Ready Mixed Concrete (Concrete)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

WARNING Corrosive-Causes severe burns. Toxic-Harmful by inhalation. (Contains crystalline silica) Use proper engineering controls, work practices. and personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to wet or dry product. Read MSDS for details. Emergency Unhardened concrete is an odorless semi-fluid, flowable, granular paste of varying color Overview : and texture . It is not combustible or explosive. Exposure of sufficient duration to wet concrete can cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin, eye, respiratory tract) damaqe due to chemical (caustic) burns, includinq third deqree burns.

Potential health effects

Eye Contact Concrete may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation. Eye contact with (acute): wet concrete can cause moderate eye irritation, chemical bums and blindness. Eye exposures require immediate first ad and medical attention to prevent significant damage to the eye. Direct contact can cause irritation before mechanical abrasion. Skin contact Wet unhardened concrete and concrete dust may cause dry skin, discomfort, irritation, (acute): severe burns, and dermatitis. Burns: Exposure of sufficient duration to wet unhardened concrete can cause serious, potential irreversible damage to skin, eye, respiratory and digestive tracts due to chemical (caustic) burns, including third degree bums. A skin exposure may be hazardous even if there is no pain or discomfort . Dermatitis: Wet unhardened concrete is capable of causing dermatitis by irritation and allergy. Skin affected by dermatitis may include symptoms such as redness, itching, rash, scaling, and cracking. Sensitization: Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by sensitization to hexavalent chromium (chromate) present in concrete. The reaction can range from a mild rash to severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to the first contact with wet unhardened concrete. Others may develop allergic dermatitis after years of repeated contact with wet concrete. Ingestion: Expected to be practically non-toxic. Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation and blockage . Inhalation May result , depending on the degree of the exposure , from exposure to dust generated (general): from cutting, grinding, crushing, or driving hardened concrete. Inhalation (acute): Breathing dust may cause nose, throat lung or mucous membrane irritation, including choking. Inhalation of high levels of dist can cause chemical burns to the nose, throat and lungs. Inhalation Risk of injury depends on duration and level of exposure. (chronic): Silicosis: This product contains crystalline silica. Prolonged or repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica from this product can cause silicosis, and other seriously disabling and fatal diseases. Carcinogenicity : Concrete is not listed as a carcinogen by IARC or NTP; however , concrete contains trace amounts of crystalline silica and hexavalent chromium which are classified by IARC and NTP as known human carcinoqens. Autoimmune Some studies show that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (without silicosis) or that Disease: the disease silicosis may be associated with the increased incidence of several autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma (thickening of skin), systemic lupus ervthematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and diseases affectinq the kidnevs.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Individuals with lung disease (e.g. bronchitis, emphysema , COPD,pulmonary disease) can be aggravated by exposure to concrete dust. Exposure: Concrete MSDS-Sequatchie-0608.doc 2 of 5