Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KAOLIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

In pottery, ceramics, refractories, heat and electrical insulation. Used as a
filler/coating for paper. As a filler in rubber, paints, plastics. Carrier in catalysis,
fertilizers, insecticide powders. Kaolin is highly absorbent and is used for liquid
clarification, ion absorption, decontamination of wastes. Natural Kaolin may be heavily
contaminated with bacteria and requires to be heat sterilized, i.e. at 160C for 1 hour for
medical use. Used in dusting powders, dry disinfectants, anticaking cosmetics; poultices.
Medically used in suspension for treatment of diarrhoea, gastric upsets.

SYNONYMS

Al4-Si4-O10(OH), clay, "bolus alba", "china clay", "porcelain clay", "white bole",
"Argilla Alba", Altowhites, Continental, Dixie, Emathlite, Fitrol, Glomax, Hydrite,
Kaopaous, Langford, McNamee, Parclay, Peerless, "Snow Tex", "Arcilla Blanca", "Kaolinum
leve", "Kaolinum Ponderosum", "Fire Clay", Fireclay, Caolin, Caulim, "hydrated aluminium
silicate kaoline Translink 37 Ekalite", "Engelhard Ansilex"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Considered to be non toxic.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  The dust may produce eye discomfort and abrasive eye inflammation.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  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.  Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of generated dust and skin contact with the material.  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. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Chronic dust inhalation as experienced in mineral extraction has caused  Kaolinosis with heavy lung marking, emphysema, and nodular pneumoconiosis.  Evidence of kaolinosis (pneumoconiosis) was found in 9% of 553 Cornish  china clay workers who had been exposed to kaolin dust for periods  exceeding 5 years, whereas no kaolinosis was observed in workers exposed  for less than 5 years. Workers in more heavily exposed jobs of milling,  bagging and loading showed a prevalence of kaolinosis rising from 6% in  those within between 5 and 15 years exposure to 23% in those exposed for  more than 15 years. Workers intermittently and less heavily exposed in  the older, outdated drying plants required 25 years of massive exposure  before reaching the highest prevalence of 17%. Massive fibrosis was seen  in four workers, and six workers needed antituberculosis chemotherapy.  Preventative measures instituted include preemployment chest examination  and approaches to the problem of dust control.  Sheer, G.; Brit. Jnl. Ind. Med. 21, pp 218-225, 1964  Kaolin may occasionally occur containing crystalline silicas.  Chronic inhalation of high levels of quartz dust may result in silicosis, a  disabling form of pneumoconiosis which may lead to fibrosis, a scarring  of the lining of the air sacs in the lung.