Galvanized Lath

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 2. 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 from 12 to 48 hours. Long-term effects from metal fume fever have not been noted. Freshly formed oxide fumes of manganese, copper and zinc have been associated with causing metal fume fever. Although not expected to cause effects based upon the quantity present in the material, inhalation or ingestion of lead particles may result in lead-induced systemic toxicity. Symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal cramps, anemia, muscle weakness and headache. Galvanized (Hot Dipped) Sheet - Carbon Steel Rev. 05/02 • 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. Touching or burning operations on steel products with surface treatments, oil coatings, or acrylic films 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 chemical surface treatments or oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis, ulceration or allergic re- actions 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 and/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 develop- 2 ment 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: Skin contact with dusts may cause irritation or sensitization, possibly leading to dermatitis. Repeated or prolonged contact with surface treatments or oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis, ulceration or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. • 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. • PHOSPHORUS: Inhalation of dusts and fumes of ferrophosphorus 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. • ALUMINUM: Aluminum dusts/fines are a low health risk by inhalation and should be treated as a nuisance dust. • ANTIMONY: Exposure to high concentrations of antimony dust or fumes can cause inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, headache, dizziness, sleeplessness, bitter taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscular pains, enlarged liver, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. • LEAD: Lead is classified among the highly toxic heavy metals. It is a cumulative hazard (accumulates in the bone and body tissue) and is a systemic poison that may affect a variety of organ systems, including the central nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system, blood formation, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of chronic over-exposure include loss of appetite, nausea, metallic taste in the mouth, constipation, anxiety, anemia, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, and colic accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Paralysis of the extensor muscles of the arms or legs, with wrist and/or foot drop, may result if the peripheral nervous system is affected. Long-term over-exposure may produce kidney damage. Reproductive damage is characterized by decreased sex drive, impotence, and sterility in men; and decreased fertility, abnormal menstrual cycles, and miscarriages in women. Unborn children may suffer Galvanized (Hot Dipped) Sheet - Carbon Steel Rev. 05/02 neurological damage or developmental problems due to excessive lead exposure in pregnant women. Prolonged or repeated skin contact to lead dust may result in dermatitis. Systemic toxicity may develop if lead is transferred to the mouth by cigarettes, chewing tobacco, food or make-up. Prolonged eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. • ZINC: Latent liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal disturbances with pressure in the stomach region, nausea, and weakness have been reported from repeated inhalation of zinc oxide. Repeated or prolonged skin contact to zinc oxide, coupled with poor personal hygiene, may result in "oxide pox" due to clogging of sebaceous glands. "Oxide pox", especially localized to moist areas, is characterized by small red, hard projecting papules with a central white plug, which develops into a pustule with intense itching. The lesions usually clear within 7-10 days. Repeated or prolonged eye contact with zinc oxide fume may produce conjunctivitis. 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 chemical surface treatments and oil coatings should be considered when evaluating potential employee health hazards and exposures during handling and welding or other fume activities. Removal of surface coatings should be considered prior to such activities. Repeated or prolonged contact with chemical surface treatments or oil residue may cause skin irritation, dermatitis, ulceration or allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Torching or burning operations on steel products with surface treatments, oil coatings or acrylic films may produce emissions that can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Inhalation of hexavalent chromium compounds may cause ulceration of the mucous membranes of the nasal septum and has been related to an increased incidence of lung cancer. Carcinogenicity: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and 3 OSHA do not list steel products as carcinogens. IARC identifies lead and welding fumes as Group 2B carcinogens (possibly carcinogenic to humans). EPA lists lead ad Group B2 (probable human carcinogen) based on a combination of sufficient evidence in animals and inadequate evidence in humans. When specified, a hexavalent chromium passivation treatment is applied to the product surface. IARC lists hexavalent chromium compounds as Group 1 (sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in humans). NTP lists certain hexavalent chromium compounds as Group 1 (known to be carcinogenic). The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) lists hexavalent chromium compounds as A1 (confirmed human carcinogen).

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.