The following information (Health Effects, Handling/Disposal, and Ingredients) is taken from the product label and/or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prepared by the manufacturer. The National Library of Medicine does not test products nor does it evaluate information from the product label or the MSDS. (What is an MSDS?)
(Complete MSDS for this product)
Health Effects
Acute Health Effects:
From MSDS:
Hazard Identification
Potential Health Effects
Route(s) of Entry: Skin, Ingestion
May cause severe eye irritation
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Localized redness, swelling, itching or dryness. Gastrointestinal irritation if ingested.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Skin diseases may be aggravated by contact
Chronic Health Effects:
From MSDS:
Prolonged contact will cause alkaline burns to the eyes or skin irritation and reddening
Carcinogenicity:
Portland cement may contain 0.75 % insoluble residue. A fraction of these residues may be free crystalline silica. Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs and possibly cancer. There is evidence that exposure to respirable silica or the disease silicosis is associated with an increased incidence of Scleroderma, tuberculosis and kidney disorders.
NTP: Known carcinogen
OSHA: Not listed as a carcinogen
IARC Monographs: Group 1 Carcinogen
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (“IARC”) concluded that there was “sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica in the forms of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources”, and that there is “sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of quartz or cristobalite.” The overall IARC evaluation was that “crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).” The IARC evaluation noted that “carcinogenicity was not detected in all industrial circumstances or studies. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent characteristics of the crystalline silica or on external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs.”
First Aid:
Eye contact: Immediately flush eye thoroughly with water. Continue flushing eye for at least 15 minutes, including under lids. Call physician immediately.
Skin contact: Wash skin with cool water and pH-neutral soap or a mild detergent. Seek medical treatment if irritation or inflammation develops or persists. Seek immediate medical treatment in the event of burns.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call a physician immediately.
