RheoMinerals RM99

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Warning!

Product definition

This product is a phyllosilicate proprietary organic surface treatment clay; contains <5% by weight of silica.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation? Yes; Skin? No; Ingestion? No

Health hazards

Acute and Chronic) Inhalation: May be irritating to the lungs and cause coughing. May be harmful if inhaled in sufficient quantities. Prolonged exposure to dust may cause lung diseases including silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RM99 Harmful if inhaled and may cause delayed lung injury. Repeated and prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline quartz which may be contained in the dust may cause delayed (chronic) lung injury silicosis. Silicosis is a form of disabling pulmonary fibrosis which can be progressive and may lead to death. Signs and symptoms of exposure include undue breathlessness, wheezing, cough and sputum products. The dust can cause eye, skin, nose, throat, mucous membrane and respiratory irritation by drying out (defatting) the tissues over prolonged exposure. Carcinogenicity: NTP? Yes; IARC Monographs? Yes; OSHA Regulated? Yes Clay, like other naturally occurring minerals, may contain crystalline silica. IARC has concluded that there is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica to humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity of crystalline silica in experimental animals (IARC Class 2A). The NTP has concluded that “silica: Crystalline (respirable)” may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen, based upon evidence for the carcinogenicity of respirable crystalline silica in experimental animals and limited evidence in humans.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Pulmonary function may be reduced by inhalation of respirable crystalline silica that may be in dust, lung scarring produced by such inhalation may lead to progressive massive fibrosis of the lung which may aggravate other pulmonary conditions and diseases and which increases the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. Progressive massive fibrosis may be accompanied by right heart enlargement, heart failure and pulmonary failure. Smoking aggravates the effects of exposure. Eye contact: May cause eye irritation. Skin contact: May cause skin irritation/defatting. Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. May cause mouth, throat and esophageal irritation. Flammable Hazards: Fine particles of dust in sufficient quantity in the air may present an explosion hazard. Minimum explosible concentration (MEC) tested to be 55 g/m3. Reactivity Hazards: This product is not reactive.

Environmental hazards

None known

Classification according to GHS

RM99 Carcinogenicity Category 2 (suspect) Single Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure Category 3 (lung irritation) Single Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure Category 2 (silicosis) Skin Irritant Category 2B Eye Irritant Category 2B Combustible Dust

Hazard statements

Suspect of causing lung cancer via inhalation. May cause respiratory irritation. Causes damage to lungs (silicosis) through prolonged or repeated exposure via inhalation. Causes skin and eye irritation. May form combustible dust concentrations in air.

Prevention

Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Do not breathe dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wear eye/face protection and protective gloves.