Slags, precious metal refining

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Description of first aid measures  

 Eye contact : Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Check for and remove any contact lenses. Continue to rinse for at least 10 minutes. Get medical attention.  

 Inhalation : Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If not breathing, if breathing is irregular or if respiratory arrest occurs, provide artificial respiration or oxygen by trained personnel. It may be dangerous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Get medical attention. If unconscious, place in recovery position and get medical attention immediately. Maintain an open airway. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.  

 Skin contact : Flush contaminated skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash contaminated clothing thoroughly with water before removing it, or wear gloves. Continue to rinse for at least 10 minutes. Get medical attention. Wash clothing before reuse. Clean shoes thoroughly before reuse.  

 Ingestion : Wash out mouth with water. Remove dentures if any. Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If material has been swallowed and the exposed person is conscious, give small quantities of water to drink. Stop if the exposed person feels sick as vomiting may be dangerous. Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. If vomiting occurs, the head should be kept low so that vomit does not enter the lungs. Get medical attention. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If unconscious, place in recovery position and get medical attention immediately. Maintain an open airway. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.  

 Protection of first-aiders : No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training. If it is suspected that fumes are still present, the rescuer should wear an appropriate mask or self-contained breathing apparatus. It may be dangerous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Wash contaminated clothing thoroughly with water before removing it, or wear gloves.  

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed  

Potential acute health effects  

 Eye contact : Causes serious eye irritation.  

 Inhalation : No known significant effects or critical hazards.  

 Skin contact : Causes skin irritation.

 Ingestion : Harmful if swallowed. Irritating to mouth, throat and stomach.  

Over-exposure signs/symptoms  

 Eye contact :Adverse symptoms may include the following:

pain or irritation

watering

redness  

 Inhalation : Adverse symptoms may include the following:

reduced fetal weight

increase in fetal deaths

skeletal malformations  

 Skin contact : Adverse symptoms may include the following:

reduced fetal weight

increase in fetal deaths

skeletal malformations  

 Ingestion : Adverse symptoms may include the following:

reduced fetal weight

increase in fetal deaths

skeletal malformations  

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed  

 Notes to physician : Treat symptomatically. Contact poison treatment specialist immediately if large quantities have been ingested or inhaled.  

 Specific treatments : No specific treatment.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing media  

 Suitable extinguishing media : Use an extinguishing agent suitable for the surrounding fire.  

 Unsuitable extinguishing media : None known.  

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture  

 Hazards from the substance or mixture : This material is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Fire water contaminated with this material must be contained and prevented from being discharged to any waterway, sewer or drain.  

See Section 11 (SDS) for more detailed information on health effects and symptoms.  

 Hazardous combustion products : Decomposition products may include the following materials:

metal oxide/oxides

Advice for firefighters  

 Special precautions for fire-fighters : Promptly isolate the scene by removing all persons from the vicinity of the incident if there is a fire. No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training.  

 Special protective equipment for fire-fighters : Fire-fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full face-piece operated in positive pressure mode. Clothing for fire-fighters (including helmets, protective boots and gloves) conforming to European standard EN 469 will provide a basic level of protection for chemical incidents.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures  

 For non-emergency personnel : No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training. Evacuate surrounding areas. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from entering. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Provide adequate ventilation. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate. Put on appropriate personal protective equipment.  

 For emergency responders : If specialised clothing is required to deal with the spillage, take note of any information in Section 8 on suitable and unsuitable materials. See also the information in "For non-emergency personnel".  

Environmental precautions : Avoid dispersal of spilled material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers. Inform the relevant authorities if the product has caused environmental pollution (sewers, waterways, soil or air). Water polluting material. May be harmful to the environment if released in large quantities. Collect spillage.  

Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up  

 Small spill : Move containers from spill area. Avoid dust generation. Do not dry sweep. Vacuum dust with equipment fitted with a HEPA filter and place in a closed, labeled waste container. Place spilled material in a designated, labeled waste container. Dispose of via a licensed waste disposal contractor.  

 Large spill : Move containers from spill area. Approach release from upwind. Prevent entry into sewers, water courses, basements or confined areas. Avoid dust generation. Do not dry sweep. Vacuum dust with equipment fitted with a HEPA filter and place in a closed, labeled waste container. Dispose of via a licensed waste disposal contractor.  

Reference to other sections : See Section 1 (SDS) for emergency contact information.

See Section 8 (SDS) for information on appropriate personal protective equipment.

See Section 13 (SDS) for additional waste treatment information.

Handling and storage

The information in this section contains generic advice and guidance. The list of Identified Uses in Section 1 (SDS) should be consulted for any available use-specific information provided in the Exposure Scenario(s).  

Precautions for safe handling  

 Protective measures :  

Put on appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8). Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use. Avoid exposure during pregnancy. Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. Do not get in eyes or on skin or clothing. Do not ingest. Avoid release to the environment. If during normal use the material presents a respiratory hazard, use only with adequate ventilation or wear appropriate respirator. Keep in the original container or an approved alternative made from a compatible material, kept tightly closed when not in use. Empty containers retain product residue and can be hazardous. Do not reuse container.  

 Advice on general occupational hygiene : Eating, drinking and smoking should be prohibited in areas where this material is handled, stored and processed. Workers should wash hands and face before eating, drinking and smoking. Remove contaminated clothing and protective equipment before entering eating areas. See also Section 8 (SDS) for additional information on hygiene measures.  

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities : Store in accordance with local regulations. Store in original container protected from direct sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials (see Section 10 SDS ) and food and drink. Store locked up. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Containers that have been opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Do not store in unlabeled containers. Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination.  

Seveso II Directive - Reporting thresholds (in tonnes)  

Danger criteria  

Category / Notification and MAPP threshold / Safety report threshold  

E1: Hazardous to the aquatic environment - Acute 1 and Chronic 1 / 100 / 200  

C9i: Very toxic for the environment / 100 / 200

Specific end use(s)  

 Recommendations : Not available.  

 Industrial sector specific solutions: Not available.

Transport information

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shipping

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Exposure controls/personal protection  

The information in this section contains generic advice and guidance. The list of Identified Uses in Section 1 (SDS) should be consulted for any available use-specific information provided in the Exposure Scenario(s).  

Control parameters  

Occupational exposure limits  

Product/ingredient name: Lead monoxide

Exposure limit values: EU OEL (Europe, 12/2009). Notes: list of binding occupational  exposure limit values TWA: 0.15 mg/m³ 8 hours.

Product/ingredient name: diarsenic trioxide

Exposure limit values: Lijst Grenswaarden / Valeurs Limites (Belgium, 11/2011). Notes: As As TWA: 0.01 mg/m³, (as As) 8 hours.

Product/ingredient name: Selenium dioxide

Exposure limit values: Lijst Grenswaarden / Valeurs Limites (Belgium, 11/2011). Notes: As Se TWA: 0.2 mg/m³, (as Se) 8 hours.

 Recommended monitoring procedures : If this product contains ingredients with exposure limits, personal, workplace atmosphere or biological monitoring may be required to determine the effectiveness of the ventilation or other control measures and/or the necessity to use respiratory protective equipment. Reference should be made to monitoring standards, such as the following: European Standard EN 689 (Workplace atmospheres - Guidance for the assessment of exposure by inhalation to chemical agents for comparison with limit values and measurement strategy) European Standard EN 14042 (Workplace atmospheres - Guide for the application and use of procedures for the assessment of exposure to chemical and biological agents) European Standard EN 482 (Workplace atmospheres - General requirements for the performance of procedures for the measurement of chemical agents) Reference to national guidance documents for methods for the determination of hazardous substances will also be required.  

 

Derived effect levels  

Product/ingredient name: silver oxide

Type / Exposure / Value / Population / Effects  

DNEL / Inhalation / 0.107 mg/ m³/ Workers / -

  Product/ingredient name: diarsenic trioxide

Type / Exposure / Value / Population / Effects  

DNEL / Long term Oral / 0.0022 mg/kg bw/day / Workers / Systemic

DNEL / Long term Dermal / 0.112 mg/kg bw/day/ Workers / Systemic

DNEL / Long termInhalation/0.005 mg/m³ / Workers / Systemic

DNEL / Long term Oral / 0.0022 mg/kg bw/day / Consumers / Systemic

DNEL / Long term Dermal / 0.112 mg/kg bw/day / Consumers / Systemic

DNEL / Long term Inhalation/ 0.0025 mg/m³ / Consumers / Systemic

Predicted effect concentrations  

Product/ingredient name: silver oxide

Type / Compartment Detail / Value / Method Detail  

PNEC / Fresh water / 0.04 μg/l / -

PNEC / Marine / 0.92 μg/l / -

PNEC / Fresh water sediment / 468 mg/kg dwt / -

PNEC / Marine water sediment / 468 mg/kg dwt / -

PNEC / Soil / 850 μg/kg wwt / -

PNEC / Sewage Treatment Plant / 0.027 mg/l / -

 Product/ingredient name: diarsenic trioxide

Type / Compartment Detail / Value / Method Detail  

PNEC / Fresh water / 17.1 μg/l / -

PNEC / Marine / 1.2 μg/l / -

PNEC / Fresh water sediment / 171.1 mg/kg / -

PNEC / Marine water sediment / 12 mg/kg / -

PNEC / Soil / 0.7 mg/kg / -

PNEC / Sewage Treatment Plant / 80.3 μg/l / -

PNEC / Secondary Poisoning / 1.31 mg/kg / -

Exposure controls  

 Appropriate engineering controls : If user operations generate dust, fumes, gas, vapor or mist, use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep worker exposure to airborne contaminants below any recommended or statutory limits.  

Individual protection measures  

 Hygiene measures : Wash hands, forearms and face thoroughly after handling chemical products, before eating, smoking and using the lavatory and at the end of the working period. Appropriate techniques should be used to remove potentially contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are close to the workstation location.  

 Eye/face protection : Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard should be used when a risk assessment indicates this is necessary to avoid exposure to liquid splashes, mists, gases or dusts. If contact is possible, the following protection should be worn, unless the assessment indicates a higher degree of protection: chemical splash goggles.

Skin protection  

 Hand protection : Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn at all times when handling chemical products if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Considering the parameters specified by the glove manufacturer, check during use that the gloves are still retaining their protective properties. It should be noted that the time to breakthrough for any glove material may be different for different glove manufacturers. In the case of mixtures, consisting of several substances, the protection time of the gloves cannot be accurately estimated.  

 Body protection : Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.  

 Other skin protection : Appropriate footwear and any additional skin protection measures should be selected based on the task being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.  

 Respiratory protection : Use a properly fitted, particulate filter respirator complying with an approved standard if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Respirator selection must be based on known or anticipated exposure levels, the hazards of the product and the safe working limits of the selected respirator.  

 Environmental exposure controls : Emissions from ventilation or work process equipment should be checked to ensure they comply with the requirements of environmental protection legislation. In some cases, fume scrubbers, filters or engineering modifications to the process equipment will be necessary to reduce emissions to acceptable levels.

Stability and reactivity

Reactivity : No specific test data related to reactivity available for this product or its ingredients.  

Chemical stability : The product is stable.  

Possibility of hazardous reactions : Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous reactions will not occur.  

Conditions to avoid : No specific data.  

Incompatible materials : No specific data.  

Hazardous decomposition products : Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous decomposition products should not be produced.

Disposal considerations

The information in this section contains generic advice and guidance. The list of Identified Uses in Section 1 (SDS) should be consulted for any available use-specific information provided in the Exposure Scenario(s).  

Waste treatment methods  

Product  

 Methods of disposal : The generation of waste should be avoided or minimized wherever possible. Disposal of this product, solutions and any by-products should at all times comply with the requirements of environmental protection and waste disposal legislation and any regional local authority requirements. Dispose of surplus and non-recyclable products via a licensed waste disposal contractor. Waste should not be disposed of untreated to the sewer unless fully compliant with the requirements of all authorities with jurisdiction.  

 Hazardous waste : The classification of the product may meet the criteria for a hazardous waste.  

Packaging  

 Methods of disposal : The generation of waste should be avoided or minimized wherever possible. Waste packaging should be recycled. Incineration or landfill should only be considered when recycling is not feasible.  

 Special precautions : This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way. Care should be taken when handling emptied containers that have not been cleaned or rinsed out. Empty containers or liners may retain some product residues. Avoid dispersal of spilled material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers.