Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

JW HARRIS ALSOLDER 500 SOLDER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Special purpose solder, principally for aluminium to aluminium and most other metals.
Joins made from fusion heat supplied from substrate. · Material is mixed and used in
accordance with manufacturers directions.

SYNONYMS

"Tin based Stick Solders", "85/15 / tinzinc solder"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

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.  Overexposure is unlikely in this form.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  The dust may produce eye discomfort and abrasive eye inflammation.  

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.  Irritation and skin reactions are possible with sensitive skin.  

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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  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.  Inhalation of freshly formed zinc oxide particles sized below 1.5 microns and generally between 0.02 to 0.05 microns may result in "metal fume fever", with symptoms resembling influenza. Symptoms may be delayed for up to 12 hours and begin with the sudden onset of thirst, and a sweet, metallic or foul taste in the mouth. Other symptoms include upper respiratory tract irritation accompanied by coughing and a dryness of the mucous membranes, lassitude and a generalised feeling of malaise. Mild to severe headache, nausea, occasional vomiting, fever or chills, exaggerated mental activity, profuse sweating, diarrhoea, excessive urination and prostration may also occur. Tolerance to the fumes develops rapidly, but is quickly lost. All symptoms usually subside within 24-36 hours following removal from exposure. Leucocytosis, a transient increase in white blood cell counts, is reported as a common finding in metal fume fever but is not known to be common amongst welders. Severe over-exposure to zinc oxide, following inhalation of fumes or finely divided dusts may result in bronchitis or pneumonia; a bluish skin tint may be present.  Poorly absorbed from the gut, tin salts are most likely to cause poisoning if injected. Tin is highly toxic, producing diarrhea, muscle paralysis, twitching and nervous damage.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact with the molten material and inhalation of vapor from heated material.  Lead can cross the placenta, and cause miscarriage, stillbirths and birth defects. Exposure before birth can cause mental retardation, behavioral disorders and infant death. Lead can also cause reduced sex drive, impotence, sterility and damage the sperm of males, increasing the potential for birth defects. Periods in women can also be affected.  Lead, in large amounts, can affect the blood, nervous system, heart, glands, immune system and digestive system. Anemia may occur. If untreated muscles may become paralyzed, and there may be brain damage. Symptoms include joint and muscle pain, weakness in the back of the forearm and wrist and in the shin muscles, headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting, blue line on gums, sleep disturbance and a metallic taste in the mouth. The pressure in the brain may increase with high doses,  and cause brain damage, coma, and death. Early signs include loss of appetite and weight, constipation, tiredness and irritability, headache, weakness. Later there may be vomiting,  nervousness, and muscle pains in the arms and legs. Serious cases cause severe vomiting, inco-ordination, stupor, permanent eye damage, high blood pressure, multiple nerve disorders of the head resulting in paralysis and loss of reflexes, delirium, convulsions and coma. The kidneys may become irreversibly damaged, and the nervous system may become affected causing mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and jerks and seizures.  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact with the material and inhalation of vapor from heated material.  Inhalation of vapor is more likely at higher than normal temperatures.  Chronic exposure to tin dusts and fume can result in substantial amounts being deposited in the lungs and result in reduced lung function and difficulty breathing.  Over exposure to tin is not expected if manufacturers directions  are followed.  Over exposure to metal oxide fumes may cause metal fume fever, which is an  acute allergic reaction characterized by a foul taste in the mouth 4-8 hours  after exposure followed by respiratory irritation, coughing, drying of  mucous membranes, muscular pains, chills, general weakness and nausea 10-12  hours after exposure. Effects of metal fume fever are reversible; i.e.  disappear on removal from exposure.     [ILO ENCYCLOPAEDIA]  Metallic dusts generated by the industrial process give rise to a number of potential health problems. The larger particles, above 5 micron, are nose and throat irritants. Smaller particles however, may cause lung deterioration. Particles of less than 1.5 micron can be trapped in the lungs and, dependent on the nature of the particle, may give rise to further serious health consequences.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.