Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOPPERS TANALITH E TREATED TIMBER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used in building and for structures, fences etc, particularly where below ground borer and
rot resistant timber is required. Sawing and sanding produces dust which contains
preservative chemicals. Tanalith E treatment protects timber against fungal and insect
attack.

SYNONYMS

Ecowood, "tanalised timber", "termite proof timber"

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.  

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

  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.  Repeated exposure may cause skin cracking, flaking or drying following normal handling and use.  

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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  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.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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 limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.