MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
FOR
QWIX?br>
SECTION I - IDENTIFICATION
Manufacturer Emergency Contact
Heartland Cement Sales Company (678) 463-7303
An Affiliate of Buzzi Unicem USA Inc. Dave Weber
100 Brodhead Road, Suite 230 Manager of Specialty Products
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Chemical Name and/or Synonyms Product Name/Synonyms
Ulti-Fill?br>
Crystal Modified Cementitious Accelerator
Chemical Family
Calcium Compounds with aluminum, iron, sulfur and silica oxides make up the majority of this product.
Major Compounds
CaO (40% to 50%) Calcium Oxide or lime CAS #1305-78-8
Al2O3 (15% to 25%) Aluminum Oxide or alumina CAS #1344-28-1
SO3 (15% to 25%) Sulfate crystals CAS #10043-01-3
SiO2 (5% to 10%) Crystalline Silica or quartz CAS #14808-60-7
Fe2O3 (1% to 5%) Ferric Oxide CAS #1309-37-1
SECTION 2 - COMPONENTS
Hazardous Ingredients
Silica Sand (Quartz) (CAS #14808-60-7) ?0.4%
ACGIH TLV-TWA (1995-1996) = 0.10 mg respirable quartz dust/m3
OSHA PEL-TWA = (30 mg total dust/m3)/(% SiO2 + 2)
OSHA PEL-TWA = (10 mg respirable dust/m3)/(% SiO2 + 2)
NIOSH PEL-TWA = 0.05 mg respirable quartz dust/m3
Trace Elements
Qwix?is made from materials mined from the earth and processed using energy provided by the burning
of fuels. Qwix?functions as a catalyst in the rapid hardening process of concrete. Trace amounts of
naturally occurring, potentially harmful chemicals might be detected during chemical analysis. Trace
constituents may include, but not necessarily limited to, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxides.
MSDS FOR QWIX
SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Emergency Overview
Qwix?is a gray powder that poses little immediate hazard. A single short term exposure to the dry
powder is not likely to cause serious harm. However, exposure of sufficient duration to wet cement can
cause serious, potentially irreversible tissue (skin or eye) destruction in the form of chemical (caustic)
burns, including third degree burns. The same type of tissue destruction can occur if wet or moist areas of
the body are exposed for sufficient duration to dry cement products.
Potential Health Effects
? Relevant Routes of Exposure:
Eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion.
? Effects resulting from eye contact:
Exposure to airborne dust may cause immediate or delayed irritation or inflammation.
Eye contact by larger amounts of dry powder or splashes of wet cement may cause effects ranging
from moderate eye irritation to chemical burns and blindness. Such exposures require immediate
first aid (see Section 4) and medical attention.
? Effects resulting from skin contact:
The most effective means of avoiding skin injury or illness involves minimizing skin contact,
particularly contact with wet cement. Exposed persons may not feel discomfort until hours after the
exposure has ended and significant injury has occurred.
Exposure to dry cement may cause drying of the skin with consequent mild irritation or more
significant effects attributable to aggravation of other conditions. Dry Qwix?in prolonged contact
with wet skin or prolonged exposure to moist or wet cement may cause more severe skin effects
including thickening, cracking, fissuring of the skin, or severe skin damage in the form of (caustic)
chemical burns.
Some individuals may exhibit an allergic response upon exposure to Qwix? possibly due to trace
amounts of chromium. The response may appear in a variety of forms ranging from a mild rash to
severe skin ulcers. Persons already sensitized may react to their first contact with the product. Other
persons may experience a delayed effect after years of contact with cementitious products.
? Effects resulting from inhalation:
Mild exposure to Qwix?may cause irritation to the moist mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and
upper respiratory system. It may also leave unpleasant deposits in the nose.
Qwix?contains free crystalline silica. Prolonged exposure to respirable free crystalline silica may
aggravate other lung conditions. It may also cause delayed lung injury, including silicosis, cancer,
tuberculosis, and/or other diseases.
? Effects resulting from ingestion:
Although small quantities of dust are not known to be harmful, ill effects are possible if larger
quantities are consumed. Qwix?should not be ingested.
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MSDS FOR QWIX
? Carcinogenic potential:
Cement is not listed as a carcinogen by NTP, OSHA, or IARC. It does, however, contain amounts of
substances, such as crystalline silica, listed as carcinogens by these organizations.
? Medical conditions which may be aggravated by inhalation or dermal exposure:
Pre-existing upper respiratory and lung diseases.
Unusual (hyper) sensitivity to hexavalent chromium (chromium +6) salts.
SECTION 4 - FIRST AID
Eyes
Immediately flush eyes thoroughly with water. Continue flushing eye for at least 15 minutes, including
under lids, to remove all particles. Call physician immediately.
Skin
Wash skin with cool water and pH-neutral soap or a mild detergent intended for use on skin. Seek
medical treatment in all cases of prolonged exposure to wet cement, cement mixtures, liquids from fresh
cement products, or prolonged wet skin exposure to dry cement.
Inhalation of Airborne Dust
Remove to fresh air. Seek medical help if coughing and other symptoms do not subside.
Ingestion
Do not induce vomiting. If conscious, have the victim drink plenty of water and call a physician
immediately.
SECTION 5 - FIRE & EXPLOSION DATA
Flash point [provide method used]............................... None
Lower Explosive Limit ................................................ None
Upper Explosive Limit................................................. None
Auto ignition temperature ............................................ Not combustible
Extinguishing media .................................................... Not combustible
Special fire fighting procedures ................................... None. (Although Qwix?poses no
fire-related hazards, a self-contained breathing
apparatus is recommended to limit exposure to
combustion products when fighting any fire.)
Hazardous combustion products .................................. None
Unusual fire and explosion hazards ............................. None
SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Collect dry material using a scoop. Avoid actions that cause dust to become airborne. Avoid inhalation
of dust and contact with skin. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as described in Section 8.
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MSDS FOR QWIX
Scrape up wet material and place in an appropriate container. Allow the material to "dry" before
disposal. Do not attempt to wash cement down drains. Dispose of waste material according to local, state
and federal regulations.
SECTION 7 - HANDLING AND STORAGE
Keep cement dry until used. Normal temperatures and pressures do not affect the material.
Promptly remove dusty clothing or clothing which is wet with cement fluids and launder before reuse.
Wash thoroughly after exposure to dust or wet cement mixtures or fluids.
SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROL/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Skin protection
Prevention is essential to avoiding potential skin injury. Avoid contact with unhardened (wet) cement
products. If contact occurs, promptly wash affected area with soap and water. Where prolonged
exposure to unhardened cement products might occur, wear impervious clothing and gloves to eliminate
skin contact. Where required, wear boots that are impervious to water to eliminate foot and ankle
exposure.
Do not rely on barrier creams; barrier creams should not be used in place of gloves.
Periodically wash areas contacted by dry cement or by wet cement or concrete fluids with a pH neutral
soap. If irritation occurs, immediately wash the affected area and seek treatment, as appropriate. If
clothing becomes saturated with wet concrete, it should be removed and replaced with clean dry clothing.
Respiratory protection
Avoid actions that cause dust to become airborne. Use local or general ventilation to control exposures
below applicable exposure limits.
Use NIOSH/MSHA-approved (under 30 CFR 11) or NIOSH-approved (under 42 CFR 84) respirators in
poorly ventilated areas, if an applicable exposure limit may be exceeded, or when dust causes discomfort
or irritation. (Advisory: Respirators and filters purchased after July 10, 1998, must be certified under 42
CFR 84.)
Ventilation
Use local exhaust or general dilution ventilation to control exposure within applicable limits.
Eye protection
When engaged in activities where cement dust or wet cement or concrete could contact the eye, wear
safety glasses with side shields or goggles. In environments with the potential for significant, and/or
unpredictable amounts of airborne Portland cement, wear unvented or indirectly vented goggles to avoid
eye irritation or injury. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with cement or fresh cement
products.
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MSDS FOR QWIX
SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance .......................................................................Gray or white powder
Odor ..................................................................................No distinct odor
Physical state.....................................................................Solid (powder)
pH (in water) (ASTM D 1293-95) ....................................12 to 13
Solubility in water.............................................................Slightly soluble (0.1 to 1.0%)
Vapor pressure ..................................................................Not applicable
Vapor density ....................................................................Not applicable
Boiling point .....................................................................Not applicable (i.e., >1000*C)
Melting point.....................................................................Not applicable
Specific gravity (H2O - 1.0) ..............................................2.75 to 3.00
Evaporation rate ................................................................Not applicable
SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability
Stable.
Conditions to avoid
Unintentional contact with water.
Incompatibility
Wet cement is alkaline. As such it is incompatible with acids, ammonium salts and aluminum metal.
Hazardous decomposition
Will not spontaneously occur. Adding water results in hydration and produces (caustic) calcium
hydroxide.
Hazardous polymerization
Will not occur.
SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
For a description of available, more detailed toxicological information, contact the supplier or
manufacturer.
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MSDS FOR QWIX
SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity
No recognized unusual toxicity to plants or animals.
Relevant physical and chemical properties
(See Sections 9 and 10.)
SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL
Dispose of waste material according to local, state and federal regulations. (Since dry cement is stable,
uncontaminated material may be saved for future use.)
SECTION 14 - TRANSPORTATION DATA
Hazardous materials description/proper shipping name
Qwix?is not hazardous under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
Hazard class
Not applicable
Identification number
Not applicable
Required label text
Not applicable
Hazardous substances/reportable quantities (RO)
Not applicable
SECTION 15 - OTHER REGULATORY INFORMATION
Status under USDOL-OSHA Hazard Communication Rule, 29 CFR 1910.1200
Cement may contain hazardous chemicals identified under this regulation, and should be incorporated as
appropriate.
Hazard Category under SARA (Title III), Sections 311 and 312
Cement qualifies as a "hazardous substance" with delayed health effects.
Status under TSCA (as of May 1997)
Cement my contain certain substances identified under the TSCA inventory list, and should be
incorporated as appropriate.
Status under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act
Cement may contain certain constituents that may be defined as a "hazardous substance" subject to
statutes promulgated under the subject act.
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MSDS FOR QWIX
Status under WHMIS
Cement is considered to be a hazardous material under the Hazardous Products Act as defined by the
Controlled Products Regulations (Class E - Corrosive Material) and is therefore subject to the labeling
and MSDS requirements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
SECTION 16 - OTHER INFORMATION
Revsion 2 date
May 29, 2007
Revision date
December 28, 2004
Date of previous MSDS
June 2002
Other important information
Qwix?should only be used by knowledgeable persons. A key to using the product safely requires the
user to recognize that cement chemically reacts with water, and that some of the intermediate products of
this reaction (that is, those present while the cement product is "setting") pose a far greater hazard than
does dry cement.
While the information provided in this material safety data sheet is believed to provide a useful summary
of the hazards of Qwix?as it is commonly used, the sheet cannot anticipate and provide the all of the
information that might be needed in every situation. Inexperienced product users should obtain proper
training before using this product.
In particular, the data furnished in this sheet do not address hazards that may be posed by other materials
mixed with Qwix? Users should review other relevant material safety data sheets before working with
this cement or working on Qwix?products, for example, Qwix?concrete.
SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE PRODUCT OR
THE MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS THEREOF FOR ANY PURPOSE OR CONCERNING THE
ACCURACY OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY [HEARTLAND CEMENT SALES
COMPANY], except that the product shall conform to contracted specifications The information
provided herein was believed by [Heartland Cement Sales Company] to be accurate at the time of
preparation or prepared from sources believed to be reliable, but it is the responsibility of the user to
investigate and understand other pertinent sources of information to comply with all laws and procedures
applicable to the safe handling and use of product and to determine the suitability of the product for its
intended use. Buyer's exclusive remedy shall be for damages and no claim of any kind, whether as to
product delivered or for non-delivery of product, and whether based on contract, breach of warranty,
negligence, or otherwise shall be greater in amount than the purchase price of the quantity of product in
respect of which damages are claimed. In no event shall Seller be liable for incidental or consequential
damages, whether Buyer's claim is based on contract, breach of warranty, negligence or otherwise.
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