Emerson Process Management OXYMITTER 4000 SECTION V. HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Instruction Manual

IB-106-340C Rev. 4.1

July 2004

Rosemount Analytical Inc. A Division of Emerson Process Management P-17

Hazardous Area Oxymitter 4000

SECTION V. HEALTH HAZARD DATA

(See Section III)

EYE

Avoid contact with eyes. Slightly to moderately irritating. Abrasive action may cause damage to outer surface

of eye.

INHALATION

May cause respiratory tract irritation. Repeated or prolonged breathing of particles of respirable size may cause

inflammation of the lung leading to chest pain, difficult breathing, coughing and possible fibrotic change in the

lung (Pneumoconiosis). Pre-existing medical conditions may be aggravated by exposure: specifically, bron-

chial hyper-reactivity and chronic bronchial or lung disease.

INGESTION

May cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Symptoms may include irritation and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

SKIN

Slightly to moderate irritating. May cause irritation and inflammation due to mechanical reaction to sharp, bro-

ken ends of fibers.

Product which has been in service at elevated temperatures (greater than 1800ºF/982ºC) may undergo partial

conversion to cristobalite, a form of crystalline silica which can cause severe respiratory disease (Pneumoco-

niosis). The amount of cristobalite present will depend on the temperature and length of time in service. (See

Section IX for permissible exposure levels).

The existing toxicology and epidemiology data bases for RCF’s are still preliminary. Information will be up-

dated as studies are completed and reviewed. The following is a review of the results to date:

EPIDEMIOLOGY

At this time there are no known published reports demonstrating negative health outcomes of workers exposed

to refractory ceramic fiber (RCF). Epidemiologic investigations of RCF production workers are ongoing.

1) There is no evidence of any fibrotic lung disease (interstitial fibrosis) whatsoever on x-ray.

2) There is no evidence of any lung disease among those employees exposed to RCF that had never smoked.

3) A statistical “trend” was observed in the exposed population between the duration of exposure to RCF and a

decrease in some measures of pulmonary function. These observations are clinically insignificant. In other words, if

these observations were made on an individual employee, the results would be interpreted as being within the

normal range.

4) Pleural plaques (thickening along the chest wall) have been observed in a small number of employees who had a

long duration of employment. There are several occupational and non-occupational causes for pleural plaque. It

should be noted that plaques are not “pre-cancer” nor are they associated with any measurable effect on lung

function.