ALL-STATE BRAZING AND SOLDERING ALLOYS

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview: Metallic wires, rods, flux coated rods or strip in varying colors. These products are normally not considered hazardous as shipped. Gloves should be worn when handling to prevent cuts and abrasions and contaminating hands with product dust. Some of these products contain nickel, which is classified as toxic by prolonged inhalation, a skin sensitizer and a suspect carcinogen. In the form that nickel is present in these products it does not contribute to a hazard classification of the products. Avoid eye contact or inhalation of dust from some of these products. Skin contact is normally no hazard but should be avoided to prevent possible allergic reactions. Skin contact may cause an allergic reaction to individuals sensitized to nickel metals. Persons with a pacemaker should not go near brazing or soldering operations until they have consulted their doctor and obtained information from the manufacturer of the device. When these products are used in a brazing or soldering process, the most important hazards are heat, radiation, electric shock and brazing and soldering fumes. Heat: Spatter and melting metal can cause burn injuries and start fires. Radiation: Arc rays can severely damage eyes or skin. Electricity: Electric shock can kill. Fumes: Overexposure to brazing and soldering fumes may result in symptoms like metal fume fever, dizziness, nausea, dryness or irritation of the nose, throat or eyes. Chronic overexposure to brazing and soldering fumes may affect pulmonary function. Prolonged inhalation of nickel, chromium and cadmium compounds above safe exposure limits can cause cancer. Overexposure to manganese and manganese compounds above safe exposure limits can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, including the brain, symptoms of which may include slurred speech, lethargy, tremor, muscular weakness, psychological disturbances and spastic gait. Some individuals may develop blue-gray skin pigmentation from exposure to silver (argyria). Cadmium may cause reproductive effects. Flame When used with combustible gas equipment (e.g., oxy-acetylene torch), read the use and safety information for that Processing: equipment.