Tungsten carbide (WC)

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Toxic by inhalation.The toxicological properties of this material have not been fully investigated.
Potential Health Effects
Eye:
May cause eye irritation.
Skin:
May cause skin irritation.
Ingestion:
May cause irritation of the digestive tract. The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated.
Inhalation:
May cause respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated.
Chronic:
No information found.

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Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
Eyes: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.
Skin:
Get medical aid. Flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
Get medical aid. Do NOT induce vomiting. If conscious and alert, rinse mouth and drink 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.
Inhalation:
Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician:

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Section 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
General Information:
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion.
Extinguishing Media:
Use agent most appropriate to extinguish fire. Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.

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Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks:
Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions.
Provide ventilation.

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Section 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE
Handling:
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Use with adequate ventilation. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
Storage:
Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.

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Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION
Engineering Controls:
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low.
Exposure Limits CAS# 12070-12-1: United Kingdom, WEL - TWA: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compoun 5 mg/m3 TWA (as W) United Kingdom, WEL - STEL: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 10 mg/m3 STEL (as W) Belgium - TWA: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 5 mg/m3 (as W) Belgium - STEL: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 10 mg/ VLE (as W) Malaysia: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 5 mg/m3 TWA W) Netherlands: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 5 mg/m3 M (as W) Russia: 6 mg/m3 TWA (as W) Spain: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 5 mg/m3 VLA-ED W) Spain: (listed as tungsten, insoluble compounds): 10 mg/m3 VLA-EC W) Personal Protective Equipment Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.

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Section 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Physical State: Solid
Color: white to off-white
Odor: Not available.
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: Not available.
Viscosity: Not available.
Boiling Point: Not available.
Freezing/Melting Point: Not available.
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Explosion Limits, lower: Not available.
Explosion Limits, upper: Not available.
Decomposition Temperature:
Solubility in water:
Specific Gravity/Density:
Molecular Formula: CW
Molecular Weight: 195.86

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Section 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical Stability:
Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid:
Incompatible materials, dust generation, excess heat, strong oxidants.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide, irritating and toxic fumes and gases, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Has not been reported

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Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
RTECS#:
CAS# 12070-12-1: YO7250000 LD50/LC50:
Not available.
Carcinogenicity:
Tungsten Carbide - Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP.
Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.

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Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

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Section 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.

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Section 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION

IATA
Not regulated as a hazardous material.
IMO
Not regulated as a hazardous material.
RID/ADR
Not regulated as a hazardous material.

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Section 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION

European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols: T
Risk Phrases:
R 23 Toxic by inhalation.
Safety Phrases:
S 22 Do not breathe dust.
S 28A After contact with skin, wash immediately with
plenty of water.
S 37 Wear suitable gloves.
S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
medical advice immediately (show the label where
possible).
WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
CAS# 12070-12-1: 0
Canada
CAS# 12070-12-1 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
CAS# 12070-12-1 is not listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
US FEDERAL
TSCA
CAS# 12070-12-1 is listed on the TSCA inventory.

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SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A

MOLECULAR FORMULA :

C-W

MOLECULAR WEIGHT :

195.86

WISWESSER LINE NOTATION :

.WO..C

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

MUTATION DATA

TYPE OF TEST :

DNA damage

TEST SYSTEM :

Human Leukocyte

REFERENCE :

MUREAV Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1964- Volume(issue)/page/year: 392,31,1997 *** REVIEWS *** ACGIH TLV-TWA 5 mg(W)/m3; STEL 10 mg(W)/m3 DTLVS* The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) booklet issues by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Cincinnati, OH, 1996 Volume(issue)/page/year: TLV/BEI,1997 *** U.S. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS *** MSHA STANDARD-air:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 DTLVS* The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) booklet issues by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Cincinnati, OH, 1996 Volume(issue)/page/year: 3,272,1971 *** OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS *** OEL-AUSTRALIA:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3;STEL 10 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-BELGIUM:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3;STEL 10 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-DENMARK:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-FINLAND:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-THE NETHERLANDS:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-THE PHILIPPINES:TWA 1 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-SWEDEN:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-SWITZERLAND:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL-UNITED KINGDOM:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3;STEL 10 mg(W)/m3 JAN 1993 OEL IN BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN, KOREA check ACGIH TLV OEL IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV *** NIOSH STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AND SURVEILLANCE DATA *** NIOSH RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LEVEL (REL) : NIOSH REL TO CEMENTED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE-air:10H TWA 0.1 mg(Co)/m3 REFERENCE : NIOSH* National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda. Volume(issue)/page/year: DHHS #92-100,1992 NIOSH RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LEVEL (REL) : NIOSH REL TO TUNGSTEN, insoluble-air:TWA 5 mg(W)/m3;STEL 10 mg/m3 REFERENCE : NIOSH* National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda. Volume(issue)/page/year: DHHS #92-100,1992 NIOSH RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LEVEL (REL) : NIOSH REL TO CEMENTED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE-air:10H TWA 0.015 mg/m3 REFERENCE : NIOSH* National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda. Volume(issue)/page/year: DHHS #92-100,1992 NIOSH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE SURVEY DATA : NOES - National Occupational Exposure Survey (1983) NOES Hazard Code - X2977 No. of Facilities: 158 (estimated) No. of Industries: 4 No. of Occupations: 7 No. of Employees: 3395 (estimated) No. of Female Employees: 297 (estimated)