Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNIMIN COAL DUST

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used e.g. in tar enamel paint manufacture or as foundry moulding sand additive to improve
surface finish of castings, reduce scabbing, metal penetration, piping, internal porosity
and pinholes.

SYNONYMS

"anthracite dust", "coal powder", "powdered coal", "coal, anthracite, devolatized",
"coal dust - paint grade"

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.  

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 usually by inhalation of dust.  Prolonged or repeated inhalation of dust may result in pneumoconiosis  (lung disease caused by inhaling dust). Coalworkers pneumoconiosis exists  in two forms, simple and complicated, the latter is often referred to as  progressive massive fibrosis or as masses pseudotumorales and develops in  lungs already affected by simple pneumoconiosis.  Studies on the harmful effects of dust in bituminous coal mines have shown  that coal mitigates the effect of silica (quartz) on the pulmonary tissue.                     [ILO Encyclopaedia]  Long term exposure to dust is considered an aggravating factor for chronic  simple bronchitis.