Chromium Copper

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

3.1 EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Metallic product which poses little or no immediate hazard in solid form. See label in Section 16. If the material is involved in a fire; pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by persons potentially exposed to the airborne particulate during or after a fire.

Potential health effects

Exposure to the elements listed in Section 2 by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact can occur when melting, casting, dross handling, pickling, chemical cleaning, heat treating, abrasive cutting, welding, grinding, sanding, polishing, milling, crushing, or otherwise heating or abrading the surface of this material in a manner which generates particulate. Exposure may also occur during repair or maintenance activities on contaminated equipment such as: furnace rebuilding, maintenance or repair of air cleaning equipment, structural renovation, welding, etc. Particulate depositing on hands, gloves, and clothing, can be transferred to the breathing zone and inhaled during normal hand to face motions such as rubbing of the nose or eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc. 3.2.1 Inhalation Particulate containing those elements listed in Section 2 can cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and mucous membranes. Inhalation of this particulate may cause metal fume fever (high temperature, metallic taste, nausea, coughing, general weakness, muscle aches, and exhaustion), bronchitis, chills, decreased pulmonary function, and asthma-like symptoms. Chromium: May cause asthma and shortness of breath. May cause headache, coughing, fever, weight loss, and pneumoconiosis. Copper: Inhalation of particulate containing metallic copper can cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Lead: Lead can be absorbed through the respiratory system. In cases of acute exposure, symptoms such as metallic taste, chest and abdominal pain, and increased lead blood levels may follow. 3.2.2 Ingestion Ingestion can occur from hand, clothing, food and drink contact with particulate during hand to mouth activities such as eating, drinking, smoking, nail biting, etc. Chromium: May cause liver damage. Copper: Copper ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea. Ingestion of large doses may cause stomach and intestine ulceration, jaundice, and kidney and liver damage. Lead: POISON! The symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal pain and spasms, nausea, vomiting, headache. Acute poisoning can lead to muscle weakness, "lead line" on the gums, metallic taste, loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, and high lead levels in blood and urine with shock, coma and death in extreme cases. 3.2.3 Skin Skin contact with this material may cause, in some sensitive individuals, an allergic dermal response. Skin contact may cause irritation. Symptoms include redness, itching and pain. Chromium: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause dermatitis. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. Copper: Particulate may cause a greenish-black skin discoloration. Lead: Lead and lead compounds may be absorbed through the skin on prolonged exposure; the symptoms of lead poisoning described for ingestion exposure may occur. 3.2.4 Eyes Exposure may result from direct contact with airborne particulate or contact to the eye with contaminated hands or clothing. Damage can result from irritation or mechanical injury to the eyes by particulate. Chromium: May cause conjunctivitis. Copper: Particulate in the eyes may cause discoloration. Lead: Absorption can occur through eye tissues. Chromium: Prolonged inhalation may cause respiratory tract inflammation and lung damage. Copper: Prolonged or repeated exposure to copper can discolor skin and hair and irritate the skin; may cause mild dermatitis, runny nose, and irritation of the mucous membranes. Repeated ingestion may damage the liver and kidneys. Repeated Inhalation can cause chronic respiratory disease. Lead: Lead absorption in the body is cumulative. The concentration of lead in the blood is an important aspect of assessing exposure and potential adverse health effects. Excessive concentration may cause neuromuscular dysfunction accompanied by signs of weakness. Chronic lead poisoning has been associated with kidney disorders. Zinc: Repeated inhalation may cause chronic bronchitis. 3.2.6 Carcinogenic References Chromium: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists chromium as a Group 3 – Unclassifiable as to Carcinogenicity to Humans. ACGIH lists elemental chromium as an A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen. Lead: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists lead as a Group 2B – Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists lead as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The ACGIH lists lead and inorganic lead compounds as an A3 – Animal Carcinogen. 3.2.7 Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure Persons with impaired pulmonary function, airway diseases, or conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, etc. may incur further impairment if particulate is inhaled. If prior damage or disease to the neurologic (nervous), circulatory, hematologic (blood), or urinary (kidney) systems has occurred, proper screening or examinations should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk where handling and use of this material may cause exposure. Copper: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or impaired liver, kidney, or pulmonary function or pre- existing Wilson's disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. Lead: Persons with pre-existing kidney, nerve or circulatory disorders or with skin or eye problems may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance.

Environmental effects

See Ecological Information (Section 12)