As Used

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview *** This formed solid metal product poses little or no immediate health or fire hazard. When product is subjected to welding, burning, melting, sawing, brazing, grinding, or other similar processes, potentially hazardous airborne particulate and fumes may be generated. Avoid inhalation of metal dusts and fumes. Operations having the potential to generate airborne particulates should be performed in well ventilated areas and, if appropriate, respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment should be used. Iron or steel foreign bodies imbedded in the cornea of the eye may produce rust stains unless removed fairly promptly.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation and skin, if coated. Steel products in the natural state do not present an inhalation, ingestion or contact hazard. However, operations such as burning, welding, sawing, brazing, machining and grinding may result in the following effects if exposures exceed recommended limits as listed in Section 1. Target Organs: Respiratory system. Acute Effects: • Inhalation: Excessive exposure to high concentrations of dust may cause irritation to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Excessive inhalation of fumes of freshly formed metal oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and usually between 0.02-0.05 microns from many metals can produce an acute reaction known as “metal fume fever”. Symptoms consist of chills and fever (very similar to and easily confused with flu symptoms), metallic taste in the mouth, dryness and irritation of the throat followed by weakness and muscle pain. The symptoms come on in a few hours after excessive exposures and usually last for 12 to 48 hours. Long-term effects from metal fume fever have not been noted. Freshly formed oxide fumes of manganese and copper have been associated with causing metal fume fever. • Eye: Excessive exposure to high concentrations of dust may cause irritation to the eyes. Particles of iron or iron compounds, which become imbedded in the eye, may cause rust stains unless removed fairly promptly. Torching or burning operations on steel products with oil coatings may produce emissions that can be irritating to the eyes. • Skin: Skin contact with dusts may cause irritation or sensitization, possibly leading to dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged contact with oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. • Ingestion: Ingestion of harmful amounts of this product as distributed is unlikely due to its solid insoluble form. Ingestion of dust may cause nausea or vomiting.

Potential chronic health

Chronic inhalation of metallic fumes and dusts are associated with the following conditions • IRON OXIDE: Chronic inhalation of excessive concentrations of iron oxide fumes or dusts may result in the development of a benign pneumoconiosis, called siderosis, which is observable as an X-ray change. No physical impairment of lung function has been associated with siderosis. • CALCIUM: Depending on the concentration and duration of exposure, repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause inflammation of the respiratory passages, ulcers of the mucous membranes, and possible perforation of the nasal septum. Repeated or prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis. • CARBON: Chronic inhalation of high concentrations to carbon may cause pulmonary disorders. • COPPER: Chronic exposure to copper dusts may result in runny nose, irritation of mucous membranes, and atrophic changes with resultant dementia. Chronic inhalation of copper dust has caused, in animals, hemolysis of the red blood cells, deposition of hemofuscin in the liver and pancreas, injury to lung cells and gastrointestinal symptoms. • MANGANESE: Chronic exposure to high concentrations of manganese fumes and dusts may adversely affect the central nervous system with symptoms including languor, sleepiness, weakness, emotional disturbances, spastic gait, mask-like facial expression and paralysis. Animal studies indicate that manganese exposure may increase susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. • PHOSPHOROUS: Inhalation of dusts and fumes of ferrophosphorous and phosphorus oxides may cause respiratory irritation. • SILICON: Silicon dusts are a low health risk by inhalation and should be treated as a nuisance dust. • SULFUR: Sulfur compounds, present in the fumes, may irritate the skin, eyes, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Long-term inhalation exposure to high concentrations (over-exposure) to pneumoconiotic agents may act synergistically with inhalation of oxides, fumes or dusts of this product to cause toxic effects. Chemical Surface Treatments/Coatings: The possible presence of oil coatings should be considered when evaluating potential employee health hazards and exposures during handling and welding or other fume generating activities. Removal of surface coatings should be considered prior to such activities. Repeated or prolonged contact with oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Torching or burning operations on steel products with oil coatings may produce emissions that can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Carcinogenicity: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC), The National Toxicology Program (NTP), and OSHA do not list steel products as carcinogens. IARC identifies welding fumes as a Group 2B carcinogen, a mixture that is possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Individuals with chronic respiratory disorders (i.e., asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, etc.) may be adversely affected by any fume or airborne particulate matter exposure. SARA Potential Hazard Categories: Immediate Acute Health Hazard; Delayed Chronic Health Hazard