Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOEHLER BRIGHT STAR MINER'S CAP LAMP BATTERY (LEAD ACID)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Power source for electric starter motors for mobile and stationary petrol and diesel
engines. Power supply for electric vehicles, fork trucks. Stand by power supplies. Direct
current D.C. power supplies. Use involves discharge then regenerative charging cycle from
external DC power source. CHARGING HAZARD. Completion of charging process includes
evolution of highly flammable and explosive hydrogen gas which is readily detonated by
electric spark. No smoking or naked lights. Do not attach/detach metal clips or operate
open switches during charging process because of arcing/sparking hazard. Overcharging to
excess results in vigorous hydrogen evolution - boiling - which may cause generation of
corrosive acid mist. Large installations i.e. battery rooms must be constructed of acid
resistant materials and well ventilated.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Causes severe burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Harmful by 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

  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.  The material can produce severe chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

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.  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying with cracking,irritation and possible dermatitis following.  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.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Ample evidence exists that developmental disorders are directlycaused by human exposure to the material.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by.  skin contact/eye contact with sulfuric acid (H2SO4).  Acid mists from open cells or overcharging may be inhaled.  Ingestion of battery fluid will cause pain, nausea and abdominal  irritation. Long term exposures to lead-acid cell contents may lead to  lead intoxication.  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.  Lead can cross the placenta, and cause miscarriage, stillbirths and birth defects. Exposure before birth can cause mental retardation, behavioral disorders and infant death. Lead can also cause reduced sex drive, impotence, sterility and damage the sperm of males, increasing the potential for birth defects. Periods in women can also be affected.