U. S. SILICA COMPANY
MSDS - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
SECTION 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Product Names/Trade Names:
Silica Sand sold under various names: ASTM TESTING SANDS 鈥? GLASS SAND 鈥? FLINT SILICA 鈥? DM-SERIES 鈥?
F-SERIES 鈥? FOUNDRY SANDS 鈥? FJ-SERIES 鈥? FP-SERIES 鈥? H-SERIES 鈥? L-SERIES 鈥? N-SERIES 鈥? NJ-SERIES 鈥? OK-
SERIES 鈥? P-SERIES 鈥? T-SERIES 鈥? HYDRAULIC FRACING SANDS 鈥? MIN-U-SIL庐 鈥? MYSTIC WHITE庐 鈥? #1 DRY 鈥?
#1 SPECIAL 鈥? PENN SAND庐 鈥? Q-ROK庐 鈥? SIL-CO-SIL庐 鈥? SUPERSIL庐.
Sand, Silica Sand, Quartz, Crystalline Silica, Flint, Ground Silica.
Synonyms/Common Names:
Manufacturer's Name: Emergency Telephone Number: 304-258-2500
U. S. Silica Company 304-258-8295 (fax)
P. O. Box 187
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 Date Prepared: September 15, 2000
SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Ingredients:
Chemical Typical %,
Formula By Weight CAS #
Crystalline Silica (quartz) SiO2 99.0 - 99.9 14808-60-7
Aluminum Oxide Al2O3 < .8 1344-28-1
Iron Oxide Fe2O3 < .1 1309-37-1
Titanium Oxide TiO2 < .1 13463-67-7
Exposure Limits for Hazardous Ingredients:
OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV NIOSH REL
3
10 mg/m
.05 .05
Crystalline Silica (Quartz) % SiO2 +2
The exposure limits are time-weighted average concentrations for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek.
Crystalline silica exists in several forms, the most common of which is quartz. If crystalline silica (quartz) is heated to more
than 870掳C, it can change to a form of crystalline silica known as trydimite, and if crystalline silica (quartz) is heated to more
than 1470掳C, it can change to a form of crystalline silica known as cristobalite. The OSHA PEL for crystalline silica as
trydimite and cristobalite is one-half of the OSHA PEL for crystalline silica (quartz).
SECTION 3 - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:
The U. S. Silica Company material is a white or tan sand, or ground sand. It is not flammable, combustible or explosive. It
does not cause burns or severe skin or eye irritation. A single exposure will not result in serious adverse health effects.
Crystalline silica (quartz) is not known to be an environmental hazard.
Crystalline silica (quartz) is incompatible with hydrofluoric acid, fluorine, chlorine trifluoride or oxygen difluoride.
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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:
Inhalation:
a. Silicosis Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs.
Silicosis may be progressive; it may lead to disability and death.
b. Cancer Crystalline silica (quartz) inhaled from occupational sources is classified as carcinogenic
to humans.
c. Autoimmune Diseases There are some studies that show excess numbers of cases of scleroderma and other
connective tissue disorders in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.
d. Tuberculosis Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis.
e. Nephrotoxicity There are some studies that show an increased incidence of chronic kidney disease and
end-stage renal disease in workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.
Eye Contact: Crystalline silica (quartz) may cause abrasion of the cornea.
Skin Contact: Not applicable.
Ingestion: Not applicable.
Chronic Effects: The adverse health effects -- silicosis, cancer, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, and nephrotoxicity -- are
chronic effects.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: Generally, there are no signs or symptoms of exposure to crystalline silica (quartz).
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: The condition of individuals with lung disease (e.g., bronchitis,
emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can be aggravated by exposure.
See Section 11, Toxicological Information, for additional detail on potential adverse health effects.
SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
Inhalation: No specific first-aid is necessary since the adverse health effects associated with exposure to crystalline silica
(quartz) result from chronic exposures. If there is a gross inhalation of crystalline silica (quartz), remove the person
immediately to fresh air, give artificial respiration as needed, seek medical attention as needed.
Eye Contact: Wash immediately with water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Not applicable.
Ingestion: Not applicable.
SECTION 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Crystalline silica (quartz) is not flammable, combustible or explosive.
SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Spills: Use dustless methods (vacuum) and place into closable container for disposal, or flush with water. Do not dry sweep.
Wear protective equipment specified below.
Waste Disposal Method: See Section 13.
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SECTION 7 - HANDLING AND STORAGE
Precautions During Handling and Use: Do not breath dust. Use adequate ventilation and dust collection. Keep airborne
dust concentrations below PEL. Do not rely on your sight to determine if dust is in the air. Silica may be in the air without a
visible dust cloud. If dust cannot be kept below permissible limits, wear a respirator approved for silica dust when using,
handling, storing or disposing of this product or bag. Practice good housekeeping. Do not permit dust to collect on walls,
floors, sills, ledges, machinery, or equipment. Maintain, clean, and fit test respirators in accordance with OSHA regulations.
Maintain and test ventilation and dust collection equipment. Wash or vacuum clothing that has become dusty. See also
control measures in Section 8.
Precautions During Storage: Avoid breakage of bagged material or spills of bulk material. See control measures in
Section 8.
Do not use U. S. Silica Company materials for sandblasting.
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR Sections 1910.1200, 1915.1200, 1917.28, 1918.90, 1926.59 and
1928.21, and state and local worker or community "right-to-know" laws and regulations should be strictly followed. WARN
YOUR EMPLOYEES (AND YOUR CUSTOMERS IN CASE OF RESALE) BY POSTING AND OTHER MEANS OF
THE HAZARDS AND THE REQUIRED OSHA PRECAUTIONS. PROVIDE TRAINING FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES
ABOUT THE OSHA PRECAUTIONS.
See also American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard practice E 1132-99a, "Standard Practice for Health
Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica."
SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Local Exhaust: Use sufficient local exhaust to reduce the level of respirable crystalline silica to below the PEL. See ACGIH
"Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practice" (latest edition).
Respiratory Protection: The following chart specifies the types of respirators which may provide respiratory protection for
crystalline silica.
Particulate MINIMUM RESPIRATORY PROTECTION*
Concentration
10 x PEL or less Any particulate respirator, except single-use or quarter-mask respirator.
Any fume respirator or high efficiency particulate filter respirator.
Any supplied-air respirator.
Any self-contained breathing apparatus.
50 x PEL or less A high efficiency particulate filter respirator with a full facepiece.
Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece, helmet, or hood.
Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.
500 x PEL or less A Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or
continuous-flow mode.
Greater than 500 x Self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand mode.
PEL or entry and A combination respirator which includes a Type C supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
escape from operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure continuous-flow mode and an auxiliary
unknown self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure
concentrations mode.
*Use only NIOSH-approved or MSHA-approved equipment. See 29 CFR 搂1910.134 and 42 CFR 搂84.
See also ANSI standard Z88.2 (latest revision) "American National Standard for Respiratory Protection".
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Permissible Exposure Levels:
Exposure Guidelines
Percentage OSHA ACGIH NIOSH
Component CAS No. (by wt.) TWA STEL TWA STEL TWA STEL Unit
Crystalline
10
Silica (quartz) 14808-60-7 99.0-99.9 None .05 None .05 None mg/m鲁
% SiO2 +2
SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
White or tan sand; granular, crushed, or ground.
Appearance:
4046掳F None
Boiling Point: Odor:
None 2.65
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg.): Specific Gravity (Water = 1):
None 3110掳F
Vapor Density (Air = 1): Melting Point:
Insoluble in water None
Solubility in Water: Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate = 1):
SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability: Crystalline silica (quartz) is stable.
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Contact with powerful oxidizing agents, such as fluorine, chlorine trifluoride and
oxygen difluoride, may cause fires.
Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Silica will dissolve in hydrofluoric acid and produce a corrosive gas - silicon
tetrafluoride.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
A. SILICOSIS
The major concern is silicosis, caused by the inhalation and retention of respirable crystalline silica dust. Silicosis can
exist in several forms, chronic (or ordinary), accelerated, or acute.
Chronic or Ordinary Silicosis (often referred to as Simple 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 centimeter in diameter,
primarily in the upper lung zones. Often, simple silicosis is not 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 centimeter
in diameter. Although there may be no symptoms associated with complicated silicosis or PMF, the symptoms, if
present, are shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and sputum production. Complicated silicosis or PMF may be
associated with decreased lung function and may be disabling. Advanced complicated silicosis or PMF may lead to
death. Advanced complicated silicosis or PMF can result in heart disease secondary to the lung disease (cor pumonale).
Accelerated Silicosis can occur with exposure to high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica over a relatively short
period; the lung lesions can appear within five (5) years of the initial exposure. The progression can be rapid. Accelerated
silicosis is similar to chronic or ordinary silicosis, except that the lung lesions appear earlier and the progression is more
rapid.
Acute Silicosis can occur with exposures to very high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica over a very short time
period, sometimes as short as a few months. The symptoms of acute silicosis include progressive shortness of breath,
fever, cough and weight loss. Acute silicosis is fatal.
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B. CANCER
IARC - The International Agency for Research on Cancer ("IARC") concluded that there was "sufficient evidence in
humans for the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica in the forms of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources", and
that there is "sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of quartz and cristobalite." The overall
IARC evaluation was that "crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is
carcinogenic to humans (Group 1)." The IARC evaluation noted that "carcinogenicity was not detected in all industrial
circumstances studies. Carcinogenicity may be dependent on inherent characteristics of the crystalline silica or on
external factors affecting its biological activity or distribution of its polymorphs." For further information on the IARC
evaluation, see IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 68, "Silica, Some
Silicates..." (1997).
NTP - The National Toxicology Program, in its Ninth Annual Report on Carcinogens, classified "silica, crystalline
(respirable)" as a known human carcinogen.
OSHA - Crystalline silica (quartz) is not regulated by the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a
carcinogen.
There have been many articles published on the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica, which the reader should consult for
additional information; the following are examples of recently published articles: (1) "Crystalline Silica and Lung
Cancer: The Problem of Conflicting Evidence", Indoor Built Environ, Volume 8, pp. 121-126 (1998); (2) "Crystalline
Silica and the risk of lung cancer on the potteries", Occup. Environ. Med., Volume 55, pp. 779-785 (1998); (3) "Is
Silicosis Required for Silica-Associated Lung Cancer?", American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Volume 37, pp. 252-
259 (2000); (4) " Silica, Silicosis, and Lung Cancer: A Risk Assessment", American Journal of Industrial Medicine,
Volume 38, pp. 8-18 (2000); (5) "Silica, Silicosis, and Lung Cancer: A Response to a Recent Working Group Report",
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Volume 42, pp. 704-720 (2000).
C. AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
There is evidence that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (without silicosis) or that the disease silicosis is associated
with the increased incidence of several autoimmune disorders, -- scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid
arthritis and diseases affecting the kidneys. For a review of the subject, the following may be consulted: 鈥淥ccupational
Exposure to Crystalline Silica and Autoimmune Disease鈥?, Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 107, Supplement
5, pp. 793-802 (1999); "Occupational Scleroderma", Current Opinion in Rheumatology, Volume 11, pp. 490-494 (1999).
D. TUBERCULOSIS
Individuals with silicosis are at increased risk to develop pulmonary tuberculosis, if exposed to persons with tuberculosis.
The following may be consulted for further information: Occupational Lung Disorders, Third Edition, Chapter 12, entitled
"Silicosis and Related Diseases", Parkes, W. Raymond (1994); "Risk of pulmonary tuberculosis relative to silicosis and
exposure to silica dust in South African gold miners," Occup Environ Med., Volume 55, pp.496-502 (1998).
E. KIDNEY DISEASE
There is evidence that exposure to respirable crystalline silica (without silicosis) or that the disease silicosis is associated
with the increased incidence of kidney diseases, including end stage renal disease. For additional information on the
subject, the following may be consulted: "Kidney Disease and Silicosis鈥?, Nephron, Volume 85, pp. 14-19 (2000).
SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Crystalline silica (quartz) is not known to be ecotoxic; i.e., there is no data which suggests that crystalline silica (quartz) is
toxic to birds, fish, invertebrates, microorganisms or plants. For additional information on crystalline silica (quartz), see
Sections 9 (physical and chemical properties) and 10 (stability and reactivity) of this MSDS.
SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
General: The packaging and material may be landfilled; however, material should be covered to minimize generation of
airborne dust.
RCRA: Crystalline silica (quartz) is not classified as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
or its regulations, 40 CFR 搂261 et seq.
The above applies to materials as sold by U.S. Silica Company. The material may be contaminated during use, and it is the
responsibility of the user to assess the appropriate disposal of the used material.
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SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Crystalline silica (quartz) is not a hazardous material for purposes of transportation under the U. S. Department of
Transportation Table of Hazardous Materials, 49 CFR 搂172.101.
SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION
UNITED STATES (FEDERAL AND STATE)
TSCA No.: Crystalline silica (quartz) appears on the EPA TSCA inventory under the CAS No. 14808-60-7.
RCRA: Crystalline silica (quartz) is not classified as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act, or its regulations, 40 CFR 搂261 et seq.
CERCLA: Crystalline silica (quartz) is not classified as a hazardous substance under regulations of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), 40 CFR 搂302.
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act: Crystalline silica (quartz) is not an extremely hazardous
substance under Section 302 and is not a toxic chemical subject to the requirements of Section 313.
Clean Air Act: Crystalline silica (quartz) mined and processed by U.S. Silica Company was not processed with or does
not contain any Class I or Class II ozone depleting substances.
FDA: Silica is included in the list of substances that may be included in coatings used in food contact surfaces, 21 CFR
搂175.300(b)(3)(xxvi).
NTP: Respirable crystalline silica (quartz) is classified as a carcinogen.
OSHA Carcinogen: Crystalline silica (quartz) is not listed.
California Proposition 65: Crystalline silica (quartz) is classified as a substance known to the State of California to be a
carcinogen.
CANADA
Domestic Substances List: U. S. Silica Company products, as naturally-occurring substances, are on the Canadian DSL.
WHMIS Classification: D2A
OTHER
EINECS No.: 238-878-4
EEC Label (Risk/Safety Phrases): R 48/20, R 40/20, S22, S38
IARC: Crystalline silica (quartz) is classified in IARC Group 1.
National, state, provincial or local emergency planning, community right-to-know or other laws, regulations or
ordinances may be applicable--consult applicable national, state, provincial or local laws.
SECTION 16 - OTHER INFORMATION
Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS):
Health *
Flammability 0
Reactivity 0
Protective Equipment E
* For further information on health effects, see Sections 3 and 11 of this MSDS.
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National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
Health 0
Flammability 0
Reactivity 0
Web Sites with Information about Effects of Crystalline Silica Exposure:
http://www.osha.gov - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Home Page, click on "Technical Links", then
click on "silica, crystalline".
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/silicpag.html - NIOSH Hotlinks to Silicosis Prevention.
U. S. SILICA COMPANY DISCLAIMER
The information and recommendations contained herein are based upon data believed to be correct. However, no
guarantee or warranty of any kind, express or implied, is made with respect to the information contained herein. We
accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability for any harmful effects which may be caused by purchase, resale, use
or exposure to our silica. Customers-users of silica must comply with all applicable health and safety laws,
regulations, and orders, including the OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard.
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