or Synonyms

Health hazards

OVERVIEW Specialty steel alloys are generally not considered hazardous in the form shipped (solid bar, wire, strip, or billets). However, if your process involves grinding, melting, cutting or any other process that causes release of dust, or fume, hazardous levels of dust or fumes of the constituents of these alloys could be generated. The following is a list of potential health effects for the hazardous elements that may be contained in any on the alloys. Please refer to the hazardous ingredients preced- ing for a list of those specifi c elements contained in the particular alloy. It is the users responsibility to assess potential exposures based on their processing of the product. Additionally, protective coatings may have been applied to the steel at the request of the customer. The coating Would represent less than 0.5% of the total material present. Material safety data sheets are available for these products at your request. GENERAL: Welding Fume, fumes freshly generated by welding of zinc, magnesium and copper, are known to cause metal fume fever. Inhalation of aluminum, iron, nickel, man- ganese, selenium and tin have also been reported to cause metal fume fever. Symptoms are fl u-like including: shortness of breath, coughing, muscle pain, fever and chills. Generally, symptoms resolve with rest in a few days.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation: Primary route of exposure, steel dusts and fume may cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Chronic Exposure may aggravate pre-existing conditions. Skin & Eye Contact: May cause irritation or skin sensitivity. Ingestion: Certain constituents may be harmful if swallowed. SPECIFIC HEALTH EFFECTS: ALUMINUM: Metal dust and oxide is generally considered a nuisance particulate. May irritate eyes and mucous membranes. Excessive concentrations have been known to cause fi brosis. BORON OXIDE An eye and respiratory irritant, may cause eye irritation, dryness of mouth, nose and throat or a productive cough CHROMIUM: The toxicity of chromium is dependent on its oxidation rate. Chromium metal is relatively non-toxic. If metal is heated to high temperatures, as in welding, fumes produced may be toxic to the lungs. Under high temperatures, hexavalent chromium may be produced, if in the insoluble form it is designated confi rmed human carcinogen. Other health effects include nasal irritation and possible kidney and liver damage. Chromite dust may also cause skin ulceration, dermatitis, and allergic skin reactions. COBALT: May cause interstitial fi brosis, pneumonitis and sensitization of the respiratory tract and skin. Cobalt liberation during tungsten carbide machining is also associated with the development of hypersensitivity asthma. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis usually appears when exposure ceases. Cobalt is listed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as a 2B carcinogen, anticipated to be carcinogenic from studies in experimental animals. COLUMBIUM (NIOBIUM): Eye or skin irritant, may cause kidney damage. COPPER: May irritate the upper respiratory tract, may include a metallic or sweet taste. May also cause metal fume fever. IRON OXIDE: Repeated inhalation of iron oxide fume or dust causes benign pneumoconiosis (siderosis), but generally does not cause symptoms in the exposed person. MANGANESE: Acute effects include skin and eye irritation and metal fume fever. Chronic exposure may lead to central nervous system symptoms of headaches, changes in motor activity and psychological disturbances. MOLYBDENUM: Insoluble compounds of molybdenum have a lower order of toxicity. Molybdenum trioxide is an irritant to eyes and mucous membranes. NICKEL: Known to cause contact dermatitis and is a respiratory tract irritant. Nickel refi ning and specifi c compounds are considered respiratory carcinogens to humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists elemental nickel as a 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans. The National Toxicological Program (NTP) lists nickel as reasonably anticipated to be carcinogenic from studies in experimental animals. The American Conference on Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommends that nickel compound be differentiated according to solubility for their carcinogenic effects. SELENIUM: Selenium dust vapors and fumes are irritants of the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. Chronic exposure may cause central nervous system effects and gastrointestinal disturbances. Selenium is listed by the Nation Toxicological Program (NTP) as a 2B, anticipated to be carcinogenic from studies in experimental Animals. SDS Ortho Ortho Specialties Specialties COMPANY INFORMATION COMPANY NAME: ORTHO SPECIALTIES STAINLESS STEEL  TYPE 302 COMPANY ADDRESS: 3820 OHIO AVE - SUITE 15 DOCUMENT NUMBER: SDS18 ST. CHARLES, IL 60174 Revision Date: 09/26/2014 COMPANY PHONE: 630-443-0225 REVISION: REV. E COMPANY FAX: 630-443-0224 NUMBER OF PAGES: 5 COMPANY WEB ADDRESS: www.orthospecialties.com SPECIFIC HEALTH EFFECTS (con’t) TANTALUM: Considered to have a low order of toxicity. As surgical implant material, it has demonstrated its physiological inertness. TITANIUM: A mild pulmonary irritant generally regarded as nuisance dust. TUNGSTEN: Both tungsten and tungsten carbide pose an extremely low order of toxicity. Tungsten is considered an inert dust VANADIUM: The oxides of vanadium are toxic. May cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract. May cause bronchitis with wheezing and chest pain. A sensi- tizer, with repeated exposure may cause more severe respiratory symptoms. ZIRCONIUM: Considered to have a low order of toxicity. Skin rash has been associated with exposure to deodorant containing zirconium.