InterCem GUb-30F, InterCem HSb-30F, Portland cement clinker/fly ash intergrind

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview: Portland cement/flyash intergrind is a light gray powder that poses little immediate hazard. A single short term exposure to the dry powder is not likely to cause serious harm. However, exposure of sufficient duration to wet portland cement can cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin or eye) destruction in the form of chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns. The same type of tissue destruction can occur if wet or moist areas of the body are exposed for sufficient duration to dry portland cement.

Principle Routes of Exposure

are Eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Effects Resulting From EYE CONTACT: Exposure to airborne dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact by larger amounts of dry powder or splashes of wet portland cement/flyash intergrind may cause effects ranging from moderate eye irritation to chemical burns and blindness. Such exposures require immediate first aid (see Section 4) and medical attention to prevent significant damage to the eye. Effects Resulting From SKIN CONTACT: Discomfort or pain cannot be relied upon to alert a person to a hazardous skin exposure. Consequently, the only effective means of avoiding skin injury or illness involves minimizing skin contact, particularly contact with wet cement. Exposed persons may not feel discomfort until hours after the exposure has ended and significant injury has occurred. Exposure to dry portland cement/flyash intergrind may cause drying of the skin with consequent mild irritation or more significant effects attributable to aggravation of other conditions. Dry portland cement/flyash intergrind contacting wet skin or exposure to moist or wet portland cement/flyash intergrind may cause more severe skin effects including thickening, cracking, or fissuring of the skin. Prolonged exposure can cause severe skin damage in the form of (caustic) chemical burns. Some individuals may exhibit an allergic response upon exposure to portland cement/flyash intergrind, possibly due to trace amounts of chromium. The response may appear in a variety of forms ranging from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to their first contact with the product. Other persons may first experience this effect after years of contact with portland cement/flyash intergrind products. Effects Resulting From INHALATION: Portland cement/flyash intergrind contains crystalline silica. Prolonged exposure to respirable free crystalline silica may aggravate other lung conditions. It also may cause delayed lung injury including silicosis, a disabling and potentially fatal lung disease, and/or other diseases. (Also see “Carcinogenic Potential” below.) Exposure to portland cement/flyash intergrind may cause irritation to the moist mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. It may also leave unpleasant deposits in the nose. Effects Resulting From INGESTION: Although small quantities of dust are not known to be harmful, ill effects are possible if larger quantities are consumed. Portland cement should not be eaten.  Carcinogenic Potential: Portland cement is not listed as a carcinogen by NTP