Wire Rod - Alloy Steel

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA Emergency Overview This formed solid metal product poses little or no immediate health or fire hazard. When product is subjected to welding, burning, grind- ing, melting, sawing, brazing, or other similar machining activities, potentially hazardous airborne particulate and fumes may be gener- ated and should be evaluated by an industrial hygienist. Avoid inhalation of metal dusts and fumes. Operations having the potential to generate airborne particulates should be performed in well ventilated areas and, if it is impossible, respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment should be used. The presence of nonmetallic coatings (for example, oils, paints, epoxies, laminates, etc.) on steel products should be considered when evaluating potential employee health hazards during handling, welding, grinding, sanding or other fume/dust generating activities.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation. Steel products in the natural state do not present an inhalation, ingestion or contact hazard. However, operations such as burning, welding, sawing, brazing, machining and grinding may result in the following effects if exposures exceed recommended limits as listed in Section 8. Target Organs: Respiratory system Acute Effects: • Inhalation: Excessive exposure to high concentrations of dust may cause irritation to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Excessive inhalation of fumes of freshly formed metal oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and usually between 0.02-0.05 microns from many metals can produce an acute reaction known as “metal fume fever”. Symptoms consist of chills and fever (very similar to and easily confused with flu symptoms), metallic taste in the mouth, dryness and irritation of the throat followed by weakness and muscle pain. The symptoms come on in a few hours after excessive exposures and usually last from 12 to 48 hours. Long-term effects from metal fume fever have not been noted. Freshly formed oxide fumes of manganese and copper have been associated with causing metal fume fever. • Eye: Excessive exposure to high concentrations of dust may cause irritation to the eyes. Particles of iron or iron compounds, which become imbedded in the eye, may cause rust stains unless removed fairly promptly. Torching or burning operations on steel products with oil coatings may produce emissions that can be irritating to the eyes. • Skin: Skin contact with dusts may cause irritation or sensitization, possibly leading to dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged contact with oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. • Ingestion: Ingestion of harmful amounts of this product as distributed is unlikely due to its solid insoluble form. Ingestion of dust may cause nausea or vomiting.

Potential chronic health

Presented below are the potential health effects that have been identified for the ingredients listed that are of industrial hygiene significance. • IRON OXIDE: Chronic inhalation of excessive concentrations of iron oxide fumes or dusts may result in the development of a benign lung conditions known as pneumoconiosis, called siderosis, which is observable as an X-ray change. But, no physical impairment of lung function has been associated with siderosis. • ALUMINUM: Aluminum dusts/fines are a low health risk by inhalation and should be treated as a nuisance dust. • CHROMIUM: The health hazards associated with exposure to chromium are dependent upon its oxidation state. The metal form (chromium as it exists in this product) is of relatively low toxicity. Long term excessive inhalation of ferrochromium dusts and fumesmay cause lung changes in exposed workers. Exposure to chromium metal does not give rise to pulmonary fibrosis or pneumoconiosis. The hexavalent form (Cr+6), unlike chromium metal is very toxic. Repeated or prolonged exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds may cause respiratory irritation, nosebleed, ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Industrial exposure to certain forms of hexavalent chromium has been related to an increased incidence of respiratory cancer. • COPPER: Chronic exposure to copper dusts may result in runny nose, irritation of mucous membranes, and atrophic changes with resultant dementia. Chronic inhalation of copper dust has caused, in animals, hemolysis of the red blood cells, deposition of hemofuscin in the liver and pancreas, injury to lung cells and gastrointestinal symptoms. • MANGANESE: Manganese dust and fume can act as minor irritants to the eyes and respiratory tract. Excessive inhalation exposure to manganese fume may result in a flulike illness termed metal fume fever. Chronic exposure to high concentrations of manganese fumes and dusts may adversely affect the central nervous system (CNS) with symptoms including languor, sleepiness, weakness, emotional disturbances, spastic gait, mask-like facial expression and paralysis. Animal studies indicate that manganese exposure may increase susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. • PHOSPHOROUS: Inhalation of dusts and fumes of ferrophosphorus and phosphorous oxides may cause respiratory irritation. • SILICON: Silicon dusts are a low health risk by inhalation and should be treated as a nuisance dust. • SULFUR: Sulfur compounds, present in the fumes, may irritate the skin, eyes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Long-term inhalation exposure to high concentrations (overexposure) to pneumoconiotic agents may act synergistically with inhalation of oxides, • fumes or dusts of this product to cause toxic effects.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Individuals with chronic respiratory disorders (i.e., asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, etc.) may be adversely affected by any fume or airborne particulate matter exposure.