Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KMC CARB

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Bridging agent.

SYNONYMS

"CaCO3 limestone", "carbonic acid calcium salt"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Considered to be non toxic.  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

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The dust may produce eye discomfort and abrasive eye inflammation.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

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.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  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

  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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.  The material may contain up to 3% of the crystalline silica quartz.  Crystalline silicas activate the inflammatory response of white blood cells after they injure the lung epithelium. Chronic exposure to crystalline silicas reduce lung capacity and predispose to chest infections. A large part of the crystals accumulates in the lungs. Silicosis can occur, a condition where irreversible scarring of the lung occurs. Symptoms do not appear until months to years after exposure. Smoking increases this risk. Most simple cases of silicosis do not produce symptoms, but they can progress and eventually cause a tuberculosis-like syndrome which can be fatal. When silicosis is advanced, there is an increased risk of lung cancer and lymphoma. Laws in some areas require those exposed to silica to be under health surveillance.