Silver Brazing Paste with Flux

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA "T" - Toxic, Xn - Harmful R20/22: Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. R36/38: Irritating to eyes and skin. R40: Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect. R43: May cause sensitization by skin contact. R48/23 Toxic danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation. R60: May impair fertility. R61: May cause harm to the unborn child. Emergency Overview: IMMEDIATE CONCERNS Warning! Product contains fluorides In use above 500oC [930oF] in the presence of water vapor, hydrogen fluoride gas is evolved. Hydrogen fluoride gas can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, and delayed burns to the eyes and skin. It can also cause fluid in the lungs [pulmonary edema], and death. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and inhalation of vapors. Fumes from the soldering/brazing process are irritating to the eyes and respiratory system. Hot metal can cause eye and skin burns. Avoid breathing fumes from the soldering/brazing process. Use only with adequate ventilation. Warning! This product contains Nickel which is classified as a potential carcinogen. Hot metal can cause eye and skin burns. Avoid breathing fumes from the soldering/brazing process. Use only with adequate ventilation.

Potential health effects

Eyes: Can cause severe irritation and abrasion. [Contains metal powder and fluoride salts]. Skin: Skin contact may cause: severe irritation, burns. Prolonged skin contact may lead to symptoms similar to ingestion. May cause skin irritation. Hot molten metal may cause burns to the skin. Wear protective equipment when working with molten metal. Dermal contact with nickel or nickel compounds can lead to sensitisation and the development of contact dermatitis. Ingestion Flux ingredient(s) Fluorides Can severely irritate and burn the mouth, throat and stomach. Toxic and possibly may be fatal if swallowed. Symptoms include: salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and coma. Ingestion may cause systemic poisoning. Binder: Harmful if swallowed. Silver: Prolonged ingestion of silver compounds may cause a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Copper: Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Zinc: Ingestion of soluble salts of this material may cause abdominal irritation resulting in nausea and vomiting. Tin: Ingestion may be slightly hazardous. Nickel: Acute ingestion of nickel compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache Inhalation Flux ingredient(s) Fluoride fume can cause respiratory irritation and pulmonary edema Binder: Excessive vapor inhalation will lead to central nervous system depression. Silver: Prolonged inhalation of silver compounds may cause a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Copper: If inhaled, may cause sneezing, nausea, weakness, fever. Fumes from heating may cause metal fume fever. Zinc: This material is relatively non-toxic to humans by inhalation. However, acute overexposure to zinc oxide fume may cause metal fume fever, characterized by flulike symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea and vomiting. Tin: Inhalation may be slightly hazardous. Nickel: Hazardous in case of inhalation. Signs & Symptoms of Overexposure: Acute Toxicity: Boric Acid: Symptoms of over-exposure include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Acute overexposure to zinc oxide fume evolved from heating this product may cause metal fume fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Potential chronic health

Flux ingredients: Repeated exposure to fluoride containing dust can result in embrittlement and decalcification of bones and increased calcification of ligaments and vertebrae [fluorosis], stiffness and limitation of motion can result. Symptoms of fluorosis include brittle bones, weight loss, anemia, calcified ligaments, general ill health, joint stiffness, mottling of teeth, and bone damage [osteosclerosis]. Binder: Material may defat the skin on repeated exposure leading to dermatitis. Silver: Chronic exposure may produce argyria, a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Skin contact with silver powder produces localized irritation and/or argyria. Copper Prolonged or repeated exposure to the metal may cause skin and hair discoloration, skin irritation, dermatitis, runny nose, irritation of the mucous membranes. Repeated ingestion may cause: damage to liver, kidneys. Repeated inhalation may cause chronic respiratory disease. Zinc: No evidence of adverse effects due to chronic exposure has been reported. Tin: No evidence of adverse effects due to chronic exposure has been reported. Nickel: Chronic inhalation of nickel or nickel compounds can cause rhinitis, sinusitis, anosmia and in extreme cases perforation of the nasal septum The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified nickel compounds as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) The IARC classified elemental nickel as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The substance is toxic to skin. The substance may be toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, upper respiratory tract. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage Carcinogenicity: This product contains nickel. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified nickel compounds as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) The IARC classified elemental nickel as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Reproductive Toxicity Reproductive Effects Animal ingestion studies in several species, at high doses, indicate that borates cause reproductive and developmental effects. A human study of occupational exposure to borate dust showed no adverse effect on reproduction.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Persons with pre-existing disorders of the liver, kidney, pulmonary function or having Wilson's disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. Routes Of Entry Potential routes of entry include eye contact, skin contact, inhalation of metallic fume and decomposition products from heating this material during the soldering/brazing process. Target Organ Statement Affected target organs eyes, skin, central nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system, bones (fluorosis), calcification of ligaments and vertebrae, teeth, liver, kidneys, mucous membranes, conjunctiva.

Health hazards

Fluorides can cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Overexposure to fluoride dust over prolonged periods can result in fluoride deposition in bones and cartilage as evidenced by X-ray changes [fluorosis] which may be accompanied by stiffness of joints. In use above 500°C [930°F] in the presence of water vapor, hydrogen fluoride gas is evolved. Hydrogen fluoride gas can cause irritation to the respiratory tract, and delayed burns to the eyes and skin. It can also cause fluid in the lungs [pulmonary edema], and death. An uptake of too large quantities of nickel has the following consequences: - Higher chances of development of lung cancer, nose cancer, larynx cancer and prostate cancer - Sickness and dizziness after exposure to nickel gas - Lung embolism, Respiratory failure, Asthma and chronic bronchitis - Birth defects, Heart disorders - Allergic reactions such as skin rashes, mainly from jewelry Nickel fumes are respiratory irritants and may cause pneumonitis. Exposure to nickel and its compounds may result in the development of a dermatitis known as “nickel itch” in sensitized individuals. The first symptom is usually itching, which occurs up to 7 days before skin eruption occurs. The primary skin eruption is erythematous, or follicular, which may be followed by skin ulceration. Nickel sensitivity, once acquired, appears to persist indefinitely. Carcinogenicity- Nickel and certain nickel compounds have been listed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as being reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed nickel compounds within group 1 (there is sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in humans) and nickel within group 2B (agents which are possibly carcinogenic to humans). OSHA does not regulate nickel as a carcinogen. Nickel is on the ACGIH Notice of Intended Changes as a Category A1, confirmed human carcinogen.