Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VESUVIUS ZYACOAT

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Refractory coating. Dust from old, fired refractories may be more hazardous than new
materials. Use respiratory protection when rebuilding or demolishing old furnaces.

SYNONYMS

"refractory brick", firebrick, "thermal insulating block"

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.  Not normally a hazard due to physical form of product.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

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.  Excessive use or prolonged contact may lead to defatting, dryingand irritation of 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.  Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles.  Used, fired refractory materials are potentially more harmful than new refractories. Silica containing materials when exposed to high temperatures maybe devitrified (i.e. converted or part converted to crystalline forms) - this may present a higher hazard if inhaled. Crystalline silicas are more likely to produce lung changes (fibrosis) and have a much lower occupational exposure levels (OELs) than non crystalline silicas. Exposure to fired refractories is more likely when repairing, rebuilding or demolishing old structures.  Devitrified, after-service alkaline earth silicate (AES) wools and refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) insulation containing crystalline silica, show no adverse reactions in toxicity assays. CMS fibres heated to 1000 deg. C. for 2 weeks were not cytotoxic to macrophage-like cells at concentrations up to 320 ug/cm2. In the same test, samples of crystalline quartz were significantly active at 20 ug/cm2. These findings are consistent with IARC's evaluation, which states "Crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)" and additionally notes, in respect of devitrified wools and fibres that "carcinogenicity in humans was not detected in all industrial circumstances studied. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent characteristics of the crystalline silica or on external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs" (IARC Monograph Vol 68, 1997).  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  · Hazard relates to dust released by sawing, cutting, sanding, trimming or other finishing operations.  Inhalation of dusts containing crystalline silicas may lead to silicosis. Effects are cumulative, with scarring, impairment of breathing, emphysema, and restriction and obstruction of lung function. Chronic symptoms include decreased lung capacity and chest infections. Scarring often does not appear until after many months of exposure, and smoking increases the risk. Silicosis can progress even when exposure is removed. It has been claimed that silicosis can increase the risk of cancer of the lung and bronchi developing. Some jurisdictions require health surveillance be conducted on workers occupationally exposed to crystalline silica.  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.