Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOPPERS TANALITH CP PASTE WOOD PRESERVATIVE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Industrial pressure impregnation treatment of timber for protection against beetle and
insect attack and fungal decay. 85% material may separate on storage and is preferably
diluted to 40% with water within 3 months of delivery. Operators should be trained in
procedures for safe use of this material. DO NOT use until supplied directions for use
have been read and understood.

SYNONYMS

CCA, "C.C.A. Multisalt Tanalith paste (85% active) copper chrome arsenic"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful in contact with skin.
Toxic if swallowed.
Very toxic by inhalation.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause CANCER.
May cause SENSITIZATION by inhalation and skin contact.
May cause heritable genetic damage.
May impair fertility.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Bare unprotected skin should not be exposed to this material.  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

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  Based on experiments and other information, there is ample evidence to presume that exposure to this material can cause genetic defects that can be inherited.  Ample evidence exists from experimentation that reduced human fertility is directly caused by exposure to the material.  Ample evidence exists, from results in experimentation, that developmental disorders are directly caused by human exposure to the material.  

  The principal routes of exposure are by skin contact/absorption  and inhalation of mist/ vapour.  Health problems are mainly due to pentavalent arsenic and hexavalent  chromium used in the treating process rather than the treated timber.  Arsenic poisoning may result from ingestion, or inhalation of mists,  spray or contaminated dust.  The mixture may cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and cramps. High doses  produce violent gastroenteritis, oesophageal pain, cold clammy skin,  convulsions, coma and death.  Long-term exposure to arsenic and its inorganic salts may produce loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, low fever, persistent headache, pallor, weakness and phlegm. Skin effects include redness, eczema, pigmentation, diffuse hair loss, scaling of the palms and soles, sloughing, brittle nails, white lines or bands on the nails, loss of hair and nails, and localized swelling. Kidney damage can occur and liver enlargement with jaundice may develop into cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), with fluid in the abdomen. Nervous system effects involving the extremities (numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, inco-ordination) may also occur. Arsenic is well-known to cause cancer in humans.  Inhalation may cause restlessness, cyanosis, asthma-like effects and  perforation of nasal septum.  Dusts can cause severe irritation of eyes, respiratory tract and chronic  ulceration of the skin.  [Worksafe Aust.]  Peripheral neuropathy frequently shows in survivors of acute poisoning.  Symptoms usually start a few weeks after the acute poisoning and recovery is  slow. Arsenic is a cumulative poison. [ILO Encyclopaedia]  BE AWARE: Repeated minor exposures with only mild symptoms may have serious cumulative poisoning effect.  Workers in treatment plants or who handle wet CCA treated timber, should  be provided with regular medical checks, with determination of urinary  arsenic and chromium levels. [Manufacturer].