NILE CHEMICALS
Synonyms: Wood's Metal; Fusible alloy; Bismuth,
Lead, Tin, and Cadmium alloy
CAS No.: 96093-98-6
Molecular Weight: Not applicable.
Chemical Formula: Not applicable.
Health Rating: 3 - Severe (Cancer Causing)
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 0 - None
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: Blue (Health)
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Potential Health Effects
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Inhalation:The physical size of the alloy sticks makes inhalation or
ingestion rather unlikely. The principal inhalation hazard would be the fumes or
fine particles from the alloy when heated much above its melting point. These
would be of indefinite composition, but it may be assumed that the highly toxic
elements lead and cadmium would be present.
Lead can be absorbed through the respiratory system. Local irritation of
bronchia and lungs can occur and, in cases of acute exposure, symptoms such as
metallic taste, chest and abdominal pain, and increased lead blood levels may
follow. See also Ingestion.
Cadmium absorption is most efficient via respiratory tract. Inhalation of dust
may produce irritation, headache, metallic taste and/or cough. Severe exposures
may produce shortness of breath, chest pain, and flu-like symptoms with
weakness, fever, headache, chills, sweating, nausea and muscular pain. Can cause
pulmonary edema, liver and kidney damage and death. Symptoms from inhalation may
be delayed for as much as 24 hours.
Ingestion:Difficult, due to the size of the sticks. Small pieces or
particles of Wood's Metal, if ingested, should be assumed to be toxic, though
the degree is uncertain. It is recommended that the precautions appropriate to
lead metal ingestion be taken.
The symptoms of lead poisoning include abdominal pain and spasms, nausea,
vomiting, headache. Acute poisoning can lead to muscle weakness, "lead
line" on the gums, metallic taste, definite loss of appetite, insomnia,
dizziness, high lead levels in blood and urine with shock, coma and death in
extreme cases.
Ingestion of cadmium can cause a flu-like illness with chills, headache, aching
and/or fever. High exposure may cause nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea.
Bismuth is poorly absorbed. Should absorption occur, symptoms may include loss
of appetite, headache, skin rashes, kidney damage, and rarely mild jaundice.
Large doses of tin may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Skin Contact:May cause mild irritation. Lead and lead compounds may be
absorbed through the skin on prolonged exposure; the symptoms of lead poisoning
described for ingestion exposure may occur. Contact over short periods may cause
local irritation, redness and pain.
Eye Contact:Fine particles may cause abrasive irritation with pain or
inflammation.
Chronic Exposure:Prolonged contact with Wood's Metal or its fumes may
lead to some degree of heavy metal poisoning, especially the accumulation of
lead in the body. Lead is a cumulative poison and exposure even to small amounts
can raise the body's content to toxic levels. Muscle weakness and central
nervous system irregularities may be noted. Chronic exposure to cadmium, even at
relatively low concentrations, may result in kidney damage and an increased risk
of cancer of the lung and of the prostate. Decrease in bone density, renal
stones, and other evidence of disturbed calcium metabolism may be observed.
Prolonged inhalation of tin dust or fumes may result in a benign pneumoconiosis,
producing distinctive changes in the lungs with no apparent disability or
complications. Repeated or prolonged ingestion of bismuth may cause black spots
on the gums, foul breath, and salivation. Chronic exposure may affect kidneys
and liver.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:Persons with pre-existing skin
disorders or eye problems, or impaired liver, kidney or respiratory function may
be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
Inhalation:Remove to fresh air. If not breathing,
give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical
attention.
Ingestion:Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention. Wash
clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Eye Contact:Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately.
Fire:Not considered to be a fire hazard. Powder/dust
is flammable when heated or exposed to flame.
Explosion:Not considered to be an explosion hazard. Fine dust dispersed
in air in sufficient concentrations, and in the presence of an ignition source
is a potential dust explosion hazard.
Fire Extinguishing Media:Use any means suitable for extinguishing
surrounding fire. Do not use water on fire where molten metal is present.
Special Information:In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing
and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece
operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.
Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or
spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.
Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air.
Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent
scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and
place in a closed container. US Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting spills
and releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable quantities.
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Isolate from incompatible substances. Avoid dust formation and control ignition sources. Employ grounding, venting and explosion relief provisions in accord with accepted engineering practices in any process capable of generating dust and/or static electricity. Areas in which exposure to lead metal or lead compounds may occur should be identified by signs or appropriate means, and access to the area should be limited to authorized persons. Wear special protective equipment (Sec. 8) for maintenance break-in or where exposures may exceed established exposure levels. Wash hands, face, forearms and neck when exiting restricted areas. Shower, dispose of outer clothing, change to clean garments at the end of the day. Avoid cross-contamination of street clothes. Wash hands before eating and do not eat, drink, or smoke in workplace. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
Airborne Exposure Limits:
- OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) -
For metallic lead and all inorganic lead compounds:
0.05 mg/m3 (TWA); 0.03 mg/m3 (Action Level).
For cadmium, elemental and compounds, as Cd:
0.005 mg/m3 (TWA); 0.0025 mg/m3 (Action Level); OSHA Cancer Hazard.
For tin:2 mg/m3 (TWA).
- ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) -
For lead, elemental and inorganic, as Pb:
0.05 mg/m3 (TWA), A3 - Animal carcinogen.
For cadmium, elemental and compounds (inhalable particulate):
0.01 mg/m3 (TWA), A2 - Suspected human carcinogen.
For cadmium, elemental and compounds (respirable fraction):
0.002 mg/m3 (TWA), A2 - Suspected human carcinogen.
For tin, metal:
2 mg/m3 (TWA).
Ventilation System:A system of local and/or general exhaust is
recommended to keep employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local
exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions
of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general
work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial
Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for
details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):If the exposure limit is exceeded
and engineering controls are not feasible, a half-face high efficiency
particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filter) may be worn for up to ten times
the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate
regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece
high efficiency particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filter) may be worn up
to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by
the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest.
If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present,
use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure
levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied
respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in
oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Where respirators are required, you must have a
written program covering the basic requirements in the OSHA respirator standard.
These include training, fit testing, medical approval, cleaning, maintenance,
cartridge change schedules, etc. See 29CFR1910.134 for details.
Skin Protection:Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots,
gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where
dusting or splashing of solutions is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and
quick-drench facilities in work area.
Other Control Measures:Eating, drinking, and smoking should not be
permitted in areas where solids or liquids containing cadmium or lead compounds
are handled, processed, or stored. See OSHA substance-specific standard for more
information on personal protective equipment, engineering and work practice
controls, medical surveillance, record keeping, and reporting requirements. (29
CFR 1910.1025 and 29 CFR 1910.1027).
Appearance: Silver-gray sticks.
Odor: Odorless.
Solubility: Insoluble in water.
Density: 9.7
pH: No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F): 0
Boiling Point: Not applicable.
Melting Point: 69 - 72C (156 - 162F)
Vapor Density (Air=1): No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg): Not applicable.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1): Not applicable.
Stability:Stable under ordinary conditions of use
and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:Toxic metal fumes may form when heated
to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:For Bismuth: aluminum, bromine trifluoride, strong
oxidizers, strong acids, nitrosyl fluoride, ammonium nitrate, chloric acid,
chlorine, iodine pentafluoride, nitric acid, perchloric acid, and bismuth
hydroxide plus aluminum hydroxide.For Lead: ammonium nitrate, chlorine
trifluoride, hydrogen peroxide, sodium azide, zirconium, disodium acetylide,
sodium acetylide and oxidants.For Tin: halogens and halogen trifluorides, cupric
nitrate, sodium and potassium peroxide, sulfur, and some acids.For Cadmium:
nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrazoic acid, fused ammonium nitrate,
elemental sulfur, selenium and tellurium. Does not react with alkalies.
Conditions to Avoid:Heat, dusting and incompatibles.
Toxicological Data:Bismuth- Oral rat LD50: 5g/kg.
Cadmium- Oral rat LD50: 2330 mg/kg; Inhalation rat LC50: 25 mg/m3/30M.
Tin investigated as a tumorigen; Lead and Cadmium investigated as a tumorigen,
mutagen and reproductive effector.
Reproductive Toxicity:Lead and other smelter emissions are human
reproductive hazards. (Chemical Council on Environmental Quality; Chemical
Hazards to Human Reproduction, 1981). For cadmium: May damage the reproductive
system.
Environmental Fate:For lead and inorganic lead
compounds:
When released into the soil, this material is not expected to leach into
groundwater. This material may bioaccumulate to some extent.
Environmental Toxicity:No information found.
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste facility. Although not a listed RCRA hazardous waste, this material may exhibit one or more characteristics of a hazardous waste and require appropriate analysis to determine specific disposal requirements. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.
Not regulated.
WARNING:
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER
AND BIRTH DEFECTS OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.
Australian Hazchem Code: None allocated.
Poison Schedule: S6
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled
Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required
by the CPR.
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