Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WOOD'S METAL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Fusible alloy used mainly in sprinkler systems.

SYNONYMS

"Bi, Cd, Pb, Sn", "bismuth alloy base, Bi50, Pb25, Cd12, Sn12", "bismuth base, cadmium,
lead, tin alloy", "tin alloy, nonbase, Bi50, Pb25, Cd12, Sn12 (L-PbBi50Sn12.5Cd12.5)",
"lead alloy, nonbase Bi50, Pb25, Cd12, Sn12(L-PbBi50Sn12.5Cd12.5)", "cadium alloy,
nonbase Bi50, Pb25, Cd12, Sn12 (L-PbBi50Sn12.5Cd12.5)", "wood metal", "fusible eutectic
alloy"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
May cause CANCER.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation and if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Strong evidence exists that the substance may cause irreversible but non-lethal mutagenic effects following a single exposure.  Overexposure is unlikely in this form.  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.  Owing to limited gastro-intestinal absorption, administration of insoluble bismuth compounds by mouth does not usually give rise to acute toxic effects. They are excreted in the faeces. Stomatitis (ulceration of mouth parts) may result following ingestion.  Absorbed bismuth salts permeate the body fluids and tissues and are excreted mainly in the urine but some bismuth is retained in tissues. It is deposited in the metaphyses of young bones and can pass the placenta into the fetus.  Effects of acute bismuth intoxication are gastro-intestinal disturbance, anorexia, headache, malaise, skin reactions, discoloration of mucous membranes and mild jaundice. Albuminuria (albumin in the urine) is an indication of kidney damage. Bismuth may cause a reverse encephalopathy (brain disease) that takes 2 to 10 weeks to reverse spontaneously.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

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.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Cadmium fume may cause acute irritation of the respiratory passages, bronchitis, chemical pneumonia or excessive fluid in the lungs. There may be a latent period of several hours between exposure and onset of symptoms. The initial effects of over-exposure may resemble metal fume fever. A single exposure to very high levels of fume may be fatal.  Lead fume is toxic and acts as a cumulative poison. Regular blood testing should be considered for workers who are regularly exposed.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  Ample evidence exists that developmental disorders are directlycaused by human exposure to the material.  Ample evidence from experiments exists that there is a suspicionthis material directly reduces fertility.  Exposure to the material may result in a possible risk of irreversible effects. The material may produce mutagenic effects in man. This concern is raised, generally, on the basis ofappropriate studies using mammalian somatic cells in vivo. Such findings are often supported by positive results from in vitro mutagenicity studies.  Chronic bismuth poisoning causes decreased appetite, weakness, rheumatic pain, diarrhea, fever, foul breath, gum and skin inflammation. Even after exposure ceases there may be a blue line ("bismuth line") of the gums years later. Jaundice and bleeding from the conjunctiva rarely occurs, but kidney damage and protein in the urine may occur. Absence of urination and death is possible.  Lead, in large amounts, can affect the blood, nervous system, heart, glands, immune system and digestive system. Anemia may occur. If untreated muscles may become paralyzed, and there may be brain damage. Symptoms include joint and muscle pain, weakness in the back of the forearm and wrist and in the shin muscles, headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting, blue line on gums, sleep disturbance and a metallic taste in the mouth. The pressure in the brain may increase with high doses,  and cause brain damage, coma, and death. Early signs include loss of appetite and weight, constipation, tiredness and irritability, headache, weakness. Later there may be vomiting,  nervousness, and muscle pains in the arms and legs. Serious cases cause severe vomiting, inco-ordination, stupor, permanent eye damage, high blood pressure, multiple nerve disorders of the head resulting in paralysis and loss of reflexes, delirium, convulsions and coma. The kidneys may become irreversibly damaged, and the nervous system may become affected causing mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and jerks and seizures.