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SECTION 2: Hazards identification

ROUTES OF ENTRY: None in its natural solid state. 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. High concentrations of dust may cause irritation to the eyes. Prolonged skin contact with coated steel may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Inhalation of metal particulate or elemental oxide fumes generated during welding, burning, grinding or machining may pose acute or chronic health effects. TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system. EFFECTS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO MATERIAL: MANGANESE & COPPER: Inhalation overexposure to manganese or copper (or zinc coated products) may cause metal fume fever characterized by fever and chills (i.e. flu-like symptoms) which appear 4-6 hours after exposure with no long-term effects. EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO MATERIAL: CHROMIUM: IARC lists certain hexavalent chromium compounds under its Group 1 category - “confirmed human carcinogens” and metallic chromium under its Group 3 category - “not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans”. IRON: Inhalation overexposures may cause a benign pneumoconiosis (siderosis) with few or no symptoms. LEAD: Chronic exposures may cause lead poisoning that can affect the digestive system, nervous system, reproductive systems, muscles and joints. IARC lists lead and its inorganic compounds under its Group 2B category - “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. MANGANESE: Existing studies are inadequate to assess its carcinogenicity. Susceptible to Parkinson’s disease, metal fume fever and kidney damage. NICKEL: IARC lists metallic nickel under its Group 2B category - “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Nickel may cause skin sensitivity. NOTES:  International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations (2008).  3rd Annual Report on Carcinogens as prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).