Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KENNAMETAL KT195M, KT315, KT195MY02

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Metalworking tools, metallurgical products, powders and inserts.

SYNONYMS

"Refractory Metal Carbide, Cermet"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
May cause CANCER.
May cause SENSITIZATION by inhalation and skin contact.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Nickel is not well absorbed orally. Excretion in the urine is complete after about 4-5 days. If injected, nickel is rapidly distributed to various organs.  Molybdenum, an essential trace element, can in large doses hamper growth and cause loss of appetite, listlessness and diarrhea. Anemia also occurs, and other symptoms include graying of hair, shrinking of the testicles, reduced fertility and milk production, shortness of breath, incoordination and irritation of the mucous membranes. Symptoms of copper deficiency are also seen.  Tantalum exerts no action on body tissues and fluids. When compounds of tantalum (tantalates) are administered by injection it appears to be deposited in the lungs, with degeneration of lung tissue. Tantalum can remain in the body for many years.  In toxic doses soluble cobalt salts produce stomach pain and vomiting, flushing of the face and ears, rash, ringing in the ears, nervous deafness and reduced blood flow to the extremities.  If given orally, tungsten can accumulate in the spleen, kidney and liver. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, stoppage of breathing and circulatory collapse leading to death. Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, incoordination, trembling and shortness of breath can occur; weight loss is also common.  

EYE

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons.  Contact with the eye, by metal dusts, may produce mechanical abrasion or foreign body penetration of the eyeball.  

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.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  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 health 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.  Effects on lungs are significantly enhanced in the presence of respirableparticles.  Bronchial and alveolar exudate are apparent in animals exposed to molybdenum by inhalation. Molybdenum fume may produce bronchial irritation and moderate fatty changes in liver and kidney.  Cobalt poisoning can cause inflammation of the terminal airways (bronchioles), and cause lethargy and death within hours.  The inhalation of small particles of metal oxide results in sudden thirst, a sweet, metallic our foul taste, throat irritation, cough, dry mucous membranes, tiredness and general unwellness. Headache, nausea and vomiting, fever or chills, restlessness, sweating, diarrhea, excessive urination and prostration may also occur. After exposure is removed, recovery occurs within 24-36 hours.  Tungsten is relatively inert and produces few respiratory effects.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or long-term occupational exposure is likely to produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  Repeated exposures, in an occupational setting, to high levels of fine- divided dusts may produce a condition known as pneumoconiosis which is the lodgement of any inhaled dusts in the lung irrespective of the effect. This is particularly true when a significant number of particles less than 0.5 microns (1/50,000 inch), are present. Lung shadows are seen in the X-ray. Symptoms of pneumoconiosis may include a progressive dry cough, shortness of breath on exertion, increased chest expansion, weakness and weight loss. As the disease progresses the cough produces a stringy mucous, vital capacity decreases further and shortness of breath becomes more severe. Pneumoconiosis is the accumulation of dusts in the lungs and the tissue reaction in its presence. It is further classified as being of noncollagenous or collagenous types. Noncollagenous pneumoconiosis, the benign form, is identified by minimal stromal reaction, consists mainly of reticulin fibres, an intact alveolar architecture and is potentially reversible.  Tantalum can cause some degree of lung scarring and chronic inflammationof the nose.  Long term exposure to titanium and several of its compounds produces lung scarring and chronic bronchitis. Breathing is impaired and cardiac changes with right heart enlargements occur. There is an increased chance of developing cancers of the respiratory tract.