Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

RESIDUAL OILS, PETROLEUM, THERMOCRACKED

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Fuel oil.

SYNONYMS

"thermocracked residuum", "thermocracked residues"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

INHALED

  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  Hydrogen sulfide poisoning can cause increased secretion of saliva, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, giddiness, headache, vertigo, memory loss, palpitations, heartbeat irregularities, weakness, muscle cramps, confusion, sudden collapse, unconsciousness and death due to paralysis of breathing (at levels above 300 parts per million). The "rotten egg" odor is not a good indicator of exposure since odor fatigue occurs and odor is lost at over 200 ppm. The gas can enter the body through a punctured ear drum and even wearing some respiratory protection. Immediate supportive care is essential. Ensure medical help is addressed as part of the site emergency plan and that employees who may be accidentally exposed are made aware of the existence of such a plan.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  

  High boiling residues of petroleum process can produce both benign and malignant skin tumors, according to animal testing. They may contain significant concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  Long term low level exposure to hydrogen sulfide may produce headache, fatigue, dizziness,  irritability and loss of sexual desire. These symptoms may also result when exposed to hydrogen sulfide at high concentration for a short period of time.  Oil may contact the skin or be inhaled. Extended exposure can lead to eczema, inflammation of hair follicles, pigmentation of the face and warts on the soles of the feet. Exposure to oil mists can cause asthma, pneumonia and scarring of the lungs. Oils have been linked to cancer of the skin and scrotum. Compounds that are less viscous and with smaller molecular weights are more dangerous. There may be liver damage and the lymph nodes may be affected; heart inflammation can also occur at high doses.