Material Safety Data Sheet: Graniterock Shale
Section 1: Product Information
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Trade Name: |
Graniterock Shale |
| Producer's Name: |
Graniterock Company |
| Address: |
411 Walker Street
PO Box 50001
Watsonville, CA 95077-5001 |
| Phone Number: |
831.768.2000 |
| Date Prepared: |
October 1999 |
| Prepared by: |
Paul C. Lessard |
Section 2: Hazardous Ingredients
Section 3: Hazard Identification
Overview: Warning! Do not breathe dust containing crystalline silica. Chronic overexposure may cause lung damage and may lead to lung cancer. When handling or
cleaning, wear proper respiratory protection (Section 8) and use dustless procedures including vacuum and/or water (Section 7).
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Inhalation |
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Silicosis: |
Acute silicosis may occur under conditions of extremely high respirable crystalline silica (quartz) exposure. Silicosis is a fibrosis (scarring) of the
lungs, and may be progressive.
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| Cancer: |
Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled from occupational sources is classified as carcinogenic to humans. |
| Autoimmune disorder: |
There is evidence that exposure to respirable crystalline silica or silicosis is associated with the increased incidence of scleroderma, an autoimmune
disorder.
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| Tuberculosis: |
Several studies indicate that silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis. |
| Eye contact: |
Crystalline silica (quartz) may cause abrasion, irritation, redness and/or watering of the eyes. |
| Skin contact: |
Not applicable. |
| Ingestion: |
Not applicable. |
| Chronic: |
The adverse health effects mentioned above (silicosis, cancer, scleroderma, and tuberculosis) are considered chronic effects. |
| Reproductive: |
Reproductive toxicity has not been demonstrated. |
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure
Respiratory ailments (including bronchitis, emphysema, etc.) may be aggravated by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
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Section 4: First Aid Measures
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Eye contact: |
Gently flush any particles from the eye with clean water. Seek medical aid if irritation persists or develops. |
| Skin contact: |
Wash with soap and water. Seek medical aid if irritation persists or develops. |
| Inhalation: |
Remove from exposure. Seek medical aid if respiratory difficulty persists or develops. |
| Ingestion: |
Seek medical aid if discomfort is experienced. |
Section 5: Fire And Explosion
Will not burn or explode under any conditions. Non-flammable and non-explosive.
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
Spill Response Procedures: Use dustless methods (such as a vacuum or water hose) for cleanup. Do not dry sweep. Wear protective equipment as described in Section 8.
Preparing Waste for Disposal: No special procedures required. Dispose of according to local, state and federal regulations. Not classified as a hazardous waste by
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Section 7: Handling & Storage
Ventilation and Engineering Controls: Do not breathe dust. Dust suppression controls such as water sprays or dust collection controls such as vents or baghouses
should be used where dust generation results from handling. Practice good housekeeping-do not allow dust to collect on walls, floors, ceilings.
Graniterock Company recommends not using any of our products for SANDBLASTING.
Section 8: Exposure Control/Personal Protection
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved dust respirators should be used where dust levels exceed or are likely to exceed exposure levels defined in Section 2.
Respirator use must comply with applicable MSHA or OSHA standards which include a provision for fit testing, cleaning, training in correct usage and a fitness test for respirator
use.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields should be worn as minimum protection. Should excessively dusty conditions be present, use goggles or face shield.
Gloves: Gloves of any material can be used.
Other Clothing: No special requirements.
Work Practices: Avoid generating dust; use water to wet surfaces.
Hygiene Practices: Wash dust-exposed skin with soap and water.
Other Handling Requirements: Contain material in discrete quantities to avoid particles posing slip/trip hazard.
Protective Measures During Maintenance of Contaminated Equipment: Use respiratory protection, eye protection and gloves if dust is likely to be generated.
Section 9: Physical Properties
Vapor density (air=1): None
Melting point: Approx. 3,000°F
Specific gravity: 2.2–2.6
Boiling point: Approx. 4,000°F
Solubility in water: Insoluble
Evaporation rate: None
Vapor pressure: None
Appearance and odor: Pale brown powder; no odor
How to detect this substance: X-ray diffraction-NIOSH Methods 7500 & 7501
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
Stability: Crystalline silica (quartz) is stable, will not polymerize, and is known to be compatible with all other substances except strong oxidizing agents such
as fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, or oxygen difluoride.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Silica-containing respirable dust particles may be generated by handling and transport.
Section 11: Toxicological Information
Crystalline silica is a naturally occurring substance found in soil and rock formations. Crystalline silica is present in trace amounts in the atmosphere air as particulate.
Crystalline silica is one of several crystalline polymorphs (including trydimite, cristobalite) of silicon dioxide. When heated to 870°C, crystalline silica transforms to
trydimite, and when heated to 1,470°C it can transform to cristobalite. Chronic or ordinary silicosis is the most common form of silicosis which can occur after many years of
exposure to relatively low levels of airborne respirable dust.
Crystalline silica is listed by the National Toxicology Program in a category which may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen, and by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogenic. After years of study, the non-governing IARC concluded in 1997 that there was "sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of
crystalline silica in the forms of quartz or cristobalite from occupation sources." The IARC noted that carcinogenicity was not detected in all industries, and that toxicity may
depend on "external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs."
Crystalline silica is listed by the Governor of the State of California, under Proposition 65, as requiring the following warning:
"Detectable amounts of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm may be found in this product."
Section 12: Ecological Information
There is no data that shows crystalline silica (quartz) is toxic to birds, fish, invertebrates, microorganisms or plants.
Graniterock Company Disclaimer
The information contained in this MSDS is based on tests, experience and other information which Graniterock Company believes reliable and is supplied for informational purposes
only. Since conditions of use are outside of our control, Graniterock Company disclaims any liability for damage or injury which results from use of the above information. Nothing
contained herein shall constitute a guarantee, warranty (including warranty of merchantability) or representation (including freedom from patent liability) by Graniterock Company
with respect to the information, the material described, or its use for any specific purpose, even if that purpose is known to Graniterock Company.
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