Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOPPERS COAL TAR PITCH (SOLID)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

As a binder in the manufacture of carbon anodes used in the aluminium smelting industry.
As a binder in the manufacture of clay targets for skeet or clay pigeon shooting.

SYNONYMS

"electrode binder pitch", "anode binder pitch", "hard pitch"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
May cause CANCER.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Swallowing of the liquid may cause aspiration into the lungs with the risk of chemical pneumonitis; serious consequences may result. (ICSC13733).  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  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 may produce health damage*.  Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  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 high concentrations of gas/vapor causes lung irritation with coughing and nausea, central nervous depression with headache and dizziness, slowing of reflexes, fatigue and inco-ordination.  Central nervous system (CNS) depression may include general discomfort, symptoms of giddiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, anaesthetic effects, slowed reaction time, slurred speech and may progress to unconsciousness. Serious poisonings may result in respiratory depression and may be fatal.  Inhalation of vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness. This may be accompanied by narcosis, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination and vertigo.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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.  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.  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  The IARC Monograph (Vol 35) concludes that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity in experimental animals of untreated vacuum distillate, acid-treated oils,  and aromatic oils, including extracts from solvent treatment of distillates and the high boiling fraction of catalytically cracked oils.  Long term exposure to coal tar dusts may produce chronic bronchitis or lung cancer. Dust or fume contact with skin may result in photosensitization of skin areas and sunburn on frequent exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation. Workers exposed to hot tar and pitch have developed liver dysfunction. Long term coal-tar pitch workers may develop tumors (which can become malignant) of the skin and scrotum. There may be local or widespread hyperpigmentation of the body surface. Ulceration of the cornea, conjunctivitis and eyelid papilloma have been described in workers chronically exposed to coal tar pitches, and there may also be an increased rate of kidney cancer. Millwrights and welders in a stamping plant, occupationally exposed to coal-tars and coal-tar pitch showed a greater incidence of lukemia and cancers of the lung and digestive organs.  Coal tar fumes or dusts have been implicated in the development of occupational cancers, with a minimum time of exposure of 1-5 years. Occupational cancers can develop many years after exposure ends. Retired workers show a death rate due to lung/pleural cancers of about twice the expected rate. Higher incidence and mortality of respiratory disease and cancer were also found in aluminum smelting workers and coke oven workers.  Constant or exposure over long periods to mixed hydrocarbons may produce stupor with dizziness, weakness and visual disturbance, weight loss and anemia, and reduced liver and kidney function. Skin exposure may result in drying and cracking and redness of the skin. Chronic exposure to lighter hydrocarbons can cause nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, bone marrow dysfunction and psychiatric disorders as well as damage the liver and kidneys.