Health & Safety
Information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of Caesarstone
Product Name: ConcettoTM
SDS Revision Date: December 2016
Product Use: ConcettoTM surfaces are designed for indoor use, particularly
kitchen and bathroom worktops, flooring, cladding and other similar uses.
Avoided Uses: Do not fabricate the product by using dry processes which generate dust.
| Company | Address | Emergency Phone # |
|---|---|---|
| Caesarstone Ltd. | MP Menashe, 3780400, Israel www.caesarstone.com sdsinfo@caesarstone.com | +972-4-610-9368 |
| Caesarstone USA Inc. | 1401 W. Morehead, Charlotte, NC 28208, USA | +1-818-779-0999 |
| Caesarstone Canada Inc. | 350 Caldari Rd., Concord, Ontario L4K 4J4, Canada | +1-416-322-4000 |
| Caesarstone Australia Pty Ltd. | Moorebank Business Park, Warehouse 3a East, 400 Moorebank Ave, Moorebank, NSW 2170, Australia | +61-13 11 26 / +13 11 26 |
| Caesarstone South East Asia Pte Ltd. | 10 Bukit Batok Cresent, #08-06, The Spire, Singapore 658079 | +65-6316-1938 |
| Caesarstone (UK) Ltd. | Unit 3, Navigation Park, Enfield EN3 4NQ, United Kingdom | +44-800-1588088 |
The finished ConcettoTM product poses no health hazard. However, dust derived from Fabrication Processes* contains respirable crystalline silica (SiO2). Hence, workers involved in Fabricating Processes, whether at the fabrication workshop or upon installing and removing/demolishing ConcettoTM slabs are at risk for significant crystalline silica exposure. In this SDS ConcettoTM slabs are referred to also as “products”. During the Fabricating Process, it is necessary to consider the following information.
* “Fabrication Process/es” or “Fabricating” or “Fabrication” means cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling, polishing, etc. manufacturing processes.
Please Read Carefully
Danger!
Category 1A (Carcinogenicity) (H350, H372)
Category 3 (Respiratory tract irritation) (H335)
Hazard Statements:(*1)
(H350) May cause Cancer (inhalation)
(H372) Causes damage to lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure (inhalation)
(H335) May cause respiratory tract irritation
Prevention:(*1)
P202 Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
P260+P261 Do not breathe dust generated during the Fabrication Process, installation and removing/demolishing processes.
P264 Wash face and hands thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P284 Wear respiratory protection for particles (P3).
Refer to Section 7 for Handling and Storage and to Section 8 for dust Exposure Controls.
First Aid Measures:(*1) P314 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
Disposal:(*1) P501 Dispose of remains in accordance with local regulations.
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Inhalation: Do not breathe dust.
Workers who inhale very small crystalline silica particles are at risk for silicosis – an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease. Silicosis results in permanent lung damage. Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. Symptoms of silicosis can include shortness of breath, cough and fatigue, and may or may not be obviously attributable to silica. According to USA OSHA alert of Feb 2015, workers exposed to airborne crystalline silica also are at increased risk for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease, and according to certain medical schools of thoughts, such workers are also at increased risk for auto-immune diseases (for example rheumatoid arthritis).
Skin and Eye Contact: Mineral dust may produce transitory mechanical irritation to the skin and eyes.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with impaired respiratory function and chronic respiratory disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance and may be adversely affected by any airborne particulate matter exposure. Smoking can increase the risk of lung injury. Inhalation may increase the progression of tuberculosis. Persons with preexisting skin disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of this material.
| Ingredient Name | CAS Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz and other natural stones | 14808-60-7 | <97% |
| Epoxy resin | Mixture | <12% |
| Hardener | 2855-13-2 &1477-55-0 | <3% |
Eye Contact with Dust: Flush immediately with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact with Dust: Wash affected area with soap and plenty of water. Seek medical attention if adverse effects occur.
Inhalation of Dust: Remove person to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, administer artificial respiration and seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion of Dust: Product in its marketed form is inert. If large amounts are swallowed, seek medical attention.
Auto-ignition: Can be combusted only with difficulty.
Fire-resistant: NA
Fire Spreading Rating: NA
Smoke Developed Rating: NA
Flash Point: NA
Flammable Limits in Air (% by Volume): NA
Extinguishing Media: Water, dry chemical, CO2 and foam
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Keep personnel away and upwind of fire. Use self-contained breathing apparatus with full face mask.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Decomposition products resulting from the polymer and pigments degrading at elevated temperatures include various hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. Fumes of metal oxides and mica particles could also be released.
The product does not represent a risk of spillage.
Cleanup and Disposal of Spill: Solid slabs can simply be gathered and disposed of as necessary. However, if large amounts of dust or waste are created by cutting during the Fabrication Process, use a HEPA vacuum system or dampen spilled material with water and sweep up wet material to avoid dust generation – DO NOT DRY SWEEP. Wear suitable respiratory protection and protective clothing (see Section 8). If large quantities of this material enter the waterways, contact the Federal, State, or local Waste Management Authority. Dispose of waste in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
Handling: Wear safety shoes and gloves during manual handling and storage operations of ConcettoTM slabs. (*2) The product is heavy and breakable; handle with care to avoid injury and prevent damage. Look for your local safety regulations related to handling and working with heavy material.
Avoid breathing dust when Fabricating, installing and removing/demolishing the product. Refer to Section 8 for Exposure Control/Personal Protection details.
Storage: Store properly in a closed and covered place. Avoid strong impacts that may cause the material to break.
Exposure Guidelines: Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
There is no provision for any risk associated with the finished ConcettoTM product in the CLP (EC) regulation no. 1272/2008.
However, in Fabrication Processes of the product, dust containing crystalline silica (SiO2) and other minerals may be generated. USA OSHA determined a general dust PEL of 15 mg/m3 and a general respirable dust PEL of 5 mg/m3
Check the PELs applicable under the regulations of each country where you handle the product.
PELs for respirable crystalline silica measured in mg/m3, 8 hours, TWA, are as follows: (These limits may be changed from time to time; you are required to follow local safety announcements.)
| Country/Authority | Crystalline Silica (SiO2) |
|---|---|
| Austria | 0.15 |
| Belgium | 0.1 |
| Czech Republic | 0.1 |
| Denmark | 0.1 |
| Finland | 0.2 |
| France | 0.1 |
| Germany (*3) | – |
| Greece | 0.1 |
| Ireland | 0.05 |
| Israel | 0.1 |
| Italy | 0.025 |
| Netherlands | 0.075 |
| Norway | 0.1 |
| Poland | 0.3 |
| Portugal | 0.025 |
| Spain | 0.1 |
| Sweden | 0.1 |
| Switzerland | 0.15 |
| United Kingdom | 0.1 |
| Australia | 0.1 |
| South Africa | 0.1 |
| USA OSHA(*4),(*5) PEL(*5) | 0.05 |
| ACGIH(*5) (2016) | 0.025 |
| NIOSH(*5) | 0.05 |
Employers should consult with a trained occupational safety and health professional in order to monitor the air in their workplace and in order to determine worker exposures to hazardous dust.
Exposure Control
Manufacturing and Installation: Dust derived from the Fabrication Processes contains crystalline silica (SiO2). Exposure to SiO2 dust without the use of suitable protection may cause serious diseases as detailed in Section 2 and Section 11.
Exposure to dust may be monitored and controlled with suitable control measures such as:
Engineered Controls: CNC machines and wet cutting methods are recommended to reduce generation of dust. When Fabricating the product, installing or removing/demolishing the installed product, use equipment with integral dust collection and/or use local exhaust ventilation in a safe manner to maintain the ambient workplace atmosphere below the relevant PEL.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Use HEPA vacuum and/or water cleaning systems. Never dry sweep or use compressed air.
Preventive Maintenance Programs: Preventive maintenance programs should be developed to ensure a correct procedure for the cleaning and operation of work equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment
Eye/Face Protection: During Fabrication operations use dust-proof goggles or safety glasses with side shields.(*6)
Hand and Skin Protection: Cotton or leather work gloves(*7) and steel-toed shoes should be worn when handling and transporting the product. During the Fabrication Process protective clothing should be worn to minimize cuts and/or skin exposure to dust. Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or using toilet facilities. Wash thoroughly after work using soap and water. Promptly remove dusty clothing (which is a source of respirable silica) and launder safely on site, separately from other clothes, before reuse.
Respiratory Protection: Properly fitted respiratory protection equipment approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH; USA) for protection against organic vapors and dusts is necessary to avoid inhalation of crystalline silica during the Fabrication Process of the product, and other processes that generate dust. The appropriate respirator selection depends on the type and magnitude of exposure.(*8) Use a positive pressure air supplied respirator if there is a potential for an uncontrolled release, exposure levels are not known, or under any other circumstance where air purifying respirators may not provide adequate protection.
Appearance: Multi-coloured stone
Odour: Odourless
pH: NA
Melting Point/Freezing Point: NA
Initial Boiling Point/Boiling Range: NA
Flash Point: NA
Evaporation Rate: NA
Flammability: NA
Upper and Lower Flammability/Explosive Limits: NA
Vapour Pressure: NA
Vapour Density: NA
Relative Density (EN-14617-1): NA
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Partition Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (EN-14617-11): NA
Auto-ignition Temperature: NA
Decomposition Temperature: NA
Viscosity: NA
Reactivity: Stable under normal conditions of use, storage and transport.
Chemical Stability: Stable at normal temperatures and storage conditions.
Physical Stability: Avoid strong impacts that may cause the material to break.
Incompatibility with Other Materials: Incompatible with hydrofluoric acid.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition can release various hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. Fumes of metal oxides and mica particles could also be released.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
No acute or chronic effects are known from exposure to the intact product.
Primary Routes of Exposure: None for intact product. Inhalation and potential exposure to eyes, hands, lungs or other body parts if contact is made with dust emitted from the Fabrication Process.
Acute Effects: Breathing dust may cause acute mechanical respiratory irritation. Skin and eye contact may cause mechanical irritation.
Respiratory Effects
Crystalline Silica (SiO2)
Exposure to respirable crystalline particles of a very small size (less than 10 microns) may cause silicosis, an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease. Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue, causing inflammation and scarring and reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. Symptoms of silicosis can include progressive shortness of breath, cough and fatigue. Safety measures including wet processing and the use of effective respiratory protection will reduce the burden of inhaled dust and prevent the disease.
Carcinogenicity: The following components are listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA or ACGIH as carcinogens.
| Material | IARC | NTP | OSHA | ACGIH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silica, Crystalline (quartz) | Group 1 carcinogenic to humans | known to be a carcinogen | Yes regulates as carcinogen | A2 suspected human carcinogen |
Teratogenicity: No data
Mutagenicity: No data
Name of toxicologically synergistic products: No data
Toxicity Testing Data
Crystalline Silica: Inhalation (human) LCLo: 0.3mg/m3/10Y
Inhalation (human) TCLo: 16mppcf/8H/17,9Y
Intermittent; focal fibrosis, (pneumoconiosis), cough, dysponea
Inhalation (rat) TCLo: 50mg/m3/6H/71W
Intermittent; liver – tumors
Oral LD50 RAT: 500 mg/kg
Sensitization: No Data
Mutagenicity: No Data
Reproductive Effects: No Data
Developmental Effects: No Data
Toxicity is expected to be low, based on the insolubility of the product and of the silica dust in water. ConcettoTM does not contain ecotoxins and also due to its physical-chemical nature, it inhibits the growth of micro-organisms on its surface.
Environmental Fate: No data
Environmental Toxicity: No data
Environmental Fate: No data
Environmental Toxicity: No data
Waste Disposal Method: Preferred options for disposal are (1) recycling, and (2) landfill. All disposal must be carried out in accordance with all the laws, requirements and guidelines applicable in the location of the user of ConcettoTM products.(*6) Performance of landfill should be made in an appropriate waste disposal facility approved by local authorities.
| ADR(*7)/ RID(*10)/ IMO(*8)/ ICAO(*9)/ US DOT(*10) | Proper Shipping Name | Not Regulated |
| ADR(*7)/ RID(*10)/ IMO(*8)/ ICAO(*9)/ US DOT(*10) | Hazard Class | Not Regulated |
| ADR(*7)/ RID(*10)/ IMO(*8)/ ICAO(*9)/ US DOT(*10) | ID Number | Not Regulated |
| ADR(*7)/ RID(*10)/ IMO(*8)/ ICAO(*9)/ US DOT(*10) | Packaging Group | Not Regulated |
This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is according to (EC) No 1272/2008 and the CLP Regulation.
U.S. Federal Regulations:
SARA Title III(*11) Hazard Classes:
Fire Hazard: No
Reactive Hazard: No
Release of Pressure: No
Acute Health Hazard: No
Chronic Health Hazard: Yes
TSCA:(*12) All components of this product are on the TSCA inventory or are exempt from TSCA Inventory requirements.
U.S. State Regulations: California Prop 65 List: Crystalline silica is classified as a substance known to the State of California to be a carcinogen.
Inventory Information: The substances in this document have been checked against the EINECS,(*13) ELINCS,(*14) and the NLP(*15) list. Substances not identified on these inventories are exempt from notification requirements. (The EINECS number for Quartz: 238-878-4.)
Hazard Ratings according to: NFPA(R)(*16) and HMIS(*17)
Health Hazard: 1
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
Key Legend Information:
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
NA Not Applicable
NTP National Toxicology Program
PEL (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit
STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
TLV Threshold Limit Value
TWA Time Weighted Average
References:
___________________________________________
(*1) – Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)-UNECE- GHS (Rev.4) (2011).
(*2) – According to Standards for Gloves – EN 388: 2003.
(*3) – Germany no longer uses a PEL for quartz. Employers are obliged to minimize exposure as much as possible, and to follow certain protective measures.
(*4) – See OSHA – 29 CFR 1910.1053.
(*5) – Abbreviations: see Section 16.
(*6) – 91/156/EEC and 199/31/CEE and the law 10/98, April 21 and RD 1481/2001, 27 December.
(*7) – ADR and RID stand for the European Agreements Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and by Road (ADR) and the Joint meeting of RID Safety Committee and the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (WP.15). The RID Safety Committee and WP.15 administer the European Agreements governing the Regulations Concerning the International Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and Road (ADR), respectively.
(*8) – International Classes for Dangerous Goods
(*9) – International Civil Aviation Organization
(*10) – Department of Transportation
(*11) – Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act – Title III of SARA is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).
(*12) – Section 8 (b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to compile, keep current and publish a list of each chemical substance that is manufactured or processed, including imports, in the United States for uses under TSCA inventory.
(*13) – European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances
(*14) – European List of Notified Chemical Substances
(*15) – No Longer Polymer
(*16) – National Fire Protection Association
(*17) – Hazardous Materials Identification System
