Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

TALC

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Technical grade is used as extender, filler pigment in paint, rubber, ink, coated papers
and in plastics. Used in dry and liquid lubricants. Component of steatite and heat and
electrical insulating ceramics. Natural Talc may be heavily contaminated with bacteria,
e.g. clostridium tetani, cl.welchii, bacillus anthracis, and BP grades require to be heat
sterilised, i.e. at 160C for 1 hour, for use as body talc, dusting powder. Medical uses of
sterilised product are as dusting powder, tablet filler.

SYNONYMS

Mg3-Si4-H2-O12, H1/2-O3-Si.3/4Mg, "magnesium silicate", hydrous, soapstone, "hydrated
magnesium silicate", phylosilicate, "American Westmin", "Rhapsody 1R/2R/3R//4R", "talcum
powder", "talc powder", asbestine, "Metro talc 4604", "Mistron Star Super Frost",
"Mistron Vapour", Nytal, "Purtalc USP", "Stewhite supreme dense talc", "Alpine talc USP,
BC 141", "LO micron talc 1", "French chalk", Desertalc, Emtal, "Fibrene Talc", "Talc TW45,
Talc EW33, Talc EW45, Talc EW63, Ultrafine 5, ", "Superfine 15, Hi-Fil 11-45, ",
"Superfine 15, Hi-Fil 11-45, ", "Talc QD45, Talc QD30, Talc T4S, Talc T6S", "Talc
T3EW, Talc TS15, Talc TM, Talc K, Talc TXF, Talc TX15M, Talc TL", "Talc TLF, Talc
TL80, Talc TL15, Talc TCU, Talc TCP, Talc TCM, ", "Ta;c TCMC, Talc TC15, Talc
TW45A", "Vantalc 6H-II/ 6H-11"

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 cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

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.  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

  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

  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  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.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Repeated exposures, in an occupational setting, to high levels of fine- divided dusts may produce a condition known as pneumoconiosis which is the lodgement of any inhaled dusts in the lung irrespective of the effect. This is particularly true when a significant number of particles less than 0.5 microns (1/50,000 inch), are present. Lung shadows are seen in the X-ray. Symptoms of pneumoconiosis may include a progressive dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, increased chest expansion, weakness and weight loss. As the disease progresses the cough produces a stringy mucous, vital capacity decreases further and shortness of breath becomes more severe. Pneumoconiosis is the accumulation of dusts in the lungs and the tissue reaction in its presence. It is further classified as being of noncollagenous or collagenous types. Noncollagenous pneumoconiosis, the benign form, is identified by minimal stromal reaction, consists mainly of reticulin fibres, an intact alveolar architecture and is potentially reversible.  Long term exposure may show wheezing, weakness, productive cough, limited  chest expansion, scattered rales, cyanosis.