Slag

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

WARNING Irritant: Causes eye, skin and inhalation irritation Respiratory Eye Toxic - Harmful by inhalation. Protection (Contains crystalline silica) Use proper engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment Waterproof to prevent exposure to wet or dry product. Gloves Boots Read MSDS for details. (continued) Emergency Overview: Slag is a solid, grey/black or brown/tan, odorless powder. It is not combustible or explosive. A single, short-term exposure to the dry powder presents little or no hazard.

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 slag can cause moderate eye irritation. Eye exposures require immediate first aid to prevent significant damage to the eye. Skin Contact: Slag may cause dry skin, discomfort, irritation, and dermatitis. Dermatitis: Slag 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 slag including moisture and abrasion. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by sensitization to hexavalent chromium (chromate) present in slag. The reaction can range from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to the first contact with slag. Others may develop allergic dermatitis after years of repeated contact with slag. Inhalation (acute): Breathing dust may cause nose, throat or lung irritation, including choking, depending on the degree of exposure. 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: Slag is not listed as a carcinogen by IARC or NTP; however, slag 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. Ingestion: Do not ingest slag. Ingestion of small quantities of slag is not known to be harmful, large quantities can cause distress to the 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.