GEMCOWOOL Fiber Products

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW WARNING! POSSIBLE CANCER HAZARD BY INHALATION. MAY CAUSE SKIN, EYE, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION. MAY BE HARMFUL IF INHALED. HAZARD DEPENDS ON DURATION AND LEVEL OF EXPOSURE. OFF-WHITE TO WHITE ODORLESS MINERAL FIBER SHAPES. SEE SECTION 11 FOR DETAILS.

Hazard statements

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS) RATINGS: Health 1*, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0, Personal Protection Index X

Potential health effects

TARGET ORGANS: Skin, eyes, and lungs. INHALATION: If inhaled in sufficient quantity, may cause respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms may include scratchiness of the nose or throat, cough or chest discomfort. Total Number of Pages: 9 - 1 - EYE CONTACT: Slightly to moderately irritating. Fibers may be abrasive; prolonged contact may cause damage to the outer surface of the eye. SKIN CONTACT: Slightly to moderately irritating. Exposure may result in irritation, inflammation, rash or itching. INGESTION: If ingested in sufficient quantity, may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

Potential chronic health

Studies to date, involving occupationally exposed workers, have not identified any increased incidence of respiratory disease. Long-term, high-dose exposure to specially-sized, rodent respirable fiber has resulted in the development of fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in rats & hamsters. See Sections 11 & 16 of this MSDS for more information.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Pre-existing medical conditions, including dermatitis, asthma or chronic lung disease may be aggravated by exposure; individuals who are atopic (with a history of allergies) may experience greater amounts of skin and respiratory irritation.

2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture

Although studies, involving occupationally exposed workers, have not identified any increased incidence of respiratory disease, results from animal testing have been used as the basis for hazard classification: The Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens (1994), prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), classified respirable RCF and glasswool as substances reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ceramic fiber and fibrous glasswool as possible human carcinogens (Group 2b) based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals, but insufficient data in humans. Mineral Wool that is used in GEMCOWOOL® products is classified as Group 3. The State of California, pursuant to Proposition 65, The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, has listed "ceramic fibers (airborne fibers of respirable size)" as a material known to the State of California to cause cancer. The Commission of The European Communities (DG XI) has classified RCF as substances which should be regarded as if they are carcinogenic to man. IARC has also classified respirable crystalline silica, a possible byproduct of RCF devitrification following sustained, high-temperature (>2192°F) use, as a substance known to be carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).