MSDS FORM Tuesday, September 7, 2010

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Trade Number: Cold Finished Carbon, Stainless and Alloy Steels
Synonyms: Steels
Use/Description: Cold Finish Steel Products

Company Identification:

Bergsen Inc.
12241 Florence Avenue
Santa Fe Springs, California 90670
1-562-236-9787 (Telephone)
1-562-236-9797 (Facsimile)

2. BASE METALS

Iron, Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Carbon, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Selenium, Silicon, Sulfur, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zinc

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
WARNING! WELDING, SAWING, BRAZING, GRINDING, AND MICHINING MAY CAUSE DUSTS AND/OR FUME TO BE RELEASED. MAY BE HARMFUL IF INHALED. MAY IRRITATE THE EYES, SKIN, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MOLTEN MATERIAL MAY CAUSE THERMAL BURNS

Potential Health Effects
Note: Steel products in their solid state under normal conditions, do not present an inhalation, ingestion or skin hazard. However, operations resulting in fume or particulate formation such as welding, sawing, brazing, grinding and machining may present health hazards. Molten steel also is hazardous. Eye Contact Dusts or particulates may cause mechanical irritation including pain, tearing, and redness. Scratching of the cornea can occur if eye is rubbed. Fumes may be irritating. Contact with the heated material may cause thermal burns. Skin Contact Dusts or particulates may cause mechanical irritation due to abrasion. Coated steel may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Some components in this product are capable of causing an allergic reaction, possibly resulting in burning, itching and skin eruptions. Contact with heated material may cause thermal burns. Inhalation Dusts may cause irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs. Excessive inhalation of metallic fumes and dusts may result in metal fume fever, an influenza-like illness. It is characterized by a sweet or metallic taste in the mouth, accompanied by dryness and irritation of the throat, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, general malaise, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, blurred vision, fever and chills. Typical symptoms last from 12 to 48 hours. Ingestion Not expected to be acutely toxic via ingestion based on the physical and chemical properties of the product. Swallowing of excessive amounts of the dust may cause irritation, nausea, and diarrhea. Chronic or Special Toxic Effects Repeated exposure to fine dusts may inflame the nasal mucosa and cause changes to the lung. In addition, a red-brown pigmentation of the eye and/or skin may occur. Welding fumes have been associated with adverse health effects. Contains components they may cause cancer or reproductive effects. The following components are listed by NTP, OSHA, or IARC as carcinogens: Nickel, chromium (hexavalent), cobalt, lead, cadmium, antinomy (trioxide), arsenic, beryllium. Target Organs Overexposure to specific components of this product that are generated in dusts or fumes may cause adverse effects to the following organs or systems: eyes, skin, liver, kidney, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system. Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure Diseases of the skin such as eczema may be aggravated by exposure. Also, disorders of the respiratory system including asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Long-term inhalation exposure to agents that cause pneumoconiosis (e.g. dust) may act synergistically with inhalation of oxide fumes or dusts of this product.

4. FIRST AND MEASURES

Eye Contact – In case of overexposure to dusts or fumes, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes occasionally lifting the eye lids. Get medical attention if irritation persists. Thermal burns should be treated as medical emergencies. Skin Contact – In case of overexposure to dusts or particulates, wash with soap and plenty of water. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists. If thermal burn occurs, flush area with cold water and get immediate medical attention. Inhalation – In case of overexposure to dusts or fumes, remove to fresh air. Get immediate medical attention if symptoms described in this MSDS develop. Ingestion – Not considered an ingestion hazard. However, if excessive amounts of dust or particulates are swallowed, treat symptomatically and supportively. Get medical attention. Notes to Physician – Inhalation of metal fume or metal oxides may produce an acute febrile state, with cough, chills, weakness, and general malaise, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and remarkable leukocytosis. Treatment is symptomatic, and condition is self limited in 24-48 hours. Chronic exposure to dusts may result in pneumoconiosis of mixed type.

5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flash Point (Method) – Not applicable
Flammable Limits (% volume in air) – Not applicable
Auto ignition Temperature – Not applicable
Extinguishing Media – For molten metal, use dry powder or sand
Special Fire Fighting Procedures – Do not use water on molten metal. Firefighters should not enter confined spaces without wearing NIOSH/MSHA approved positive pressure breathing apparatus (SCBA) with full face mask and full protective equipment.
Unusual Fire or Explosion Hazards – Steel products do not present fire or explosion hazards under normal conditions. Fine metal particles such as produced in grinding or sawing can burn. High concentrations of metallic fines in the air may present an explosion hazard.

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Precautions if Material is Spilled or Released – Emergency response is unlikely unless in the form of dust. Avoid inhalation, eye, or skin contact of dusts by using appropriate precautions outlined in this MSDS. Fine turnings and small chips should be swept or vacuumed and placed into appropriate disposable containers. Keep fine dust or powder away from sources of ignition. Scrap should be reclaimed for recycling. Prevent materials from entering drains, sewers, or waterways.
Environmental Precautions – Some grades of steel may contain reportable quantities of alloying elements. Waste Disposal Methods – Dispose used or unused product in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Storage Temperatures – Stable under normal temperatures and pressures. Precautions to be Taken in Handling and Storing – Store away from strong oxidizers. Dusts or powders may form explosive moistures with air. Avoid breathing dusts or fumes.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

Operations with potential for generating high concentrations of airborne particulates or fumes should be evaluated and controlled as necessary.
Eye Protection – Use safety glasses. Dust resistant safety goggles are recommended under circumstances where particles could cause mechanical injury such as grinding or cutting. Face shield should be used when welding or cutting.
Skin – Appropriate protective gloves should be worn as necessary. Good personal hygiene practices should be followed including cleansing exposed skin several times daily with soap and water, and laundering or dry cleaning soiled work clothing.
Respiratory Protection – NIOSH/MSHA approved dust/fume/mist respirator should be used to avoid excessive exposure. If such concentrations are sufficiently high that this respirator is inadequate, or high enough to cause oxygen deficiency, use a positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Follow all applicable respirator use fitting, and training standards and regulations. Ventilation – Provide general and/or local exhaust ventilation to control airborne levels of dust or fumes below exposure limits.
Exposure Guidelines – No permissible exposure limits (PEL) or threshold limit values (TLV) exist for steel. Various grades of steel will contain different combinations of these elements. Trace elements may also be present in minute amounts.

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance and Odor – Red, Grey or other color steel panels, pulins, and built-up joists and trusses
Boiling Point – Not applicable
Melting Point – Approximately 2800 oF
pH – Not applicable
Specific Gravity (at 15.6 oC) – Not applicable
Density (at 15.6 oC) – Not applicable
Vapor Pressure – Not applicable
Vapor Density (air = 1) – Not applicable
% Volatile, by Volume – Not applicable
Solubility in Water – Insoluble
Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate = 1) – Not applicable
Other Physical and Chemical Date - None

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Stability – Stable
Conditions to Avoid – Steel at temperatures above the melting point may liberate fumes containing oxides of iron and alloying elements. Avoid generation of airborne fume.
Hazardous Polymerization – Will not occur.
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid) – Reacts with strong acids to form hydrogen gas. Do not store near strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Decomposition Products – Metallic fumes may be produced during welding, burning, grinding, and possibly machining or any situation with the potential for thermal decomposition.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The primary component of this product is iron. Long-term exposure to iron dusts or fumes can result in a condition called siderosis which is considered to be a benign pneumoconiosis. Symptoms may include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and shortness of breath upon exertion. Penetration of iron particles in the skin or eye may cause an exogenous or ocular siderosis which may be characterized by a red-brown pigmentation of the affected area. Ingestion overexposures to iron may affect the gastrointestinal, nervous, and hematopoietic system and the liver. Iron and steel founding, but not iron or iron oxide, has been listed as potentially carcinogenic by IARC.

When this product is welded, fumes are generated. Welding fumes may be different in composition from the original welding product, with the chief component being ordinary oxides of the metal being welded. Chronic health effects (including cancer) have been associated with the fumes and dusts of individual component metals, and welding fumes as a general category have been listed by IARC as a carcinogen. There is also limited evidence that welding fumes may cause adverse reproductive and fetal effects. Evidence is stronger where welding materials contain known reproductive toxins, e.g., lead which may be present in the coating material of the product.

Breathing fumes or dusts of this product may result in metal fume fever, which is an illness produced by inhaling metal oxides. These oxides are produced by heating various metals including cadmium, zinc, magnesium, copper, antimony, nickel, cobalt, manganese, tin, lead, beryllium, silver, chromium, aluminum, selenium, iron, and arsenic. The most common agents involved are zinc and copper.

This product may contain small amounts of manganese. Prolonged exposure to manganese dusts or fumes is associated with “manganism”, a Parkinson-like syndrome characterized by a variety of neurological symptoms including muscle spasms, gait disturbances, tremors, and psychoses.

This product may contain small amounts of cadmium. Primary target organs for cadmium overexposure are the lung and the kidney. Because of its cumulative nature, chronic cadmium poisoning can cause serious disease which takes many years to develop and may continue to progress despite cessation of exposure. Progression of the disease may not reflect current exposure conditions. It is also capable of causing a painful osteomalacia called “Itai-Itai” in postmenopausal women, and has cause developmental effects and/or reproductive effects in male and female animals. Cadmium is a listed carcinogen by NTP, OSHA, and IARC.

This product may contain small amounts of chromium. Prolonged and repeated overexposure to chromium dusts or fumes may cause skin ulcers, nasal irritation and ulceration, kidney damage and cancer of the respiratory system. Chromium is skin sensitizer. Cancer is generally attributed to the hexavalent (+6) form of chromium which is listed as a carcinogen by NTP and IARC.

This product may contain small amounts of nickel. Prolonged and repeated contact with nickel may cause sensitization dermatitis. Inhalation of nickel compounds has caused lung damage as well as sinus, nasal and lung caner in laboratory animals. Nickel is a listed carcinogen by NTP and IARC.

This product may contain small amounts of vanadium. Adverse effects from dermal, inhalation or parenteral exposure to various vanadium compounds have been reported. The major target for vanadium pentoxide toxicity is the respiratory tract. Fumes or dust can cause severe eye and respiratory irritation, and systemic effects. Chronic bronchitis, green tongue, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, rales, chronic productive cough, and tightness of the chest have been reported following overexposure. Allergic reactions resulting from skin and inhalation exposures have also been reported. A statistical association between vanadium air levels and lung cancer has been suggested, but vanadium currently is not regarded as a human carcinogen.

This product may contain small amounts of lead. Lead can accumulate in the body. Consequently, exposure to fumes or dust may produce signs of polyneuritis, diminished vision and peripheral neuropathy, such as tingling and loss of feeling in fingers, arms and legs. Lead is a known reproductive and developmental toxin. It is also associated with central nervous system disorders, anemia, kidney dysfunction and neurobehavioral abnormalities. The brain is a major target organ for lead exposure. Elemental lead is listed as an IARC carcinogen.

The product may contain small amounts of copper. Copper dust and fume can irritate the eyes, nose and throat causing coughing, wheezing, nosebleeds, ulcers and metal fume fever. Other effects from repeated inhalation of copper fume include a metallic or sweet taste, and discoloration of skin, teeth or hair. Copper also may cause an allergic skin reaction. Overexposure to copper can affect the liver.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Aquatic Ecotoxicological Data – No specific information available on this product. Environmental Fate Date – No specific information available on this product.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Recovery and reuse, rather than disposal, should be the ultimate goal of handling efforts. Dispose in accordance with federal, state, and local health and environmental regulations. Prevent materials from entering drains, sewers, or waterways.

14. REGULATORY INFORMATION

This product is not hazardous under the criteria of the Federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. However, dusts and fumes from this product may be hazardous.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

This product contains chemicals (antimony [oxide], arsenic, beryllium, chromium [hexavalent], cobalt, cadmium, lead, nickel) known to the State of California to cause cancer and chemicals (cadmium, lead) known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Regulatory Lists
Some components of this product may be specifically listed by individual states; other product-specific health and safety date in other sections of the MSDS may also be applicable for state requirements. For details on your regulatory requirements, you should contact the appropriate agency in you state. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Components of this product are listed on the TSCA inventory.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act CERCLA)
Steel is not reportable, however, it contains hazardous substance that may be reportable if released in pieces with diameters less than or equal to 0.004 inches (RQ marked with a “*”).

Chemical Name Reportable Quantity (in lb)
Antimony 5000*
Arsenic 1*
Beryllium 10*
Arsenic 1*
Cadmium 10*
Chromium 5000*
Copper 5000*
Lead 10*
Chromium 5000*
Nickel 100*
Phosphorus 1*
Selenium 100*
Zinc 1000*


15. OTHER INFORMATION

This product may be coated with a variety of materials, including oils, paints, galvanization, etc. that are not included in this MSDS. During welding precautions should be taken for airborne contaminants that may originate from components of the welding rod. Arc or spark generated when welding or burning could be a source of ignition or combustible and flammable materials. The information in the Material Safety Date Sheet (MSDS) was obtained from sources which we believe are reliable; however, the information is provided without any representation of warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy or correctness. The conditions or methods of handling, storage, use and disposal of the product arte beyond our control and may be beyond our knowledge. For this and other reasons, we do not assume responsibility and expressly disclaim liability for loss, damage, or expense arising out of or in any way connected with the handling, storage, use, or disposal of the product.





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