Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WATERCO FREE STYLE FILTER POWDER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Filter powder for the filtration of swimming pool water.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

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.  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

  The dust may produce eye discomfort and abrasive eye inflammation.  

SKIN

  Irritation and skin reactions are possible with sensitive 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.  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.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  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.  Acute silicosis occurs under conditions of extremely high silica dust exposure particularly when the particle size of the dust is small. The disease is rapidly progressive and spreads widely through the lungs within months of the initial exposure and causing deaths within 1 to 2 years.  Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  On the basis of epidemiological data, it has been concluded that prolonged inhalation of the material, in an occupational setting, may produce cancer in humans.  Crystalline silicas activate the inflammatory response of white blood cells after they injure the lung epithelium. Chronic exposure to crystalline silicas reduce lung capacity and predispose to chest infections. A large part of the crystals accumulates in the lungs. Silicosis can occur, a condition where irreversible scarring of the lung occurs. Symptoms do not appear until months to years after exposure. Smoking increases this risk. Most simple cases of silicosis do not produce symptoms, but they can progress and eventually cause a tuberculosis-like syndrome which can be fatal. When silicosis is advanced, there is an increased risk of lung cancer and lymphoma. Laws in some areas require those exposed to silica to be under health surveillance.  Where worker dust exposure potential is high, periodic examinations with  an emphasis on lung dysfunctions are to be recommended.