Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZIRCAR ALUMINA/CERAMIC FIBER COMPOSITE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Refractory sheet, boards and cylinders.

SYNONYMS

"Ceramic Fiber Composite", "Refractory sheet boards and cylinders", RS100, "Refractory
sheet", "Refractory boards", "Refractory cylinders"

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

  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.  

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

  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.  

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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal route of exposure is by skin contact and by dust  inhalation. Though considered a low hazard material, irritation may result  from contact because of the abrasive nature of the aluminium oxide particles.  Pre-existing medical conditions may be aggravated by exposure. The synthetic,  amorphous silicas are believed to represent a very greatly reduced silicosis  hazard compared to crystalline silicas. When heated to high temperature,  amorphous silica can produce crystalline silica on cooling. Treat as a  nuisance dust. Boron compounds can be absorbed through damaged skin or body  cavity tissues. Prolonged absorption leads to loss of weight, decrease in  blood proteins, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, moderate changes of the  liver and kidneys and vascular disorders.