Material Safety Data Sheet: Maryland Refractories Company
Material Safety Data Sheet: Maryland Refractories Company
Note 1. When the presence of quartz, cristobalite and tridymite exist, the adjusted PELs are derived from the
following formula: 10mg/M3
%quartz + 2(%cristobalite) + 2(%tridymite) +2
Appearance and Odor: White and buff colored granular product, odorless.
This product will not support combustion and may be used as an extinguishing media.
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SECTION V – HEALTH HAZARD
Breathing dust is a health hazard. See above PEL (Permissible Exposure Level) for free crystalline silica.
Effects of overexposure: Cancer and Silicosis. The Hazard associated with crystalline silica occurs when fine dust
is inhaled into the lungs over an extended time period.
Spills and leaks should be cleaned up and disposed of by a procedure that will eliminate the generation of
respirable dust. Dampening the material with water before sweeping or vacuuming with a HEPA filter can
accomplish this.
Ventilation: Local Exhaust and dust collection should be maintained to keep respirable dust
exposure below the PEL.
Protective Clothing: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirators with a minimum rating equal to the
PEL should be worn when exposures exceed the PEL.
Protective Clothing: Clothing should be cleaned in a manner that avoids the generation of
respirable dust. Clothing should not be cleaned with an air hose.
Special Precaution: Proper ventilation and breathing protection should be used in dusty areas.
Precautionary Labeling: Long-term exposure to airborne dust in excess of permissible exposure limits
without proper respiratory protection will create cancer risks.
A. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires that manufactures report any new significant
information regarding the potential health hazard of chemicals in their workplace. In July 1997, The
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published Monograph 68, which classifies respirable
crystalline silica in the form of quartz and cristobalite as a Group 1 carcinogen.
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This product contains greater than 0.1 percent crystalline silica. Therefore it is important to prevent worker
exposure to respirable dust in excess of the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL). Someone qualified to make
such evaluations such as an Industrial Hygienist should determine workers’ exposure. Until it is
determined to be otherwise, workers exposed to any dust should wear NOISH or MSHA approved
respiratory protection devices while working with this product.
There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of inhaled crystalline silica in the
form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources.
There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of amorphous silica.
There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of quartz and
cristobalite.
There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of tridymite.
There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of uncalcined
diatomaceous earth.
There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of synthetic
amorphous silica.
Overall evaluation
In making the overall evaluation, the Working Group noted that carcinogenicity in humans was not
detected in all industrial circumstances studied. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent
characteristics of the crystalline silica or on external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution
of its polymorphs.
Crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is
carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
B. Silica and Alumina are listed as hazardous on the OSHA Z –Table and TLV list.
C. In the year 2000, the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) adopted a lower
TLV and an A2 (suspected human carcinogen) designation for silica, crystalline quartz. This is half of the
previous TLV.
D. We have included our “Plain Language Comments” as page 4 of this MSDS. Please let us know if we can
provide you with any additional information.
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The attached MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is furnished in partial compliance with the OSHA Hazard
Communication Standard. We believe it fairly presents the hazards associated with the use, storage, handling and
disposal of our product. We cannot foresee every use, misuse, mixture or combination of our product with other
products, but if you have any questions we will try to help. Just give us a call.
Because of the complexity of the MSDS, we have included our “Plain Language Comments” at the bottom of this
page. It is meant to give a quick overview of the health and safety aspects of our product and make the MSDS
more useful. It does not supersede the information on the MSDS. Reference to a brand of respirator does not
imply the endorsement of that product nor does it imply that respirator would be sufficient in every environment.
The Refractories Institute (412-281-6787) has published a brochure entitled “Crystalline Silica, a Workplace
Hazard You Can Control.” We will provide copies upon request.
WARNING – This product contains crystalline silica. Inhaled crystalline silica in the form of
Handle this product in a way that avoids the creation of respirable dust. Other special
precautions are generally not needed for handling, storage, use, or disposal of this product.
The only personal protective equipment normally needed is a respirator of the type needed for
that cost less than $5.00, or 3M 6000 series permanent respirators that cost about $25.00 and
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) should be used if workers have long-term,
frequent exposure.
______________________________
Irondale, OH 43932
Ph: 800-228-4672
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