Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LEAD FUMES

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Fumes appear upon strong heating of metallic lead or its alloys.

SYNONYMS

"airborne lead", "solder fume"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.

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

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  

  Primary routes of exposure are usually by ingestion and inhalation.  Symptoms of exposure include headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances,  abdominal pains and decreased appetite. Overexposure to lead in the form of  dust has toxic effects on the lungs and kidneys and on the nervous system  resulting in mental disturbances and anaemia.  Skin absorption is not considered to be a significant route of exposure.  Worker exposure to lead must be kept to a minimum, especially in cases  where lead is worked at temperatures whereby lead vapours are evolved e.g.  metal refining.  Lead is an accumulative poison and exposure even to small amounts can raise  the body's content to toxic levels. Potential adverse effects on the  offspring of pregnant workers have been cited in the literature.                    (Source: NIOSHTIC)