Portland Cement

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA Hazards Portland cement is a gray or white powder. A single short-term exposure to the dry powder is not likely to cause serious harm. DANGER! Overexposure to Portland cement can cause serious, potentially irreversible skin or eye damage in the form of chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree burns. The same serious injury can occur if wet or moist skin has prolonged contact exposure to dry Portland cement. Carcinogenicity. Portland cement is not classifiable as a human carcinogen by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicity Program (NTP), or the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). However, Portland cement may contain trace amounts of substances listed as carcinogens by NCP, OHSA, or IARC: crystalline silica, chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds, lead compounds. WARNING: Crystalline silica, chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds, lead compounds are known to the State of California to cause cancer. (Title 8 CCR 5194(b)(6)(B)-(C).) Reproductive Toxicity. WARNING: Portland cement may contain trace amounts of nickel and lead compounds. Nickel and lead compounds or substances are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. (Title 8 CCR 5194 (b)(6)(B)-(C).) OSHA/HCS status: This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the California Hazard Communication standard (Title 8 CCR 5194).

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture

SKIN CORROSION / IRRITATION — Category 1 SERIOUS EYE DAMAGE / EYE IRRITATION — Category 1 SKIN SENSITIZATION — Category 1 CARCINOGENICITY / INHALATION — Category 1 SPECIFIC TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY (SINGLE EXPOSURE) [Respiratory tract irritation] — Category 3`

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause an allergic skin reaction. May cause respiratory irritation. May cause cancer.

Prevention

Wear protective gloves. Wear eye or face protection. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace. Causes eye and skin burns. See Section 4 for additional details. May present risk of engulfment. See Section 7 for additional details. Overexposure to wet cement can cause severe skin damage in the form of chemical burns, including third degree burns. The same severe injury can occur if wet or moist skin is exposed to dry Portland cement. Clothing wet with moisture from cement can transmit the caustic effects to the skin, causing chemical burns. Portland cement causes skin burns with little warning; discomfort or pain cannot be relied upon to alert a person to a serious injury. You may not feel pain or the severity of the burn until hours after the exposure. MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Contact with wet cement may aggravate existing skin conditions. Sensitivity to hexavalent chromium can be aggravated by exposure.

Response

IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Prolonged and repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica-containing dust in excess of appropriate exposure limits has caused silicosis, fibrosis or scar tissue formations in the lungs. Call a POISON CENTER or physician if you feel unwell. IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of pH neutral soap and water. Take off contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. If skin irritation or rash occurs: get medical attention. Portland cement may contain trace amounts of hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is associated with allergic skin reactions which may appear as contact dermatitis and skin ulcerations. Persons already sensitized may react to their first exposure to cement. Other individuals may develop allergic dermatitis after repeated expo- sure to cement. The symptoms of allergic reactions may include reddening of the skin, rash, and irritation. Symptoms of chronic exposure to wet cement may include reddening, irritation, and eczematous rashes. Drying, thickening, and cracking of the skin and nails may also occur. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Exposure to dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact by larger amount of dry power or splashes of wet Portland cement may cause effects ranging from moderate eye irritation to chemical burns or blindness. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or physician. IF INGESTED: Irritating to mouth, throat and stomach. Ingestion of large quantities may cause severe irritation and chemical burns of the mouth, throat, stomach and digestive tract. Do not ingest Portland cement. Get immediate medical attention.

Storage

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated area.

Disposal

Dispose of contents and container in accordance with all local, regional, national and international regulations.

2.3 Other hazards

Not applicable