Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

US TECHNOLOGY POLYPLUS PLASTIC BLAST MEDIA

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used according to manufacturer' s directions.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Irritating to eyes and skin.
Harmful to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. 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, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  The material may cause severe skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin. Repeated exposures may produce severe ulceration.  

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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

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.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  One ingredient of the product has caused skin sensitization reactions, shown as localized reddening and hives, or may produce respiratory sensitization characterized by asthma-  like symptoms and runny nose.  Inhalation studies indicate that cellulose fibres may be fibrogenic; this finding continues to be the subject of extensive research. Cellulose is not considered an inert substance because:  ·  in rats, it causes granulomatous fibrosing alveolitis at the end of the third month after exposure,  · in rats there was an increase in the secretion of plasminogen activator and interleukin 1 as well as the release of lactate dehydrogenase from macrophages, in a manner similar to asbestos,  · there were increases in the incidence of obstructive lung diseases and bronchial asthma in humans at work and in the residential environment where exposure to cellulose was common,  · the substance may induce free radical production in human leucocytes.  Cotton dust disease, "byssinosis", is well known among cotton mill workers. Cotton dust consists largely of cellulose fibre. Exposure to two components of the total dust, the "respirable" and "medium" fraction correlated significantly with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Inhalation exposure to a concentration of 0.3 to 0.4 mg/m3 of "fly-  free" dust results in a 20% occurrence of byssinosis. "Fly-free" dust is the sum of respirable and medium-length fibres. At 0.46 mg/m3, Grade II byssinosis occurs. A byssinosis (all grades) prevalence of 20%, at 0.3 mg/m3 occurs when the fibre length is less than 15 um (aerodynamic equivalent diameter). Byssinosis is not caused by mechanical irritation but by reactions caused by pharmacologically active substances producing oedema or contraction of the smooth musculature of the airways. The causative agent is suspected to be an endotoxin, in turn, thought to be a cell wall component of bacteria found in cotton. Symptoms of byssinosis include chest tightness, wheezing and dyspnoea. Symptoms usually appear after an absence from work and may subside after 2-days of exposure. As the disease progresses, symptoms may persist for longer periods until they are constant. The individual may eventually exhibit chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Increased physical exertion may produce shortness of breath.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.