Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KSL ANTI-SET-OFF SPRAY POWDER S5

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Spacer between freshly printed sheets in the stack. The powder prevents the setting- off
on the reverse side of the printed matter and enables a fast drying of the ink.

SYNONYMS

"starch powder", "grain size 15 - 20 - 30 - 45"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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 to be non toxic.  Starch has such a low oral acute toxicity that rats given 10-20% of their body weight, show only minimal effects. This may not be true of modified starches but given their use in foods as stabilisers and thickeners, there is probably little cause for concern.  An abnormal craving for starch (amylophagia), during pregnancy, is recognised as a common form of eating disorder in certain localities. In one study the incidence was as high as 35%. Some women retain the habit for years and may ingest several kilograms of starch daily.  Since starch, in such "addicts", accounts for the bulk of the diet, the commonly observed iron-deficiency anaemia is probably the result of the practice and not its cause. Less common complications include parotid gland enlargement and partial intestinal obstruction due to starch concretions (gastroliths). Withdrawal reverse these sequelae.  

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

  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 cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the 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.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Some workers may develop chronic occupational dermatitis (generally mild) through the handling of starch products.  When starch is used as a lubricant in surgical gloves, small amounts, released into the patient during the course of surgery, have resulted in granulomas and peritonitis.  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.