiosis. Studies of nickel refinery workers indicated a higher incidence of lung and nasal cancers. Molybdenum — Prolonged overexposure may result in loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of muscle coordination, difficulty in breathing and anemia. Magnesium, Magnesium Oxide - No adverse long term health effects have been reported in the literature.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

By Exposure; Persons with pre-existing impaired lung functions (asthma-like conditions).