Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

ZINC DICHROMATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Base for bright yellow/ gold electroplate finish for indoor use. Regeant

SYNONYMS

Cr2-H2-O7.Zn, "zinc dichromate (VI)", "zinc dichromate (VI)", "zinc bichromate", "zinc
chromium oxide", "chromic acid (H2Cr2O7), zinc salt"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
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 seriously damaging to the health of the individual; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal.  Chromate salts are corrosive and produce cellular damage to tissue. Ingestion may produce inflammation of the digestive tract, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Chromates cause kidney damage and blood cell damage.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  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 may produce serious health damage*.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is sufficient evidence to suggest that this materialdirectly causes cancer in humans.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Chromium(III) is an essential trace mineral. Chronic exposure to chromium(III) irritates the airways, malnourishes the liver and kidneys, causes fluid in the lungs, and adverse effects on white blood cells, and also increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Chromium (VI) can irritate the skin, eyes and airways. Allergic reactions can involve both the skin and airways, and the compounds can diminish taste and smell, discolor the skin and eyes, cause blood disorders and damage the liver, kidneys, digestive tract and lungs. It predisposes humans to cancers of the respiratory tract and digestive system. Ulceration to the skin can occur, and, chromium(VI) is one of the most allergenic substances known.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  Welding or flame cutting of metals with zinc or zinc dust coatings may result in inhalation of zinc oxide fume; high concentrations of zinc oxide fume may result in "metal fume fever"; also known as "brass chills", an industrial disease of short duration. [I.L.O] Symptoms include malaise, fever, weakness, nausea and may appear quickly if operations occur in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.  Chronic inhalation exposure may cause ulceration, even lesions of the nasal septum. Asthmatic attacks may occur with sensitisation.  The reported excesses of lung cancer for cohorts exposed to zinc chromates is consistent with the results from studies of workers exposed in the chromate production industry.