Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KMC CALCIUM CARBONATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Wide industrial use as whiting filler in paints, putty, plastics, rubber. Available in a
wide range of trade names and fineness grades. Source of lime, quicklime. Used to
neutralise acids in waste treatment. Coarse ground limestone is used in agriculture as
Garden Lime (misnomer). As an opacifying agent in paper. Raw material for Portland cement.
Available as B.P. grade, which has been heat sterilised at 160C for 1 hour, to destroy
bacteria present in as mined material. Used medicinally in antacids, calcium supplements,
tabletting filler. Component of tooth powder. Pure grades used as Food Additive 170 for
texturing and as carrier.

SYNONYMS

"Kota Minerals and Chemicals", CaCO3, "Whiting chalk ground limestone calcite marble
chips garden lime"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.

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 to be non toxic.  Small amounts or low dose rates are regarded as.  practically non-harmful.  The material may be mildly discomforting.  if swallowed in large quantity.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The dust is.  discomforting.  and.  abrasive.  to the eyes.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

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.  The material may be mildly discomforting.  and.  abrasive.  to the skin.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

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.  The dust is.  moderately.  discomforting.  to the upper respiratory tract.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Considered to be non toxic.  Primary route of exposure is usually by.  inhalation of generated dust.  Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying with cracking,irritation and possible dermatitis following.  Pure calcium carbonate does not produce pneumoconiosis probably being  eliminated from the lungs slowly by solution.