Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNASCO COPPER ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND WITH TEFLON

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Anti- seize compound.

SYNONYMS

"galling corrosion fusion inhibitor"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  A metallic taste, nausea, vomiting and burning feeling in the upper stomach region occur after ingestion of copper and its derivatives. The vomitus is usually green/blue and discolors contaminated skin. Acute poisonings from ingestion are rare due to their prompt removal by vomiting. Should vomiting not occur, or is delayed systemic poisoning may occur producing kidney and liver damage, wide-spread capillary damage, and be fatal; death may occur after relapse from an apparent recovery. Anemia may occur in acute poisoning.  

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).  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  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.  Exposure to copper, by skin, has come from its use in pigments, ointments, ornaments, jewellery, dental amalgams and IUDs and as an antifungal agent and an algicide. Although copper algicides are used in the treatment of water in swimming pools and reservoirs, there are no reports of toxicity from these applications. Reports of allergic contact dermatitis following contact with copper and its salts have appeared in the literature, however the exposure concentrations leading to any effect have been poorly characterised. In one study, patch testing of 1190 eczema patients found that only 13 (1.1%) cross-  reacted with 2% copper sulfate in petrolatum. The investigators warned, however, that the possibility of contamination with nickel (an established contact allergen) might have been the cause of the reaction. Copper salts often produce an itching eczema in contact with skin. This is, likely, of a non-allergic nature.  Excessive use or prolonged contact may lead to defatting, dryingand irritation of sensitive skin.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Fumes from burning PTFE-containing materials are irritating to the upper respiratory tract and may be harmful if exposure is prolonged. When heated for a long time a very small amount of hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride and perfluoroisobutylene is generated. The higher the temperature the greater is the decomposition rate.  Symptoms of exposure to hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl fluoride include burning sensation,  cough, dizziness, headache, labored breathing, nausea, shortness of breathe, sore throat and vomiting. Symptoms may be delayed. These substances are corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation may produce lung oedema. Prolonged exposures may produce hypocalcaemia High exposures may be fatal. Medical observation is indicated in the event of such exposures.  Symptoms of exposure to perfluoroisobutylene include cough, shortness of breathe, sore throat. Symptoms may be delayed. Symptoms of lung oedema often do not manifest until a few hours have passed and may be aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, or by the doctor authorised by him/ her, should be considered.  Overheated or burnt PTFE evolves highly irritating and corrosive hydrogen fluoride gas with small amounts of highly toxic carbonyl fluoride. Polymer decomposition starts at 400 deg. C. with rapid degradation at 540 deg. C.. Decomposition products are complex.  Solutions of hydrogen fluoride gas in mucous fluids form highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid so that inhalation of decomposition products can cause symptoms of choking, coughing and severe eye, nose and throat irritation. After a symptomless period of 1-2 days, exposed individuals may experience a set of symptoms described as "polymer fume fever"; this is a temporary flu-like illness with fever, chills and, sometimes, a cough and difficult breathing which lasts for approximately 24 hours.  Inhalation or skin contact with carbonyl fluoride vapour may cause irritation with discomfort and rash. In addition, carbonyl fluoride vapours may produce eye corrosion with corneal and conjunctival ulceration, nose and throat irritation, or temporary irritation of the lungs producing cough discomfort, difficult breathing and shortness of breath.  Individuals with pre-existing lung diseases may have increased susceptibility to the toxic effects of thermal decomposition products.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is sufficient evidence to suggest that this materialdirectly causes cancer in humans.  Oil may contact the skin or be inhaled. Extended exposure can lead to eczema, inflammation of hair follicles, pigmentation of the face and warts on the soles of the feet. Exposure to oil mists can cause asthma, pneumonia and scarring of the lungs. Oils have been linked to cancer of the skin and scrotum. Compounds that are less viscous and with smaller molecular weights are more dangerous. There may be liver damage and the lymph nodes may be affected; heart inflammation can also occur at high doses.  Repeated exposures, in an occupational setting, to high levels of fine- divided dusts may produce a condition known as pneumoconiosis which is the lodgement of any inhaled dusts in the lung irrespective of the effect. This is particularly true when a significant number of particles less than 0.5 microns (1/50,000 inch), are present. Lung shadows are seen in the X-ray. Symptoms of pneumoconiosis may include a progressive dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, increased chest expansion, weakness and weight loss. As the disease progresses the cough produces a stringy mucous, vital capacity decreases further and shortness of breath becomes more severe. Pneumoconiosis is the accumulation of dusts in the lungs and the tissue reaction in its presence. It is further classified as being of noncollagenous or collagenous types. Noncollagenous pneumoconiosis, the benign form, is identified by minimal stromal reaction, consists mainly of reticulin fibres, an intact alveolar architecture and is potentially reversible.