Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZINC CHLORIDE FUME

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Incidental.

SYNONYMS

"brazing/ soldering fume"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation of freshly formed zinc oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and generally between 0.02 to 0.05 microns may result in "metal fume fever", with symptoms resembling influenza. Symptoms may be delayed for up to 12 hours and begin with the sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet, metallic or foul taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include upper respiratory tract irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of the mucous membranes, lassitude and a generalised feeling of malaise. Mild to severe headache, nausea, occasional vomiting, fever or chills, exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating, diarrhoea, excessive urination and prostration may also occur. Tolerance to the fumes develops rapidly, but is quickly lost. All symptoms usually subside within 24-36 hours following removal from exposure. Leucocytosis, a transient increase in white blood cell counts, is reported as a common finding in metal fume fever but is not known to be common amongst welders. Severe over-exposure to zinc oxide, following inhalation of fumes or finely divided dusts may result in bronchitis or pneumonia; a bluish skin tint may be present.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact.  with the material and inhalation of generated dust.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.