MSDS

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Hi-Bor Treated Wood
Page 2 of 3
SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
FLASH POINT METHOD FLAMMABLE LIMITS IN AIR (%) AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE
N/A N/A An airborne concentration of 40 grams (40,000 mg) of dust per
cubic meter of air is often used as the LEL for wood dust.
N/A
NFPA CODES
HEALTH 0
HMIS CODES:
HEALTH 0
FLAMMABILITY 1 FLAMMABILITY 1
REACTIVITY 0 REACTIVITY 0
OTHER N/A PROTECTION N/A*
EXTINGUISHER MEDIA: Water fog, foam, CO2, dry chemical
*For normal use situations. Also see Section VIII on page 3.
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Wear full protective equipment and self-contained air unit.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Wood dust is flammable, combustible and may explode in the presence of an ignition
source. The presence of the borate wood preservative (known fire-retardant chemical) in treated wood dust may reduce the flammability
hazard to some extent.
SECTION V - REACTIVITY DATA
IS THIS CHEMICAL STABLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OF HANDLING/STORAGE (Y/N)? Y
CONDITIONS TO AVOID (REGARDING STABILITY): Avoid open flame.
INCOMPATIBILITY (MATERIALS TO AVOID): Avoid contact with oxidizing agents and drying oils.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Thermal decomposition products include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, aliphatic
aldehydes, resin acids and polyeyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION POSSIBLE (Y/N)? N
CONDITIONS TO AVOID (REGARDING POLYMERIZATION): N/A
SECTION VI - HEALTH HAZARDS
ROUTES OF ENTRY: Inhalation and dermal (skin) are the primary routes of exposure for wood dust in occupational and other settings.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE OVEREXPOSURE: The primary health hazard posted by this product is thought to be
due to inhaling wood dust. The presence of the borate wood preservative in treated wood or wood dust is not expected to affect
the toxicity characteristics of wood dust.
• INHALATION of wood dust may cause unpleasant deposit/obstruction in the nasal passages, resulting in dryness of
nose, dry cough, sneezing and headaches.
• EYE CONTACT with wood dust may cause mechanical irritation.
• SKIN CONTACT with wood dust of certain species can elicit allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals, as
well as mechanical irritation resulting in erythema and hives.
• INGESTION of wood dust is not anticipated to be a significant route of overexposure under normal use conditions.
CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: Wood dust, depending on the species, may cause allergic contact dermatitis with prolonged
exposure to elevated dust levels.
CHEMICAL LISTED AS A CARCINOGEN OR POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN?: While borates are not listed as a carcinogen, wood
dust is listed as a carcinogen The principal health effects reported from occupational exposure to sawdust or wood dust
generated from untreated wood are dermatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, reduced or suppressed mucociliary clearance rates, chronic,
obstructive lung changes, and nasal sinus cancer. Skin and respiratory sensitization have been reported from exposure to
hardwood dust. Epidemiological studies have been reported on carcinogenic risks of employment in the furniture making industry,
the carpentry industry, and the lumber and sawmill industry. IARC has determined that there is sufficient evidence to classify
untreated wood dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans (Ref. Monograph 62).
MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Wood dust may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions or
allergies.
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION: No specific toxicological data is available on the borate treated wood itself. However,
considerable information is available regarding the toxicity of its components, untreated wood and disodium octaborate
tetrahydrate (CAS No. 12280-03-4). The presence of the borate wood preservative in the treated wood or wood dust is not
expected to affect its inherent toxicity characteristics. Therefore, borate treated wood or wood dust should be considered to be
toxicologically equivalent to untreated wood and wood dust. Wood dust has been alleged to cause nasal/paranasal sinus
cancer (certain European hardwood: oak and birch).