Lafarge Blended Cement (cement)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

WARNING Corrosive - Causes severe burns. Toxic - Harmful by inhalation. (Contains crystalline silica) Respiratory Eye Protection Use proper engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to wet or dry product. Waterproof Read MSDS for details. Waterproof Gloves Boots (continued) Emergency Overview: Cement is a solid, grey, odorless powder. It is not combustible or explosive. A single, short-term exposure to the dry powder presents little or no hazard. Exposure of sufficient duration to wet cement, or to dry cement on moist areas of the body, can cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin, eye, respiratory tract) damage due to chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns.

Potential health effects

Eye Contact: Airborne dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact with large amounts of dry powder or with wet cement can cause moderate eye irritation, chemical burns and blindness. Eye exposures require immediate first aid and medical attention to prevent significant damage to the eye. Skin Contact: Cement may cause dry skin, discomfort, irritation, severe burns, and dermatitis. Burns: Exposure of sufficient duration to wet cement, or to dry cement on moist areas of the body, can cause serious, potentially irreversible damage to skin, eye, respiratory and digestive tracts due to chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns. A skin exposure may be hazardous even if there is no pain or discomfort. Dermatitis: Cement is capable of causing dermatitis by irritation and allergy. Skin affected by dermatitis may include symptoms such as, redness, itching, rash, scaling, and cracking. Irritant dermatitis is caused by the physical properties of cement including alkalinity and abrasion. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by sensitization to hexavalent chromium (chromate) present in cement. The reaction can range from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to the first contact with cement. Others may develop allergic dermatitis after years of repeated contact with cement. Inhalation (acute): Breathing dust may cause nose, throat or lung irritation, including choking, depending on the degree of exposure. Inhalation of high levels of dust can cause chemical burns to the nose, throat and lungs. Inhalation (chronic): Risk of injury depends on duration and level of exposure. Silicosis: This product contains crystalline silica. Prolonged or repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica from this product can cause silicosis, a seriously disabling and fatal lung disease. See Note to Physicians in Section 4 for further information. Carcinogenicity: Cement is not listed as a carcinogen by IARC or NTP; however, cement contains trace amounts of crystalline silica and hexavalent chromium which are classified by IARC and NTP as known human carcinogens. Autoimmune Some studies show that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (without silicosis) or Disease: that the disease silicosis may be associated with the increased incidence of several autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma (thickening of the skin), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and diseases affecting the kidneys. Tuberculosis: Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. Renal Disease: Some studies show an increased incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica. (continued) Ingestion: Do not ingest cement. Although ingestion of small quantities of cement is not known to be harmful, large quantities can cause chemical burns in the mouth, throat, stomach, and digestive tract. Medical Conditions Individuals with lung disease (e.g. bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, pulmonary Aggravated by Exposure: disease) or sensitivity to hexavalent chromium can be aggravated by exposure.