Granite

Health hazards

Not classified. Carcinogenicity Category 1A Specific Target Organ Toxicity, Category 2 Repeated Exposure OSHA defined hazards: Not classified.

Signal word

DANGER

Hazard statements

May cause cancer. May cause damage to organs (lung) through prolonged or repeated exposure. Causes Skin & Eye Irritation

Prevention

Obtain special instructions before use. Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

Response

If exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention.

Storage

Restrict or control access to stockpile areas. Engulfment hazard: To prevent burial or suffocation, do not enter a confined space, such as a silo, bulk truck or other storage container or vessel that stores or contains aggregates without an effective procedure for assuring safety.

Disposal

Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations.

2.3 Other hazards

None known

Additional information

Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) may cause cancer. Granite is a naturally occurring mineral complex that contains varying quantities of quartz (crystalline silica). In its natural bulk state, granite is not a known health hazard. Granite may be subjected to various natural or mechanical forces that produce small particles (dust) which may contain respirable crystalline silica (particles less than 10 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter). Repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (quartz) may cause lung cancer according to IARC and NTP; ACGIH states that it is a suspected cause of cancer. Other forms of RCS (e.g., tridymite and cristobalite) may also be present or formed under certain industrial processes.