Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH CHLORIDE REMOVAL CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used for the determination of chemical oxygen demand.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Not normally a hazard due to the physical form of product. The material is a physical irritant to the gastrointestinal tract.  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.  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.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  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

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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.  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.