Calcium oxide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability: 0 Toxicity: 0 Body Contact: 3 Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Reactivity: 0 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW 1 of 8 RISK Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. EYE The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating. If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage. SKIN The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin. Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Irritation caused by calcium oxide is a result of local liberation of heat and dehydration of tissues which occurs on "slaking" of the small size particles and the resulting alkalinity of the slaked product. Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material. Solution of material in moisture on the skin, or perspiration, may markedly increase skin corrosion and accelerate tissue destruction. Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected. INHALED If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons. Inhalation of calcium oxide may produce inflammation of the respiratory passages and ulceration and perforation of the septum. Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled. The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by inhalation" nor has it been designated as "irritating to the respiratory system". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence.

Potential chronic health

Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems. Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung.