Specification Details Material Safety Data
1. Identification of the Substance, Preparation and Company
Product Name : Vermiculite (All Grades)
Product Type : Exfoliated Vermiculite
Supplier : White Knight minerals
#26-3-1186, 9th Street, Jyothi Nagar, Vedayapalem
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh – 524004, India
Emergency Telephone : +91-9866660002
Material Uses/Applications: Applications are varied but include friction brake linings, high temperature insulation, loft insulation, construction products, animal feeds, horticulture and many other industrial applications.
2. Composition / Information on Ingredients
Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicates which resemble mica in appearance. When subjected to heat, crude vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding.
3. Hazards Identification
| Hazards Identification | |
|---|---|
| Routes of exposure | Inhalation and Ingestion |
| Health hazards | Vermiculite is of low acute toxicity, but prolonged exposure to any mineral dust could cause respiratory problems |
| Symptoms of exposure (Acute effects) | None known |
| Symptoms of exposure (Chronic effects) | Possible impairment of lung function after long-term exposure to dust levels in excess of OES- TWA |
| Medical conditions | Any conditions aggravated by dust (e.g. asthma or pneumoconiosis) may be aggravated by exposure |
| Known synergists | None known |
| Explosion hazards | None |
| Fire hazards | None |
| Corrosion hazards | None |
4. First Aid Measures
| First Aid Measures | |
|---|---|
| Skin contact | Wash thoroughly with soap and water after use |
| Eye contact | Irrigate thoroughly with water. Obtain medical advice if any pain or redness persists |
| Ingestion | There are no known adverse effects. If ingested in large quantities, wash mouth out with water and give water to drink. Do not induce vomiting |
| Inhalation | If inhaled in large quantities and mechanical irritation or discomfort occurs, allow the patient to rest in a well-ventilated room |
| Injection under pressure | Not applicable |
| Antidote | Not applicable |
| Advice to physicians | No special requirements. In all cases should symptoms persist seek medical advise |
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Non-flammable, no special precautions necessary.
Extinguishing media : Not applicable.
Special exposure hazard : Not applicable. Protective equipment : Not applicable.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Leaks and Spills : Vacuum spillages.
Personal precautions : No special requirements.
Environmental precautions : No special requirements.
7. Handling and Storage
Handling precaution: Avoid creating airborne dust wherever
possible. Where dust is generated then engineering dust control measures, e.g. LEV, should be considered.
Storage precautions: No special precautions. Shelf life: Indefinite. Specific uses: N/A
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
| Exposure Controls/Personal Protection | |
|---|---|
| Exposure limit values | As per HSE Guidance Notes EH40. See section 2. |
| Exposure controls | Use appropriate engineering controls to maintain dust levels below OES-TWA limits. |
| Respiratory protection | Dust masks conforming to EN149 FFP2S or FFP3S should be used if OES-TWA limits are exceeded. |
| Personal protection | No special precautions |
| Environmental exposure | Ensure compliance with statutory environmental legislation controls. |
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
| Physical and Chemical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Appearance and odor | Flakes or powder, odor free. |
| Boiling point °C | Not applicable. |
| Melting Point °C | Approximately 1300°C |
| Flash point °C | Not applicable |
| Flammability | Nonflammable |
| Oxidizing property | None |
| Vapor pressure mPa: | Not applicable |
| Density at 20°C (Kg/m3) | Variable depending on grade |
| Solubility | Virtually insoluble |
| Specific gravity | Approximately 2.8. (Water = 1) |
| Evaporation Rate | Not applicable. (Butyl acetate = 1) |
| Partition coefficient | Not applicable |
| pH value of 10% aqueous slurry | Approximately 9 |
| Gross molecular formula | Variable |
| Viscosity | Not applicable |
| Explosion limit | Not applicable |
10. Stability and Reactivity
| Stability and Reactivity | |
|---|---|
| Chemical stability | Material is stable under normal ambient conditions |
| Conditions to avoid | None |
| Materials to avoid | None |
| Hazardous decomposition products | None known |
| Hazardous polymerization | Not applicable |
11. Toxicological Information
| Symptoms of overexposure for each potential route of exposure | |
|---|---|
| Acute Toxicity: – Oral LD50 (rat) (mg/kg) Dermal LD50 (rat) (mg/kg) Inhalation LC50 4hr(rat) (mg/l) |
Not known but since vermiculite acts as an inert material in Acute Toxicity tests, LD50/LC50 values would be high. |
| Irritation to skin | Can cause mild irritation |
| Irritation to eyes | Can cause mild irritation |
| Respiratory sensitization Skin sensitization Repeated dose toxicity Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive toxicity |
Not known but information available shows material to be non-toxic. Chronic long- term respirable problems are possible |
The review of available experimental data suggests that over exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust can cause silicosis, a form of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure to high levels of RCS dust can also lead to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. However, the phase 2 review carried out by the HSE (EH75/5) concludes that although RCS is a cause of lung cancer in humans, it is not a potent carcinogen. As a result of these findings CHAN35 has been issued by the HSE suggesting that for RCS, employers should aim to control exposures to 0.1mg/m3 (8hr TWA) or below. The HSE is not proposing a formal change to the MEL because a new system of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) is planned to be in place by the end of 2004, which is likely to overtake any new MEL developments
12. Ecological Information
| Ecological Information | |
|---|---|
| Eco toxicity Mobility Persistence & degradability Bio accumulative potential Other adverse effects |
No information available, but since the material is naturally occurring, unreactive, insoluble and non-biodegradable, no Ecological problem is known or expected. |
13. Disposal Information
| Disposal Information | |
|---|---|
| Containment techniques | No special requirements |
| Clean-up procedures | Vacuum preferred but simpler methods are acceptable |
| Waste disposal | No special precautions necessary other than compliances with local regulations for non-hazardous materials |
14. Transport Information
| Transport Information | |
|---|---|
| United Nations Number ADR/RID Class: Packing Group: IMDG Code: ICAO/IATA IMO Shipping name IATA Shipping name: ADR Shipping name: RID Shipping name: |
Not applicable as material is classified as non-hazardous |
15. Regulatory Information
| Regulatory Information | |
|---|---|
| (EC regulatory Information) EC Supply labeling Label name Classification & Symbol: Risk Phrases Safety Phrases FAO Hazard labeling |
Not applicable as material is classified as non-hazardous. |
16. Other Information
Training : Training should be given to employees, in how to handle the material without generating dust or spillages.
Technical Contact Point : White Knight minerals #26-3-1186, 9th Street, Jyothi Nagar,
Vedayapalem Nellore, Andhra Pradesh – 524004, India
Emergency Telephone : +91-9866660002
Date of Last Revision: 24 APRIL 2018
Disclaimer
All information is given in good faith but without guarantee in respect of accuracy, and no responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions or the consequences thereof. It is the user’s obligation to determine the conditions of safe use of the material, all risks of use of the product are therefore assumed by the user and we expressly disclaim all warranties of every kind and nature, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose in respect to the use or suitability of the product.
Material Safety Data-pdf