Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VESUVIUS LGA70064 (FORMERLY VESUVIUS MIX 7086)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A refractory mix used as a heat containment lining for industrial furances and associated
production

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

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 produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  Not normally a hazard due to physical form of product.  The dust may produce eye discomfort and abrasive eye inflammation.  

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.  

INHALED

  Not normally a hazard due to physical form of product.  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

  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).