Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VARITYPER TANK CLEANER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Tank cleaner for Headliner Varityper.

SYNONYMS

"Headliner Varityper Cleaner", "Sulphuric acid cleaner", "potassium dichromate cleaner",
"Chromic/sulfuric cleaner."

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
Toxic by inhalation.
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.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.
Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  Sensitization may result in allergic dermatitis responses includingrash, itching, hives or swelling of extremities.  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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  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.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/eye contact and inhalation of vapor/spray mist.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing skin condition.  Sensitization may give severe responses to very low levels of exposure, i.e. hypersensitivity. Sensitized persons should not be allowed to work in situations where exposure may occur.  Skin contact may result in severe irritation particularly to broken skin. Ulceration known as "chrome ulcers" may develop. Chrome ulcers and skin cancer are significantly related.  Chronic inhalation exposure may result in nasal ulceration and/orperforation of nasal septum.  Chromium VI exposures have been related to higher incidence of lung cancer.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  The material is considered to be harmful by all exposure routes. It causes  severe burns to skin and eyes and mists are highly irritating to eyes,  mucous membranes and respiratory tract and high concentrations may lead to  pulmonary oedema.  Contamination of eyes can cause permanent injury.  Repeated or prolonged inhalation of mists can cause erosion of teeth and  inflammation of the upper respiratory tract leading to chronic bronchitis.  increase in the incidence of lung cancer. [ILO Encyclopaedia]