Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZINC ANTIMONIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Thermoelectric devices.

SYNONYMS

Sb2-Zn, ZnSb2

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Soluble zinc salts produces irritation and corrosion of the alimentary tract with pain, and vomiting. Death can occur due to insufficiency of food intake due to severe narrowing of the esophagus and pylorus.  Antimony poisoning causes similar symptoms to arsenic poisoning although vomiting is more prominent. There may be changes in the rhythm of the heart beat. The insoluble salts are less dangerous.  

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

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Skin contact with antimony compounds may result in redness and severe irritation with the formation of itchy papules, pustules, skin lesions/ small septic blisters (antimony spots) within a few hours.  Rhinitis may also result from dermal contact.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  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

  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material, during the course of normalhandling, may be harmful.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  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.  Inhalation of antimony can cause breathing difficulties and gastrointestinal upset including sore throat, shallow breathing, dizziness, weight loss, gum bleeds and anemia. Lung swelling and congestion can occur. Damage can happen to the heart, liver and kidneys,  with heart failure causing death.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  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.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to antimony and its compounds may produce inflammation of the mouth cavity, dry throat, metallic taste, gum infection, perforation of the nasal septum and throat, laryngitis, headache, difficulty breathing, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anemia, weight loss, tightness and pain in the chest, sleeplessness, muscular pain and weakness, dizziness, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Degenerative changes of the liver and kidney may occur. Chronic exposure to antimony compounds may result in itchiness, spots and pus blisters around sweat glands, Workers exposed to antimony can develop obstructive lung disease. Antimony crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk. There may be an increased incidence of spontaneous late abortions, premature births, and gynecological problems among female antimony smelter workers. Antimony may be associated with an increased incidence of cancers of the lung and chest.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.