Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VIATON BARIFINE, AIRWHITE, BARYTES, CM GRADES

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used according to manufacturer' s directions.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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.  Sulfates are not well absorbed orally, but can cause diarrhea.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

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.  Barium fumes are respiratory irritants. Over-exposure to barium dusts and fume may result in rhinitis, frontal headache, wheezing, laryngeal spasm, salivation and anorexia. Long term effects include nervous disorders and adverse effects on the heart, circulatory system and musculature. Heavy exposures may result in a benign pneumoconiosis.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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.  Barium compounds may cause high blood pressure, airway irritation and damage the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Prolonged exposure may cause a lung inflammation and scarring. Symptoms of this include a worsening dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, increased chest expansion and weakness. Stringy phlegm in the cough appears later, with more difficulty in breathing and a further loss of lung capacity. Barium sulfate does not cause permanent scarring of the lungs.