Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WELDWELL SILVALOY NO. 1 POWER FLUX

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

General purpose soldering flux.

SYNONYMS

"soldering flux"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic if swallowed.
Causes severe burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May impair fertility.
May cause harm to the unborn child.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce severe chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Acute potassium poisoning after swallowing is rare, because vomiting usually occurs and renal excretion is fast. Potassium causes a slow, weak pulse, irregularities in heart rhythm, heart block and an eventual fall in blood pressure. Breathing initially becomes faster but the muscles of breathing eventually become paralyzed. There can be loss of appetite, extreme thirst, increased volumes of urine, fever, convulsions and gastric disturbances; death may then occur due to failure of breathing and inflammation of the stomach and bowel.  Borate poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and pain in the upper abdomen. Often persistent vomiting occurs, and there may be blood in the feces. There may also be weakness, lethargy, headache, restlessness, tremors and convulsions. All borates cause similar effects; the lethal dose is over 30 grams. Poisoning initially stimulates the central nervous system before causing depression, as well as disturbing the digestive system, causing skin eruptions, and damage to the liver and kidneys. Borate is mostly eliminated from the body via the kidneys.  Fluoride causes severe loss of calcium in the blood, with symptoms appearing several hours later including painful and rigid muscle contractions of the limbs. Cardiovascular collapse can occur and may cause death with increased heart rate and other heart rhythm irregularities. The brain and kidneys may be affected. Other toxic effects include headache, increased saliva output, jerking of the eyeball and dilated pupils, lethargy, stupor, coma and rarely, convulsions.  

EYE

  The material can produce severe chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  

SKIN

  The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Fluorides are easily absorbed through the skin and cause death of soft tissue and erode bone. Healing is delayed and death of tissue may continue to spread beneath skin.  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 vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Inhalation of small amounts of dust or fume over long periods may causepoisoning.  Acute effects of fluoride inhalation include irritation of nose and throat, coughing and chest discomfort. A single acute over-exposure may even cause nose bleed. Pre-existing respiratory conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis may be aggravated by exposure. Occupational asthma may result from exposure.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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.  

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  There is some evidence to provide a presumption that human exposure to the material may result in impaired fertility on the basis of: some evidence in animal studies of impaired fertility in the absence of toxic effects, or evidence of impaired fertility occurring at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which is not a secondary non-  specific consequence of other toxic effects.  Borate can accumulate in the testes and deplete germ cells and cause withering of the testicles, according to animal testing. Hair loss, skin inflammation, stomach ulcer and anemia can all occur. Repeated swallowing or inhalation irritates the stomach, causes a loss of appetite, disturbed digestion, nausea and vomiting, red rash, dry skin and mucous membranes, reddening of the tongue, cracking of the lips, inflamed conjunctiva, swelling of the eyelids and kidney injury. Prolonged ingestion causes effects to the reproductive system in both males and females.  Extended exposure to inorganic fluorides causes fluorosis, which includes signs of joint pain and stiffness, tooth discoloration, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, anemia, weakness and general unwellness. There may also be frequent urination and thirst. Redness, itchiness and allergy-like inflammation of the skin and mouth cavity can occur. The central nervous system may be involved.