Brass Alloys Material Safety Data Sheet
Brass Alloys Material Safety Data Sheet
Brass Alloys Material Safety Data Sheet
FORM #: MSDS-07-2011
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2011
1. PRODUCT INFORMATION
2. HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
BASE METAL (ALL VALUES ARE EXPRESSED AS WEIGHT PERCENT AND ARE APPROXIMATES)
The exposure limit for copper-containing fumes has been established at 0.2 mg/m3 with ACGIH's TWA. The individual complex compounds within the fume may
have lower exposure limits than the general fume.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
GENERAL: Brass alloys in their usual solid form and under normal conditions do not present an inhalation, ingestion, or
contact health hazard or fire or explosion hazard. Operations such as welding, brazing, burning, grinding,
cutting, heat treating, machining or similar operations may generate dusts, fumes and machine turnings that
may create a health or fire or explosion hazard.
TARGET ORGANS: Respiratory system, kidney, liver, central nervous system, eyes and skin.
EFFECTS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO MATERIAL: COPPER & ZINC (as Oxide): Inhalation overexposure to copper or zinc oxide may cause metal fume fever
characterized by fever and chills (i.e. flu-like symptoms) which appear 4-6 hours after exposure with no long-
term effects.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO MATERIAL: LEAD: Chronic exposures may cause lead poisoning that can affect the digestive system, nervous system,
reproductive systems, muscles and joints. IARC lists lead and its inorganic compounds under its Group 2B
category - “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.
TIN: Inhalation overexposures may cause a benign pneumoconiosis (stannosis) with few or no symptoms, which
is reported not to be disabling.
NOTES:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations (2008).
3rd Annual Report on Carcinogens as prepared by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
EYES: FLUSH EYES WITH PLENTY OF WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES, HOLDING EYE LIDS OPEN.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF EYE IRRITATION PERSISTS.
SKIN: MAINTAIN GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE. WASH AFFECTED AREA WITH MILD SOAP AND WATER.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF SKIN IRRITATION PERSISTS.
INHALATION: REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. CHECK FOR CLEAR AIRWAY, BREATHING AND PRESENCE OF PULSE.
IF NECESSARY ADMINISTER CPR. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
INGESTION: RARE IN INDUSTRY. DUST MAY IRRITATE MOUTH AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION PROMPTLY.
MEANS OF EXTINCTION: Not applicable for solid product. Use extinguishers appropriate for surrounding materials.
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BRASS ALLOYS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT % BY VOL.: N/A LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT % BY VOL.: N/A
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: At temperatures above the melting point, fumes containing metal oxides and other alloying elements may be
liberated.
UNUSUAL FIRE HAZARDS: Finely divided particles or dusts such as those produced during grinding may present an explosion hazard, and
should be treated as a Class D combustible metal fire – use a use Class D fire extinguishers (dry powder or sand)
for fires involving powders or dusts.
LEAK AND SPILL PROCEDURES: Not applicable to brass alloys in solid state.
For spills involving fine dusts, remove by vacuuming or wet sweeping methods to prevent spreading of dust.
Do not use compressed air to clean spills of dusts. Avoid inhalation of dusts. Collect spilled materials into
suitable labelled containers for disposal.
HANDLING: Operations with the potential for generating high concentrations of airborne particulates should be evaluated
and controlled as necessary. Practice good housekeeping. Avoid breathing metal fumes and/or dust.
STORAGE: Store away from oxidizers, acids and other incompatible materials.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
(e.g. ventilation, enclosures, specify) General or local exhaust during welding, grinding or other dust generating operations.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Dependent upon process being performed on material each operation must be addressed for suitable
equipment.
GLOVES (Specify): Wear gloves as required. EYES (Specify): Safety glasses or goggles as required.
RESPIRATOR (Specify): If concentrations exceed established limits (up to 10X TLV) use NIOSH/MSHA approved particulate respirators
(dust & fume or high efficiency dust & fume cartridge) when grinding or welding.
BOILING POINT: Not Applicable VAPOUR PRESSURE: Not Applicable VAPOUR DENSITY: Not Applicable
CHEMICAL STABILITY: Stable - Brass alloys are stable under normal storage and handling conditions.
INCOMPATIBILITY TO OTHER SUBSTANCES: Yes. Oxidizers, acids, acetylene, some halogenated compounds.
CONDITIONS OF REACTIVITY: Contact with oxidizers and/or strong acids will release flammable hydrogen gas.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: High temperatures can produce toxic metallic and/or metal oxide fumes (mostly Cu2O & ZnO).
LD50 (of Material): Not established LC50 (of Material): Not established
CARCINOGENICITY OF MATERIAL: LEAD: IARC lists lead and its inorganic compounds under its Group 2B category - “possibly carcinogenic to
humans”.
NOTE: Copper containing welding fume has an exposure limit of 0.2 mg/m³ (ACGIH-TLV’s 2011). Welding fume may
also contain contaminants from fluxes or welding consumables. Prolonged skin contact may cause reddening
and drying of skin or dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to nickel content in product.
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BRASS ALLOYS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
ECOTOXICITY: No data available for the material as a whole. However, individual components of the material have been
found to be toxic to the environment. Metal dusts may migrate into soil and groundwater and be ingested by
wildlife.
WASTE DISPOSAL: Brass scrap or solid waste should be recycled or reclaimed whenever possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Dispose of in accordance with applicable federal, provincial/state or local regulations.
TRANSPORT REGULATIONS:
Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG) March 2011.
US Department of Transport (DOT) Hazardous Materials shipping information (Title 49 - Transportation March 2011).
REGULATORY INFORMATION: The following listing of regulations relating to a Russel Metals Inc. product may not be complete and should not
be solely relied upon for all regulatory compliance responsibilities.
SARA THRESHOLD PLANNING QUANTITY: There are no specific Threshold Planning Quantities for the components of this material. The default Federal
MSDS submission and inventory requirement filing threshold of 10,000 lb. (4,540 kg) therefore applies, per 40
CFR 370.20.
TSCA INVENTORY STATUS: The components of this material are listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory.
CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITY (RQ): RQ’s for Hazardous Substances in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act are: Copper = 5,000 lb. (2,270 kg); Zinc = 1,000 lb (450 kg); Nickel = 100 lb. (45 kg); Lead = 10 lb (4.5 kg).
CALIFORNIA (PROPOSITION 65): The Nickel component of this material is known in the State of California to cause cancer.
The Lead component of this material is known in the State of California to cause cancer, and/or birth defects
(or other reproductive harm).
PREPARED BY: RUSSEL METALS INC. AND ENVIROTEST INC. DATE: NOVEMBER, 2011
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN BASED ON DATA CONSIDERED ACCURATE. HOWEVER, NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF THESE DATA OR THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE USE THEREOF.