MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (U.S.)
CaesarStone?and Concetto
Product Name:
MSDS Date: December 7, 2006
1. Product and Company Description
U.S. Quartz Products
CaesarStone USA
11830 Sheldon St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Tel: 818.394.6000 or 877.978.2789
Fax: 818.394.6006
info@caesarstoneus.com
For Product Information/Emergency Contact: U.S. Quartz Products: 818.394.6000 or 877.978.2789
Product Use: CaesarStone Quartz Surfacing and Concetto Natural Stone Surfacing
2. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview:
Appearance/Odor: Multi-colored engineered stone with no odor.
Potential Health Effects:
Acute Eye: Product in finished form does not present a health hazard via this route of entry. Dusts and
flying particles generated during cutting, grinding and forming may cause irritation and injury.
Acute Skin: Dusts generated from this product may cause skin irritation.
Acute Inhalation: Dusts from product may cause irritation to respiratory tract, nose, throat and lungs.
Acute ingestion: Not considered a potential health hazard via this route of entry. This product may
cause gastrointestinal irritation if dusts are swallowed.
Chronic Exposure: The adverse health effects from crystalline silica exposure - silicosis, cancer,
scleroderma, tuberculosis, and nephrotoxicity - are chronic effects.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Not Determined.
3. Hazardous Chemical Composition
Component CAS# % Composition
Crystalline silica (quartz) and other natural stone 14808-60-7 >90
Resins and trace minerals including Al2O3, Fe203,
N/A Balance
TiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2), PtO5
4. First Aid Measures
Eye Exposure: Immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Seek immediate medical attention if adverse effect occurs.
Skin Exposure: Wash skin with soap and water. Remove exposed or contaminated clothing, taking care
not to contaminate eyes. Seek medical attention if adverse effect occurs.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air. If necessary, use artificial respiration.
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Ingestion: If the material is swallowed, seek medical attention or advice.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Autoignition: At temperatures >490癈, this product will auto ignite.
Flash Point: 490癈
Flammability Limits (vol/vol%): Lower: ND Upper: ND
Extinguishing Media: Use appropriate extinguishing media for surrounding fire.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Firefighters should wear full fire-fighting turn-out gear including
NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand
or other positive pressure mode.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: When heated to decomposition, may release various
hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water. Fumes of metal oxides and mica particles
could also be released.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Cleanup and Disposal of Spill: Solid slabs can simply be gathered as necessary. If large amounts of
dust or wastes are created by cutting process, vacuum or sweep up material avoiding dust generation or
dampen spilled material with water to avoid airborne dust. Wear sufficient respiratory protection and
protective clothing where necessary. If large quantities of this material enter the waterways contact the
Environmental Protection Authority, or local Waste Management Authority. Dispose of waste in
accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
7. Handling and Storage
Handling/Storage: Avoid breathing dust. Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or using toilet
facilities. Wash thoroughly after work using soap and water. Good industrial hygiene practices should be
followed when handling this material. Product is heavy and breakable; handle with care to avoid injury
and prevent damage.
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Exposure Guidelines:
NIOSH
Component ACGIH OSHA-PELs
((250)/(%SiO2 + 5) mppcf TWA
0.025 mg/m3 TWA 0.05 mg/m3 TWA (respirable)); ((10)/(%SiO2 + 2) mg/m3
Crystalline silica
(respirable fraction) (respirable dust) TWA (respirable)); ((30)/(%SiO2 + 2)
mg/m3 TWA (total dust))
Engineering Controls: Ventilation must be adequate to maintain the ambient workplace atmosphere
below the exposure limit(s) outlined in the MSDS.
Respiratory Protection: If respiratory protection is needed, use only protection authorized in the U.S.
Federal OSHA Standard (29 CFR 1910.134), applicable U.S. State regulations, or the Canadian CSA
Standard Z94.4-93 and applicable standards of Canadian Provinces.
Eye / Face Protection: During cutting, grinding or sanding operations safety glasses with side shields or
goggles should be worn.
Skin Protection: During cutting, grinding or sanding operations use body protection appropriate for task
including work gloves if handling sharp or rough edges and steel-toed shoes if lifting product.
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9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Appearance: Multi-colored engineered stone
Odor: None
pH: NA
Specific Gravity/Density: 2.4
Water Solubility: Insoluble
Melting Point: NA
Freezing Point NA
Boiling Point: NA
Vapor Pressure: NA
Percent Volatiles by Volume: NA
Evaporation Rate: NA
Viscosity: ND
Flash Point: 490癈.
Explosion Limits: Lower: ND Upper: ND
Autoignition Temp: At temperatures >490癈, this product will auto ignite.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable
Conditions to Avoid: None
Materials / Chemicals to Be Avoided: This product is incompatible with hydrofluoric acid. Silica will
dissolve in hydrofluoric acid and produce the corrosive gas silicon tetrafluoride.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Upon decomposition, various hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide fumes, and water may be released.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
11. Toxicological Information
Acute Effects
For Crystalline Silica: Inhalation (human) LCLo: 0.3mg/m3/10Y
Inhalation (human) TCLo: 16mppcf/ 8H/17.9Y
Intermittent; focal fibrosis, (pneumoconiosis), cough, dyspnoea.
Inhalation (rat) TCLo: 50mg/m3/6H/71W
Intermittent; liver - tumors
Chronic Effects
Silicosis: The major concern is silicosis, caused by the inhalation and retention of respirable crystalline
silica dust. Symptoms include:
Chronic or ordinary 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
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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 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.
Carcinogenicity: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that "crystalline
silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans
(Group 1)." The National Toxicology Program (NTP), in its Ninth Annual Report on Carcinogens,
concluded that silica, crystalline (respirable) is "known to be a carcinogen, based on sufficient evidence in
experimental animals and in humans." The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
does regulate crystalline silica (quartz) as a carcinogen.
The American Thoracic Society position on the issue of silica carcinogenicity was published in Adverse
Effects of Crystalline Silica Exposure, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol.
155, pp. 761-765 (1997). The official statement concluded that "The available data support the conclusion
that silicosis produces increased risk for bronchogenic carcinoma. The cancer risk may also be increased
by smoking and other carcinogens in the workplace."
Scleroderma: There is evidence that exposure to respirable crystalline silica or that the disease silicosis
is associated with the increased incidence of scleroderma, an immune system disorder manifested by a
fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs, skin and other internal organs.
Tuberculosis: Individuals with silicosis are at increased risk to develop tuberculosis, if exposed to
persons with tuberculosis.
Nephrotoxicty: There are several recent studies suggesting that exposure to respirable crystalline silica
or that the disease silicosis is associated with the increased incidence of kidney disorders.
Mutagenicity: No Data
Reproductive Effects: No Data
Developmental Effects: No Data
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate: Not Determined
Environmental Toxicity: Not Determined
ISO 14001 Certification: CaesarStone is ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management Systems.
13. Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal Method: Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an
appropriate and approved waste disposal facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may
change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal
disposal regulations. Dispose in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.
14. Transportation Information
Not Regulated
US Department of Proper Shipping Name
Transportation Not Regulated
Hazard Class
Not Regulated
ID Number
Not Regulated
Packing Group
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15. Regulatory Information
Federal Regulations:
SARA Title III Hazard Classes:
Fire Hazard: No
Reactive Hazard: No
Release of Pressure: No
Acute Health Hazard: No
Chronic Health Hazard: Yes
TSCA: All components of this product are on the TSCA inventory or are exempt from TSCA Inventory
requirements
U.S. State Regulations: California Prop 65 List: Crystalline silica (quartz) is classified as a
substance known to the state of California to be a carcinogen.
16. Other Information
National Fire Protection Association NFPA(R) and Hazardous Materials Identification System
(HMIS) Hazard Ratings:
Health Hazard: 1
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
IDLH ?Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Key Legend Information:
Health
N/A ?Not Applicable
PEL ?Permissible Exposure Limit
ND ?Not Determined
TWA ?Time Weighted Average
ACGIH ?American Conference of
STEL ?Short Term Exposure Limit
Governmental Industrial Hygienists
NTP ?National Toxicology Program
OSHA ?Occupational Safety and Health
IARC ?International Agency for Research on
Administration
Cancer
TLV ?Threshold Limit Value
The information contained herein is based on the data available to us and is believed to be
correct. However CaesarStone and U.S. Quartz Products make no warranties expressed or
implied regarding the accuracy of these data or the results to be obtained from the use thereof.
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