Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WACKER 0147096 PRODUKTGRUPPE WDS800 INSULATION BOARD

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Thermal insulation in kilns, furnaces. Available in sheets of 50 mm thickness and 1000 x
650 mm size. Note: After high temperature service amorphous silica will be transformed
into crystalline forms e.g. quartz and cristobalite.

SYNONYMS

"structural insulation", "insulating lining board"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Not normally a hazard due to the physical form of product. The material is a physical irritant to the gastrointestinal tract.  

SKIN

  Irritation and skin reactions are possible with sensitive skin.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of dust may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

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 route of exposure is usually by inhalation of generated dust.  · Hazard relates to dust released by sawing, cutting, sanding, trimming or other finishing operations.  Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying with cracking,irritation and possible dermatitis following.  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.  Used, fired refractory materials are potentially more harmful than new refractories. Silica containing materials when exposed to high temperatures maybe devitrified (i.e. converted or part converted to crystalline forms) - this may present a higher hazard if inhaled. Crystalline silicas are more likely to produce lung changes (fibrosis) and have a much lower occupational exposure levels (OELs) than non crystalline silicas. Exposure to fired refractories is more likely when repairing, rebuilding or demolishing old structures.  Devitrified, after-service alkaline earth silicate (AES) wools and refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) insulation containing crystalline silica, show no adverse reactions in toxicity assays. CMS fibres heated to 1000 deg. C. for 2 weeks were not cytotoxic to macrophage-like cells at concentrations up to 320 ug/cm2. In the same test, samples of crystalline quartz were significantly active at 20 ug/cm2. These findings are consistent with IARC's evaluation, which states "Crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)" and additionally notes, in respect of devitrified wools and fibres that "carcinogenicity in humans was not detected in all industrial circumstances studied. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent characteristics of the crystalline silica or on external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs" (IARC Monograph Vol 68, 1997).