Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

WOLVERINE ULTRA FLUX SILVER BRAZING FLUX, ULTRA FLUX II

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Welding/brazing/soldering.

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Toxic if swallowed.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Ingestion or percutaneous absorption of boric acid causes nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and violent vomiting, sometimes bloody, which may be accompanied by headache and weakness, and characteristic erythematous (abnormally red) lesions on the skin. In severe cases, shock with fall in arterial pressure, tachycardia (increase in heart rate) and cyanosis (blue skin colour) may occur. Marked central nervous system irritation, oliguria (small volume of urine), and anuria (absence of or defective excretion of urine) may be present.  Borate poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and pain in the upper abdomen. Often persistent vomiting occurs, and there may be blood in the feces. There may also be weakness, lethargy, headache, restlessness, tremors and convulsions. All borates cause similar effects; the lethal dose is over 30 grams. Poisoning initially stimulates the central nervous system before causing depression, as well as disturbing the digestive system, causing skin eruptions, and damage to the liver and kidneys. Borate is mostly eliminated from the body via the kidneys.  

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.  Boric acid is not absorbed through intact skin but is readily absorbed through areas of damaged, abraded, burned skin, areas of active dermatitis.  Fluorides are easily absorbed through the skin and cause death of soft tissue and erode bone. Healing is delayed and death of tissue may continue to spread beneath skin.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  

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 produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Inhaling corrosive bases may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms include cough, choking, pain and damage to the mucous membrane. In severe cases, lung swelling may develop, sometimes after a delay of hours to days. There may be low blood pressure, a weak and rapid pulse, and crackling sounds.  Borates, as represented by borax, may act as simple respiratory irritants. In a study of the respiratory effects of borax dust on active borax workers, the incidence of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and abnormalities of chest radiographs were related to estimated exposures. Dryness of the mouth, nose or throat, dry cough, nose bleeds, sore throat, productive cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness were related to exposures of 4 mg/m3 or more.  Acute effects of fluoride inhalation include irritation of nose and throat, coughing and chest discomfort. A single acute over-exposure may even cause nose bleed. Pre-existing respiratory conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis may be aggravated by exposure. Occupational asthma may result from exposure.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  Chronic boric acid poisoning is characterized by mild gastrointestinal irritation, loss of appetite, disturbed digestion, nausea, possibly vomiting and a hard blotchy rash. Dryness of skin, reddening of tongue, loss of hair, conjunctivitis, and kidney injury have also been reported.  [Occupational Diseases].  Borate can accumulate in the testes and deplete germ cells and cause withering of the testicles, according to animal testing. Hair loss, skin inflammation, stomach ulcer and anemia can all occur. Repeated swallowing or inhalation irritates the stomach, causes a loss of appetite, disturbed digestion, nausea and vomiting, red rash, dry skin and mucous membranes, reddening of the tongue, cracking of the lips, inflamed conjunctiva, swelling of the eyelids and kidney injury. Prolonged ingestion causes effects to the reproductive system in both males and females.