Health & Safety

Product Name: Caesarstone^® surfaces

This Safety Data Sheet relates to Caesarstone Classico, Supernatural and Metropolitan collections

SDS Revision Date: January 2020

Product Use: Caesarstone^® 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.

The finished Caesarstone^® is an inert, stable product that does not release hazardous materials in its fully intact form. 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 Caesarstone^® slabs are at risk for significant respirable crystalline silica exposure. 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, including during installation or removal of the product.

In this SDS Caesarstone^® slabs are referred to also as “products”.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The following relates to the formation of dust, e.g., during Fabrication Processes.

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, installation and/or removing/demolishing processes.

P264 Wash face and hands thoroughly after handling and fabricating. 

P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P284 Wear respiratory protection for particles (P3/N95 or higher).

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.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including silica and titanium dioxide, that become airborne and respirable when fabricating the product and are classified by the State of California as causing cancer and birth defects. For information see www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

Potential Health Effects

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 the 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 thought, 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 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.

*The percentage of Feldspar was lowered recently from 65% to 15%. There may still be products in the market that may contain up to 65% Feldspar. 

Percentage refers to maximum possible per slab; presence and percentage depend on specific slab model.

Eye Contact with Dust: Flush immediately with copious amounts of water for 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.

Extinguishing Media: Water, dry chemical, CO₂ and foam.

Special Firefighting Procedures and Personal Protective Equipment: 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 Caesarstone^® slabs.³ 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 Caesarstone^® product in the CLP (EC) regulation no. 1272/2008.

However, in Fabrication Processes of the product, dust containing crystalline silica (SiO₂), other minerals, and titanium dioxide may be generated. USA OSHA determined a total dust PEL of 15 mg/m³, a respirable fraction PEL of 5 mg/m^3,4 and a titanium dioxide (total dust) PEL of 15 mg/m³.

Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for crystalline silica as α-quartz and cristobalite (ACGIH 2019): 0.025 mg/m³. The TLV time-weighted average (TWA) for titanium dioxide is 10 mg/m³ (ACGIH, 2019).

Check the PELs applicable under the regulations of each country where you handle the product.

PELs for respirable crystalline silica and cristobalite, 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.)

*Fabricators who work at construction sites (for example, installers) should apply the PEL for construction; others should apply the PEL for general industry.
**Use ½ the value calculated from the count or mass formulae for crystalline silica.
*** Safe Work Australia recommended Dec 2019. Please refer to your respective State regulator.

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:

Engineering 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.⁸

Hand and Skin Protection:  Cotton or leather work gloves⁹ 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, preferably 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.¹⁰ 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.

Medical Surveillance: Each worker should undergo relevant health surveillance prior to exposure and at regular intervals thereafter.

Appearance: Multicolored solid engineered stone

Odor: Odorless

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

Vapor Pressure: NA

Vapor Density: NA

Relative Density (EN-14617-1): 2100-2411 kg/m³

Solubility: Insoluble in water

Partition Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (EN-14617-11): 13.4-26.4·10^-6 ºC^-1

Auto-ignition Temperature: NA

Decomposition Temperature: NA     

Viscosity: NA

Fire Resistance (EN 13501-1): B-s1-d0/B-fl-s1

Fire Spreading Rating (ASTM E84): Class A 0-25

Smoke Developed Rating (ASTM E84): Class A 0-450

Reactivity:  The product is 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: This product is 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 generated from the above processes may cause acute mechanical respiratory irritation, including coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing.  

Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Skin contact may cause mechanical irritation.

Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Eye contact may cause mechanical irritation.

Respiratory Effects

Crystalline Silica (SiO₂)

Repeated, long-term 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.

Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)

Exposure to respirable titanium dioxide particles may cause lung fibrosis and nuisance particulate accumulation in lungs. NIOSH recommends exposure limits of 2.4 mg/m³ for fine TiO₂ as time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations for up to 10 hours per day during a 40-hour work week. These recommendations represent levels that over a working lifetime are estimated to reduce risks of lung cancer to below 1 in 1,000.

Carcinogenicity: The following components are listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA or ACGIH as carcinogens.

Teratogenicity: No data

Mutagenicity: No data

Name of toxicologically synergistic products: No data

Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single and Repeated Exposure:

Silicosis is caused by the inhalation and retention of respirable crystalline silica dust. Silicosis can exist in several forms, chronic and accelerated (acute). Chronic silicosis is the most common form of silicosis and can occur after many years of exposure to relatively low levels of airborne respirable crystalline silica dust. It is further defined as either simple or complicated silicosis. Simple silicosis is characterized by lung lesions (shown as radiographic opacities) less than 1 centimetre in diameter, primarily in the upper lung zones. Simple silicosis may not be associated with symptoms, detectable changes in lung function, or disability. Simple silicosis may be progressive and may develop into complicated silicosis or progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Complicated silicosis or PMF is characterized by lung lesions (shown as radiographic opacities) greater than 1 centimetre in diameter. Symptoms, if present, are shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and sputum production.

Toxicity Testing Data:

Crystalline Silica 

Inhalation (human) LCLo: 0.3 mg/m³/10Y 
Intermittent; focal fibrosis, (pneumoconiosis), cough, dysponea 
Intermittent; liver – tumors
Oral LD₅₀ RAT: 500 mg/kg

Sensitisation: No Data

Mutagenicity: No Data

Reproductive Effects: No Data

Developmental Effects: No Data

Ecotoxicity is expected to be low, based on the insolubility of the product and of the silica dust in water. Caesarstone^® does not contain ecotoxins and also due to its physical-chemical nature, it is not conducive to the growth of micro-organisms on its surface.

Environmental Fate: No data

Environmental Toxicity: No data is available regarding persistence and degradability, bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil, or other adverse effects

ISO 14001 Certification: Caesarstone^® is ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management Systems.

GREENGUARD Certification: Caesarstone^® is compliant with the GREENGUARD standard.

Quartz (14808-60-7)

Environmental Fate: No data is available regarding persistence and degradability, bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil, or other adverse effects.

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 Caesarstone^® products.¹¹ Performance of landfill should be made in an appropriate waste disposal facility approved by local authorities.

This Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is according to (EC) No 1272/2008 and the CLP Regulation.

U.S. Federal Regulations:

SARA Title III¹⁶ Hazard Classes:

• Fire Hazard: No
• Reactive Hazard: No
• Release of Pressure: No
• Acute Health Hazard: No
• Chronic Health Hazard: Yes

TSCA:¹⁷ All components of this product are on the TSCA inventory or are exempt from TSCA inventory requirements.

OSHA Communication Standard: This product meets the definition of a health hazard under 29 CFR Section 1910.1200.

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. Crystalline silica is on the Right-to-Know substance lists for New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Inventory Information: The substances in this document have been checked against the EINECS,¹⁸ ELINCS,¹⁹ and the NLP²⁰ list. Substances not identified on these inventories are exempt from notification requirements. (The EINECS number for Quartz: 238-878-4.)

Product should be used according to manufacturer using instructions and local regulations Hazard Ratings according to: NFPA(R)²¹ and HMIS.²²

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

TLV                Threshold Limit Value

TWA              Time Weighted Average

NIOSH            National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

References

• Registry for Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS), 2006.
• OSHA/NIOSH Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation, 2015 — http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-106/pdfs/2015-106.pdf
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, Silicosis mortality trends and new exposures to respirable crystalline silica – U.S., 2001-2010. (February 13, 2015)
• NIOSH Hazard Review — Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, April 2002.
• NTP Eleventh Report on Carcinogens, 2005.
• IARC Monograph Volume 68, Silica, Some Silicates and Organic Fibres, 1997.
• IARC Monograph; 14^th Report on Carcinogens. 2016. Silica, Crystalline (Respirable Size) (https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/roc/index-1.html#toc1)
• Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), 2004, 2006.
• Documentation of the TLV — Silica, Crystalline: α -Quartz and Cristobalite, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2006.

The information contained herein is believed to be correct and represents the best information currently available for Caesarstone^®. However, Caesarstone makes no warranties, expressed or implied, of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from the use thereof. Under no circumstances does the data contained in this Safety Data Sheet constitute a guarantee of specific properties other than such properties explicitly mentioned in this SDS or create any contractual relationship. The user of the product only is responsible for determining the suitability of Caesarstone’s products for its particular application.

It is the exclusive responsibility of the recipient of our product to find out the applicable laws, rules, practices and regulations prior to using the product and to comply with them in all respects. You should note that applicable national and international regulations and laws may change from time to time and it is your responsibility to follow such changes.

The contents of this Safety Data Sheet must not be interpreted as a recommendation to use any product in violation of the laws or safety practices.

Further information is available at https://www.osha.gov/silica/ and at http://www.nepsi.eu/ and in the Guide to Good Practice for the Agreement on Workers' Health Protection Through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing It, published by NEPSI. See also the Caesarstone website for safety instructions and recommendations at: www.mos.caesarstone.com.

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¹Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)-UNECE- GHS (Rev.4) (2011).  

²Up to 4.5% of material, the specific identity of which is a trade secret of Caesarstone. Exposure control of this material is treated under quartz/silica exposure and does not require additional protective means. Health Hazards related to this material according to OSHA: Carcinogenic Classification: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. Potential Symptoms: Fibrotic pneumoconiosis. Health Effects: Pneumoconiosis. Affected Organs: Lungs, CVS.

³According to Standards for Gloves - EN 388: 2003.

⁴Values are from Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR) limit.

⁵Germany no longer uses a PEL for quartz, cristobalite and tridymite. Employers are obliged to minimize exposure as much as possible, and to follow certain protective measures.

⁶See OSHA - 29 CFR 1926.1153. Values are for: silica, crystalline, α-quartz.

⁷Abbreviations: see Section 16.

⁸According to 29CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166. Values are for: silica, crystalline, α-quartz.

⁹According to Standards for Gloves - EN 388: 2003.

¹⁰According to 29 CFR 1910.134 for appropriate NIOSH approved respirators, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication NO. 2001-145 for equipment selection and EN-143: 2001 and its revisions EN-143/AC: 2002, and EN-143/AC: 2005.

¹¹91/156/EEC and 199/31/CEE and the law 10/98, April 21 and RD 1481/2001, 27 December.

¹²ADR 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.

¹³International Classes for Dangerous Goods

¹⁴International Civil Aviation Organization

¹⁵Department of Transportation

¹⁶Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act - Title III of SARA is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).

¹⁷Section 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.

¹⁸European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances

¹⁹European List of Notified Chemical Substances

²⁰No Longer Polymer

²¹National Fire Protection Association

²²Hazardous Materials Identification System