SDS

Date
SDS
Prepared:
October 31, 2015
3131
,
2015
2015
Page 4 of 5
9. PHYSICAL A
ND
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance: Brittle solid; color may vary
Odour: Odourless
Melting Point: Not Available (>1000
0
F)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Vapor Density (Air = 1): Not applicable
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Specific Gravity (H2) = 1): 1.6 to 2.6
Percent Volatile by
V
olume: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate (Et
hyl
Ether = 1): Not applicable
Viscosity: Not applicable
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability: Stable in current form.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid contact with acids (e.g., Hydrochloric, acetic, hydrofluoric, etc.)
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Avoid contact with acids (e.g., Hydrochloric, acetic, hydrofluoric, etc.)
Hazardous Polymeriz ation: Will not occur.
Hazardous Decompo
sition
Products: None.
11. TOXICOLOG ICAL INFORMATION
Potential Health Effects
Primary Routes of Exposure
None for intact natural stone products. Inhalation and potential exposure to eyes, hands, or other body parts if contact is made with broken
tile, and/or during procedures involving the cutting of products, and/or for operations involving the removal of installed products.
Acute Effects
No acute effects from exposure to intact natural stone products are known. Working with broken or cut natural stone produces a potential for
cuts to the hands and exposed body parts. Acute effects such as eye irritation may occur if associated with high dust operations such as dry
cutting or during the removal of installed product. In very rare cases, symptoms of acute silicosis, a form of silicosis (a nodular pulmonary
fibrosis) associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica, may develop following acute exposure to extremely dusty environments
caused by generation of tile dust. Signs such as labored breathing and early fatigue may indicate silicosis; however, these same symptoms can
arise from many other causes.
Chronic Effects
No chronic effects are known for exposure to intact natural stone products. Long-term, continual exposure to respirable crystalline silica at or
above established permissible occupational exposure limits may lead to the development of silicosis, a nodular pulmonary fibrosis (NPF).
NPFs are also associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, emphysema, and other airway diseases. This type of chronic exposure to
silica dust may also result in the development of autoimmune disorders, chronic renal disease, and other adverse health effects.
Recent epidemiologic studies demonstrate that workers exposed to elevated silica concentrations have a significant risk of developing chronic
silicosis. Signs such as labored breathing and early fatigue may indicate silicosis; however, these same symptoms can also arise from many
other causes.
Potential Adverse Interactions
Silicosis may be complicated by severe mycobacterial or fungal infections and result in tuberculosis (TB). Epidemiologic studies have
established that silicosis is a risk factor for developing TB. Any existing respiratory or pulmonary diseases may be complicated by exposure
to respirable crystalline silica. Smoking may increase the risk of adverse effects if done in conjunction with occupational exposure to silica
dust at or above permissible exposure limits.
Carcinogen Status
Respirable crystalline silica is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC) as a Group I Carcinogen (carcinogenic to
humans). The National Toxicology Program (9th Report) lists respirable crystalline silica as “Known to be a Human Carcinogen”.
USDOL/OSHA and NIOSH have recommended that crystalline silica be considered a potential occupational carcinogen.
Overview of Animal Testing
Short term experimental studies of rats have found that intratracheal instillation of quartz particles leads to the formation of discrete silicotic
nodules in rats, mice and hamsters.