Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNICHROME 1093

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used to produce yellow bronze chromate conversion coatings on zinc or cadmium- plated
parts.

SYNONYMS

"zinc conversion coating"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
Very toxic by inhalation.
Causes severe burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause CANCER.
May cause SENSITIZATION by inhalation and skin contact.
May cause heritable genetic damage.
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.
Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce severe 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 severe 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.  The material may produce moderate eye irritation leading to inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce toxic effects; systemic effectsmay result following absorption.  The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Symptoms of exposure may be delayed.  The material may cause 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.  Bare unprotected skin should not be exposed to this material.  Skin contact may result in severe irritation particularly to broken skin. Ulceration known as "chrome ulcers" may develop. Chrome ulcers and skin cancer are significantly related.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Chromium VI exposures have been related to higher incidence of lung cancer.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  Based on experiments and other information, there is ample evidence to presume that exposure to this material can cause genetic defects that can be inherited.  Ample evidence from experiments exists that there is a suspicionthis material directly reduces fertility.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact with the material eye contact with the material and inhalation.  Chronic inhalation exposure may result in nasal ulceration and/orperforation of nasal septum.  Sensitization may give severe responses to very low levels of exposure, i.e. hypersensitivity. Sensitized persons should not be allowed to work in situations where exposure may occur.  Chromium(III) is an essential trace mineral. Chronic exposure to chromium(III) irritates the airways, malnourishes the liver and kidneys, causes fluid in the lungs, and adverse effects on white blood cells, and also increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Chromium (VI) can irritate the skin, eyes and airways. Allergic reactions can involve both the skin and airways, and the compounds can diminish taste and smell, discolor the skin and eyes, cause blood disorders and damage the liver, kidneys, digestive tract and lungs. It predisposes humans to cancers of the respiratory tract and digestive system. Ulceration to the skin can occur, and, chromium(VI) is one of the most allergenic substances known.