Metallic Iron; Elemental Iron

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview -------------------------- CAUTION! MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life) Flammability Rating: 1 - Slight Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES

Storage

Color Code Green (General Storage) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---

Potential health effects

Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing and shortness of breath. Ingestion: Extremely large oral dosages may produce gastrointestinal disturbances. An overdose of iron may cause vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting blood, lethargy, and shock. In severe cases, toxicity may progress and develop into an increase in acidity in the blood, bluish skin discoloration, fever, liver damage, and possibly death. Skin Contact: No adverse effects expected. Eye Contact: May cause irritation, redness and pain. Eye contact may cause conjunctivitis and deposition of iron particles can leave a "rust ring" or brownish stain on the cornea. Chronic Exposure: Long-term inhalation exposure to iron has resulted in mottling of the lungs, a condition referred to as siderosis. This is considered a benign pneumoconiosis and does not ordinarily cause significant physiological impairment. Ingestion of greater than 50 to 100 mg of iron per day may result in pathological iron deposition in body tissues. Repeated iron ingestion can produce cardiac toxicity. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.