5xxx Series Alloys

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview

Appearance/Odor

Solid sheet, plate, wire, rod, bar, extrusion, forgings, etc. with no odor

Potential health effects

Acute Eye: May cause irritation. Acute Skin: May cause irritation. Acute Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation. Acute ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation if swallowed. Aspiration into the lungs may occur during ingestion or vomiting, resulting in lung injury. of Ingredients Chromium dust Can cause irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Chromium and trivalent chromium IARC/NTP: Not classified by IARC. Nickel dust and fumes Can cause irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Eye contact: Can cause inflammation of the eyes and eyelids (conjunctivitis). Skin contact: Can cause sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis. Chronic overexposures: Can cause perforation of the nasal septum, inflammation of the nasal passages (sinusitis), respiratory sensitization, asthma and scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). Nickel compounds Associated with lung cancer, cancer of the vocal cords and nasal cancer. IARC/NTP: Listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a 1 human carcinogen" by the NTP. Listed as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. Nickel metal IARC/NTP: Listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the NTP. Listed as possibly carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 2B)*. Manganese dust or fumes Chronic overexposures: Can cause inflammation of the lung tissue, scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), central nervous system damage, secondary Parkinson's disease and reproductive harm in males. Silicon, inert dusts Chronic overexposures: Can cause chronic bronchitis and narrowing of the airways. Additional information: Studies with experimental animals by injection have found lesions on the lungs. Aluminum dust, fines and fumes Low health risk by inhalation. ACGIH: Listed as nuisance dust (milling, cutting, grinding). Copper Inhalation: Inhalation of dusts and fumes of metallic copper causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract, congestion of nasal mucous membranes, ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, and pharyngeal congestion. Inhalation of copper fumes may give rise to metal fume fever (high temperature, metallic taste, nausea, coughing, general weakness, muscle aches, and exhaustion). Ingestion: Copper ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea. Ingestion of large doses may cause stomach and intestine ulceration, jaundice, and kidney and liver damage. Skin Contact: Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain. Exposure to copper dust may cause a greenish-black skin discoloration. Eye Contact: Small copper particles in the eyes may cause irritation, discoloration, and damage. Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated exposure to copper can discolor skin and hair and irritate the skin; may cause mild dermatitis, runny nose, and irritation of the mucous membranes. Repeated ingestion may damage the liver and kidneys. Repeated inhalation can cause chronic respiratory disease. Some products are supplied with a lubricant/oil coating or have residual oil from the manufacturing process. Oil Can cause irritation of skin. Skin contact (prolonged or repeated): Can cause dermatitis. Mineral oils, untreated or mildly refined Studies with experimental animals by skin contact have found skin tumors. IARC/NTP: Listed as "known to be a human carcinogen" by the NTP. Listed as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. Of Additional Compounds Which May Be Formed During Processing Hexavalent chromium (Chrome VI) Can cause irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Skin contact: Can cause irritant dermatitis, allergic reactions and skin ulcers. Chronic overexposures: Can cause perforation of the nasal septum, respiratory sensitization, asthma, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), lung damage, kidney damage, lung cancer, nasal cancer and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. IARC/NTP: Listed as "known to be a human carcinogen" by the NTP. Listed as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. Magnesium oxide fumes Can cause irritation of eyes and respiratory tract. Acute overexposures: Can cause nausea, fever, chills, shortness of breath and malaise (metal fume fever). Zinc oxide fumes Can cause irritation of upper respiratory tract. Acute overexposures: Can cause nausea, fever, chills, shortness of breath and malaise (metal fume fever). Zinc oxide dust Expected to be a low health risk by inhalation. 2 Silica, amorphous Acute overexposures: Can cause dryness of eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Alumina Low health risk by inhalation. ACGIH: Listed as nuisance dust. If the product is heated well above ambient temperatures or machined, oil vapor or mist may be generated. Oil vapor and mist can cause irritation of respiratory tract. Acute overexposures: Can cause bronchitis, asthma, headache, central nervous system effects (nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination) and drowsiness (narcosis). Welding, plasma arc cutting, and arc spray metalizing can generate ozone. Ozone can cause irritation of eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Acute overexposures: Can cause shortness of breath, tightness of chest, headache, cough, nausea and narrowing of airways. Effects are reversible on cessation of exposure. Acute overexposures (high concentrations): Can cause respiratory distress, respiratory tract damage, bleeding and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Effects can be delayed up to 1-2 hours. Additional information: Studies with experimental animals by inhalation have found genetic damage, reproductive harm, blood cell damage, lung damage and death. Welding fumes IARC/NTP: Listed as possibly carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 2B)*.

Additional information

In one study, occupational asthma was associated with exposures to fumes from aluminum welding. Plasma arc cutting can generate oxides of nitrogen. Oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2) Can cause irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Acute overexposures: Can cause reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen (methemaglobin). Can cause cough, shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. Effects may be delayed up to 2-3 weeks. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Chronic overexposures: Can cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). *IARC Classifications Group 1: The agent is carcinogenic to humans. There is sufficient evidence that a causal relationship existed between exposure to the agent and human cancer. Group 2B: The agent is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Generally includes agents for which there is limited evidence in the absence of sufficient evidence in experimental animals.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Exposure to the Product Asthma, chronic lung disease, and skin rashes. 3. Hazardous Chemical Composition Component CAS#