HBF
Flammability | 0 | |
Toxicity | 2 | |
Body Contact | 1 | |
Reactivity | 0 | |
Chronic | 0 | |
SCALE: Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Moderate=2 High=3 Extreme=4 |
Paper filler.
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.
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 causing smarting, pain and redness.
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. 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.
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. Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual. Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles. 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.
Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts. 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. 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. Symptoms may appear 8 to 18 months after initial exposure.