Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WOOD DUST SOFTWOOD

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Absorbent, insulation, fuel, source of anode carbon.

SYNONYMS

Sawdust, "Wood Flour", "Powdered Wood", "GE Material D5Y2", "Alcoa Wood Dust", "Cedar
Lebanon", "Douglas Fir", Hemlock, Larch, Pine, Spruce, Yew

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

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).  conjunctivitis.  

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.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing skin condition.  

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.  Sensitization reactions may appear suddenly after repeatedsymptom free exposures.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  Inhalation of vapor may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is sufficient evidence to suggest that this materialdirectly causes cancer in humans.  

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Various woods are able to induce allergies, both of the immediate onset type in woodwork which causes a respiratory syndrome, and of the delayed type which results in eczema from exposure to dusts and direct contact. Cross-reaction is common. Certain alkaloids are contained in some species, causing headache, anorexia, slow heart rate and breathing difficulties. Conjunctivitis is also possible. Allergic reactions are aggravated by fungi and bacteria associated with wood. Cancers of the respiratory tract seem to be more common in those professions associated with the use of wood. This seems to be true for both hardwood and soft wood.