Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VANADUR-PLUS 9010

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Pigment for use in lacquers and plastics.

SYNONYMS

pigment, lacquer, plastic

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic to aquatic organisms.

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

  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.  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 dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  The inhalation of vanadium dust can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, with cough, wheezing, bronchitis, phlegm with blood stains, and blackening of the tongue. Internal symptoms may include loss of appetite, anemia, nausea, headache, sleep difficulties, nervousness, dizziness, kidney damage, tremor, psychic disturbances and blindness.  

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.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Chronic bismuth poisoning causes decreased appetite, weakness, rheumatic pain, diarrhea, fever, foul breath, gum and skin inflammation. Even after exposure ceases there may be a blue line ("bismuth line") of the gums years later. Jaundice and bleeding from the conjunctiva rarely occurs, but kidney damage and protein in the urine may occur. Absence of urination and death is possible.  Owing to limited gastro-intestinal absorption, administration of insoluble bismuth compounds by mouth does not usually give rise to acute toxic effects. They are excreted in the faeces. Stomatitis (ulceration of mouth parts) may result following ingestion.  Absorbed bismuth salts permeate the body fluids and tissues and are excreted mainly in the urine but some bismuth is retained in tissues. It is deposited in the metaphyses of young bones and can pass the placenta into the fetus.  Effects of acute bismuth intoxication are gastro-intestinal disturbance, anorexia, headache, malaise, skin reactions, discoloration of mucous membranes and mild jaundice. Albuminuria (albumin in the urine) is an indication of kidney damage. Bismuth may cause a reverse encephalopathy (brain disease) that takes 2 to 10 weeks to reverse spontaneously.