Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HAUSMANNITE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

The mineral is the source of manganese and all its compounds; largely used in the alloying
of manganese steel. Welding flux ingredient.

SYNONYMS

"manganosite manganese mineral", "Mn3O4 manganese sesquioxide", "trimanganese tetroxide",
"WIA Raw Material Code 1146"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Irritating to eyes.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.

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.  

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.  Not considered an irritant through normal use.  

INHALED

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of generated dust and skin contact/eye contact.  Inhalation of dust or fumes may result in lung damage and increased  incidence of respiratory infection. Prolonged or repeated inhalation may  cause systemic poisoning. Chronic poisoning may occur over a 6-24 month  period. Symptoms include apathy, anorexia, headache, weakness in the legs  and fatigue; followed by clumsiness, speech problems and other central  nervous system effects. Advanced cases have shown fixed facial expression,  spastic gait and falling.  Progressive and permanent disability can occur from chronic manganese  poisoning if it is not treated, but it is not fatal.  Prolonged or repeated eye contact may result in conjunctivitis.