Cold rolled stainless steel strips and sheets

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Solid stainless steel products covered by this Safety Data Sheet are shipped as non-flammable, non- explosive, non-reactive articles and do not constitute a hazardous material in solid form.

Potential health effects

No carcinogenic effects resulting from exposure to stainless steel have been reported, either in epidemiological studies or in tests with animals. 2.2. Eye Contact Dusts or particulates may cause mechanical irritation including pain, tearing, and redness. Scratching of the cornea can occur if eye is rubbed. Fumes may be irritating. Contact with the heated material may cause thermal burns. 2.3. Skin contact Stainless steels do not cause nickel sensitization by prolonged skin contact (Dermatological in human. However, nickel is classified as a skin sensitizer. It causes skin effects) sensitization in susceptible individuals through prolonged intimate contact with the skin (e.g. wearing jewellery). 2.4. Wounds Nickel metal powder has caused tumors at the site of injection in rodents. However, studies do not suggest a significant risk for humans from nickel- containing prostheses. 2.5. Inhalation Dust and fumes which may be produced as a by-product during grinding, polishing, abrasive blasting, welding, pickling and post-fabrication cleaning or similar processes may contain fumes of chromium (VI) oxides. Dusts may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs. Excessive inhalation of metallic fumes and dusts may result in metal fume fever, an influenza-like illness. It is characterized by a sweet or metallic taste in the mouth, accompanied by dryness and irritation of the throat, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, general malaise, weakness, fatigue. 2.6. Ingestion There is no evidence that nickel and its inorganic compounds are carcinogenic when ingested. Nickel is generally recognized as safe as a direct human food ingredient.