Alloy

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

2.1 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Metallic product which poses little or no immediate hazard in solid form. See label in Section 16. If the material is involved in a fire; pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by persons potentially exposed to the airborne particulate during or after a fire.

Potential health effects

Exposure to the elements listed in Section 3 by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact can occur when melting, casting, dross handling, pickling, chemical cleaning, heat treating, abrasive cutting, welding, grinding, sanding, polishing, milling, crushing, or otherwise heating or abrading the surface of this material in a manner which generates particulate. Exposure may also occur during repair or maintenance activities on contaminated equipment such as: furnace rebuilding, maintenance or repair of air cleaning equipment, structural renovation, welding, etc. Particulate depositing on hands, gloves, and clothing, can be transferred to the breathing zone and inhaled during normal hand to face motions such as rubbing of the nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc. 2.2.1. Inhalation Particulate containing those elements listed in Section 3 can cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and mucous membranes. Inhalation of this particulate may cause metal fume fever (high temperature, metallic taste, nausea, coughing, general weakness, muscle aches, and exhaustion), bronchitis, chills, decreased pulmonary function and asthma-like symptoms. Copper: Inhalation of particulate containing metallic copper can cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Nickel: Can cause headaches, dizziness, and difficult breathing. Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. Tin: When inhaled as a particulate, may cause benign pneumoconiosis. 2.2.2. Ingestion Ingestion can occur from hand, clothing, food and drink contact with particulate during hand to mouth activities such as eating, drinking, smoking, nail biting, etc. Copper: Copper ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea. Ingestion of large doses may cause stomach and intestine ulceration, jaundice, and kidney and liver damage. Nickel: Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Tin: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Ingested inorganic tin exhibits only moderate toxicity due to poor absorption and rapid tissue turnover. May interfere with various enzyme systems. Inorganic tin salts may cause systemic effects on the central nervous system, heart and liver. 2.2.3. Skin Skin contact with this material may cause, in some sensitive individuals, an allergic dermal response. Skin contact may cause irritation. Symptoms include redness, itching and pain. Copper: Particulate may cause a greenish-black skin discoloration. Nickel: May cause allergic dermatitis. Nickel is a contact allergen and sensitizer. Tin: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause dermatitis. 2.2.4. Eyes Exposure may result from direct contact with airborne particulate or contact to the eye with contaminated hands or clothing. Damage can result from irritation or mechanical injury to the eyes by particulate. Copper: Particulate in the eyes may cause discoloration. 2.2.5. Chronic (long-term health effects) Copper: Prolonged or repeated exposure to copper can discolor skin and hair and irritate the skin; may cause mild dermatitis, runny nose, and irritation of the mucous membranes. Repeated ingestion may damage the liver and kidneys. Repeated Inhalation can cause chronic respiratory disease. Nickel: Prolonged exposure to excessive concentrations of particulate may cause chronic pulmonary disorders. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause sensitization dermatitis and possible destruction and/or ulceration. Tin: Chronic exposure to tin oxide particulate may result in stannosis (benign pneumoconiosis). Zinc: Repeated inhalation may cause chronic bronchitis. 2.2.6. Carcinogenic References Nickel: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists nickel as a Group 2B – Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. However, IARC found there was inadequate evidence that metallic nickel is carcinogenic to humans but since there was sufficient evidence that it is carcinogenic to animals, IARC concluded that metallic nickel is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists nickel as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. However, NTP reports that the available studies of the carcinogenicity of metallic nickel in humans are inadequate for an evaluation. 2.2.7. Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure Persons with impaired pulmonary function, airway diseases, or conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, etc. may incur further impairment if particulate is inhaled. If prior damage or disease to the neurologic (nervous), circulatory, hematologic (blood), or urinary (kidney) systems has occurred, proper screening or examinations should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk where handling and use of this material may cause exposure. Copper: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver, kidney, or pulmonary function or pre- existing Wilson's disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. Nickel: Skin contact with some nickel compounds in sensitive individuals may cause dermatitis (nickel itch).

Environmental effects

See Ecological Information (Section 12)