Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNION CARBIDE CARBONACEOUS CEMENT - POWDER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

One component of a carbonaceous bonding agent. The powder is mixed with a companion
container of liquid to produce a paste of the required consistency.

SYNONYMS

"VCAR C-34 powder", "VCAR C-37 powder", "VCAR C-38 powder", "VCAR C-39 powder",
"refractory cement", "graphite cement"

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Not normally a hazard due to the physical form of product. The material is a physical irritant to the gastrointestinal tract.  

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.  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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of generated dust and skin contact with the material.  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.  Graphite workers have reported symptoms of headaches, coughing, depression,  low appetite, dyspnoea (difficult breathing) and black sputum.  A number of studies indicate that graphitosis is a progressive and  disabling disease and that the presence of crystalline silica and some  silicates as graphite impurities have a pronounced synergistic effect.  Workers suffering from graphite pneumoconiosis have generally worked in  the industry for long periods, i.e. 10 years or more, although some cases  have been reported after as little as four years.