Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

UNIFRAX REFRACTORY CERAMIC FIBER PRODUCT

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Refractory ceramic fiber product.

SYNONYMS

RCF, "ceramic fiber", "synthetic vitreous fiber (SVF)", "man-made vitreous fiber (MMVF)",
"man-made mineral fiber (MMMF)"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects following ingestion (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse systemic effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material may produce moderate eye irritation leading to inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  All man-made mineral fibres, in common with their natural counterparts, may produce mild irritation and inflammation which results in itching or, in the case of certain sensitive individuals, a slight reddening of the skin. This is due to entirely to a mechanical reaction to the sharp, broken fibre ends and does not involve chemical or allergic effects. Itching and possible inflammation are mechanical reactions to coarse fibres greater than 5 micron in diameter These symptoms occur particularly in folds of skin around wrists, collars and waistbands. Perspiration aggravates the condition. Irritation is accentuated by fibre adhering to sweaty skin at elevated temperatures. Symptoms generally abate within a short time after exposure ceases. When products are handled continually, the skin itching often diminishes.  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.  The material is mildly abrasive and may produce discomfort which results in a temporary skin rash. Discomfort is accentuated by fiber adhering to sweaty skin at higher temperatures.  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

  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  The dust may produce upper respiratory tract discomfort. Nose and throat discomfort may be transitory. Cutting and trimming may result in fiber dislodgment and dust production.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  There is some evidence to provide a presumption that human exposure to the material may result in impaired fertility on the basis of: some evidence in animal studies of impaired fertility in the absence of toxic effects, or evidence of impaired fertility occurring at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which is not a secondary non-  specific consequence of other toxic effects.