BRASS ALLOY

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Brass alloys in their usual solid form and under normal conditions do not present an inhalation, ingestion, or contact health hazard or fire or explosion hazard. Opera- tions such as welding, brazing, burning, grinding, cut- ting, heat treating, machining or similar operations may generate dusts, fumes and machine turnings that may create a health or fire or explosion hazard.

Principle Routes of Exposure

None in its natural solid state. High concentrations of dusts or fumes may cause irritation to the eyes. Inhalation of metal fumes or dusts gener- ated during welding, burning, grinding or machining may cause irritations of the respiratory tract. Flu-like symp- toms such as fever and chills may occur a few hours after excessive exposure. Dusts or fumes can cause irritation to the skin; and itching or dermatitis may occur. Target Organs: Respiratory system, kidney, liver, central nervous system, eyes and skin. Effects of Acute Exposure to Material: COPPER & ZINC (as Oxide): Inhalation overexposure to copper or zinc oxide may cause metal fume fever characterized by fever and chills (i.e. flu-like symptoms) which appear 4-6 hours after exposure with no long term effects. Effects of Chronic Exposure to Material: LEAD: Chronic exposures may cause lead poisoning that can affect the digestive system, nervous system, reproductive systems, muscles and joints. IARC lists lead and its inorganic compounds under its Group 2B category - “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. TIN: Inhalation overexposures may cause a benign pneumoconiosis (stannosis) with few or no symptoms, which is reported not to be disabling. NOTES: • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations (2008). • 3rd Annual Report on Carcinogens as prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).