Metallized Beryllia Ceramic

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

2.1 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW White/gray solid 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 sintering, machining, grinding, sanding, abrasive cutting, polishing, laser scribing and trimming, chemical etching, crushing or otherwise abrading the surface of this material in a manner which generates particulate. Volatile beryllium hydroxide can be formed when firing solid BeO parts at temperatures greater than 900°C in a moist atmosphere such as in a hydrogen atmosphere sintering furnace. 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, 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. Beryllium Oxide: The beryllium in this product is not known to cause acute health effects. Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) in some individuals. See Section 2.2.5 Chronic (long-term health effects). Molybdenum: When inhaled as a particulate, may cause benign pneumoconiosis. Can produce delayed pulmonary edema. Nickel: Can cause headaches, dizziness, and difficult breathing. Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Silica: Can cause lung scarring, shortness of breath, and reduced lung function. May cause acute 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. Beryllium Oxide: The health effect of ingestion of beryllium in the form found in this product is unknown. Gold: Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Molybdenum: May cause reduction of red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelets. May cause headache, fever, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle pain and bloody urine. Nickel: Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Tungsten: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 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. Beryllium Oxide: Particulate that becomes lodged under the skin has the potential to induce sensitization and skin lesions. Gold: May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. Nickel: May cause allergic dermatitis. Nickel is a contact allergen and sensitizer. 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. Molybdenum: May cause tearing, blurred vision, and photophobia. 2.2.5. Chronic (long-term health effects) Beryllium Oxide: Inhaling particulate containing beryllium may cause a serious, chronic lung disease called chronic beryllium disease (CBD) in some individuals. Over time, lung disease can be fatal. Chronic beryllium disease is a hypersensitivity or allergic condition in which the tissues of the lungs become inflamed. This inflammation, sometimes with accompanying fibrosis (scarring), may restrict the exchange of oxygen between the lungs and the bloodstream. Medical science suggests that CBD may be related to genetic factors. Manganese: Chronic manganese toxicity through inhalation may result in "manganism", which is a disease of the central nervous system involving psychic and neurological disorders. 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. Silica: Prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline quartz causes delayed lung injury/fibrosis (silicosis). 2.2.6. Carcinogenic References Beryllium Oxide: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists beryllium as a Group 1 – Known Human Carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists beryllium as known to be human carcinogens. IARC lists beryllium as a known human carcinogen (Group 1) and notes that the work environment of workers involved in refining, machining and producing beryllium metal was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, “the greater excess was in workers hired before 1950 when exposures to beryllium in the work place were relatively uncontrolled and much higher than in subsequent decades”; and “the highest risk for lung cancer being observed among individuals diagnosed with acute beryllium-induced pneumonitis, who represent a group that had the most intense exposure to beryllium.” IARC further noted that “Prior to 1950, exposure to beryllium in working environments was usually very high, and concentrations exceeding 1 mg/m3 [1000 micrograms per cubic meter] were not unusual.” 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. Silica: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists silica, crystalline, as a Group 1 – Known Human Carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists silica, crystalline, as a Known Human Carcinogen. 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. Beryllium Oxide: The effects of chronic beryllium disease on the lungs and heart are additive to the effects of other health conditions. Nickel: Skin contact with some nickel compounds in sensitive individuals may cause dermatitis (nickel itch).

Environmental effects

See Ecological Information (Section 12)