Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

JAMES HARDIE CERAMIC TILE UNDERLAY

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Internal/external wall cladding, flooring, roofing or fencing.

SYNONYMS

internal, external, wall, cladding, flooring, roofing, fencing

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause CANCER by inhalation.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  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

  The material can produce 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 chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  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.  Handling wet cement can cause dermatitis. Cement when wet is quite alkaline and this alkali action on the skin contributes strongly to cement contact dermatitis since it may cause drying and defatting of the skin which is followed by hardening, cracking, lesions developing, possible infections of lesions and penetration by soluble salts.  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

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  Inhalation of vapors or aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles.  Acute silicosis occurs under conditions of extremely high silica dust exposure particularly when the particle size of the dust is small. The disease is rapidly progressive and spreads widely through the lungs within months of the initial exposure and causing deaths within 1 to 2 years.  Cellulose, after a single intratracheal dose (15 mg per animal) brought about fibrosing granulomatous bronchioloalveolitis and an increase of IgA production in the bronchioalveolar lavage. Fibrosing alveolitis showed moderate progression as a function of time. Injury of Type I pneumocytes and incomplete repair of Type II pneumocytes were detected. The damage of alveolar epithelium initiated and activated a series of processes that led to definite pulmonary alterations and pulmonary fibrosis leading to disintegration of the alveolo-capillary morphological functional unit.  Tatrai, E. et al: Journal of Applied Toxicology; 16(2) 129-135 (1996)Some health effects associated with wood, cotton, flax, jute and hemp particles or fibres are not attributable to cellulose content but to other substances and/or impurities.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.  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.  On the basis of epidemiological data, it has been concluded that prolonged inhalation of the material, in an occupational setting, may produce cancer in humans.  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.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.