Zinc

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Use special powder, dry sand. NO water. NO foam, carbon dioxide. NO other agents. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. NO direct contact of the substance with water.

Fresh air, rest. Seek medical attention if you feel unwell.

First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

0.1 [mg/m3] (respirable fraction), 2 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) for Zn inorg. cmpnds[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

Fireproof. Separated from acids, bases oxidants. Dry. /Zinc powder/

Finely divided ... zinc compounds, can be fire and explosion hazard if stored in damp places, sources of spontaneous combustion. /Zinc cmpd/

Store the metal dry, and keep residues thoroughly wet until disposal. Hydrogen is evolved, especially under acid and alkaline conditions.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Chemical Treatability of Zinc; Concentration Process: Activated carbon; Chemical Classification: Metals; Scale of Study: Full scale continuous flow; Type of Wastewater Used: (not stated); Results of Study: 81% reduction; 124 ppb effluent concentration; Carbon used as advanced treatment of biologically and chemically treated wastewater. Plant capacity 0.66 cu m/sec. Data presented for two time periods.

Chemical Treatability of Zinc; Concentration Process: Miscellaneous sorbents; Chemical Classification: Metals; Scale of Study: Literature review; Type of Wastewater Used: Unknown; Results of Study: Final concentration reduced to 0.1 ppb; SiO2 + CaO slags used.

The proprietary sulfex process (Permutit Co) has been applied to zinc wastes. The process involves addition of ferrous sulfide, which gradually releases sulfide to precipitate the zinc ... .

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Gastrointestinal (Digestive), Hematological (Blood Forming), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Hematologic

Chronic exposure to zinc causes anemia, atazia, lethargy, and decreases the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the body. It is also believed to cause pancreatic and reproductive damages. Unbalanced levels of copper and zinc binding to Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (L49)

In case series and small trials of zinc therapy in patients with Wilson disease, adverse events have included gastrointestinal upset, but serum enzyme elevations and clinically apparent liver injury were not reported. Patients with Wilson disease frequently have liver injury and, in most case series, zinc therapy has been associated with slow improvement in the hepatic manifestations. Occasional patients with Wilson disease who are switched from penicillamine to zinc therapy develop mild elevations in serum aminotransferase levels, but these are more likely due to worsening control of copper balance and the underlying Wilson disease rather than direct hepatotoxicity of zinc.

Occupational hepatotoxin - Secondary hepatotoxins: the potential for toxic effect in the occupational setting is based on cases of poisoning by human ingestion or animal experimentation.

Zinc taken in large amounts may cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting within 3 to 10 hours of swallowing the supplement. The symptoms usually alleviate within a short period. An excess intake of zinc can result in copper or anemia, iron deficiency, or copper deficiency. Nasal sprays and gels containing zinc may have side effects such as loss of sense of smell.

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

Oral (L49) ; inhalation (L49) ; dermal (113)

Although zinc is considered relatively nontoxic, an extremely high intake of zinc can manifest with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, lethargy, and fatigue.

Excessive zinc intake alters copper and iron absorption, most likely through competitive binding in intestinal mucosal cells. Stomach acid dissolves metallic zinc, producing zinc chloride, which is a corrosive product damaging the stomach lining. Metal fume fever is thought to be an immune response to inhaled zinc. (L48, L49, A49)

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ /Researchers/ dosed mallard ducks (A. platyrhynchos) orally with eight No. 6 zinc shot and observed them for 30 days: three of the 15 birds died within the observation period. The average weight loss among surviving birds was 22%, significantly more than in control birds. Only three of the mallards dosed retained the zinc shot until the end of the study. Signs of intoxication in order of increasing severity were stumbling, an inability to run, complete loss of muscular control of the legs, loss of swimming ability and spasmodic wing movements.

/ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS/ /Researchers/ reported that 20 of 25 ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) being used in an experiment died of renal failure after eating raw meat that was accidentally contaminated with zinc from the wire cages. Zinc poisoning was diagnosed after autopsy and laboratory investigation.

/ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS/ Poisoning ... /has been observed/ in ferrets and mink from chewing corroded cages ... It is evident that young animals are much more susceptible to poisoning by zinc than mature animals.

/ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS/ ... Horses, sheep, and cattle have been intoxicated by grazing on forage in the vicinity of zinc smelters. Horses are the most zinc-sensitive farm animals and react with lameness, osteochondrosis (possibly caused by an abnormal collagen metabolism due to an inhibition of lysyl oxidase followed by a zinc provoked copper deficiency), and lymphoid hyperplasia of the spleen and lymph nodes.

Metallic taste. Sore throat. Cough. Weakness. Fever. See Effects of short-term exposure.

No acute symptoms expected.

Redness.

Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting.

Ingestion of large doses of zinc causes stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Acute inhalation of large amounts of zinc causes metal fume fever, which is characterized by chills, fever, headache, weakness, dryness of the nose and throat, chest pain, and coughing. Dermal contact with zinc results in skin irritation. (L49)

Zinc and Compounds

Hematologic

3 x 10 ^-1 mg/kg-day

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Zinc, elemental is found on List D. Case No: 4099; Pesticide type: fungicide, herbicide, antimicrobial; Case Status: RED Approved 09/92; OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Zinc; Data Call-in (DCI) Date(s): 04/01/93; AI Status: OPP has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document for the case/AI.

... Substances for which a Federal Register notice has been published that included consideration of the serious health effects, including cancer, from ambient air exposure to the substance. Zinc (52 FR 32597, August 1987) is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 1,000 lb or 454 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). No reporting of release of this hazardous substance is required if the diameter of the pieces of the solid metal released is larger than 100 micrometers (0.004 inches).

Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is subject to effluent limitations. /Zinc and compounds/

The secondary maximum contaminant level for public water systems: zinc 5 mg/L.

(AZ) ARIZONA 5000 ug/l

(MN) MINNESOTA 2000 ug/l

EPA 5000 ug/l /Secondary MCL/

EPA 2000 ug/l /Lifetime health advisory/

Used in galvanizing and alloying; Also used in dry cell batteries and in organic chemistry, bronze deoxidizing, gold extracting, fat purifying, and bone bleaching; An essential dietary mineral; [Merck Index] Zinc dust is used as a pigment in rust-resistant coatings. Also used as a reducing agent, an additive to plastics and lubricants, a purification agent in electrolytic zinc plants, and a component of primary batteries and abrasives; it is used in spray metallizing and mechanical plating. [CHEMINFO] Spalerite is the most important Zn ore; Workers are exposed to zinc in mining, smelting, and welding; [Nordberg, p. 1370, 1374]

Metal Preparation and Pouring [Category: Foundry]

For zinc, elemental (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 129015) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

Galvanizing sheet iron; as ingredient of alloys such as bronze, brass, Babbitt metal, German silver, and special alloys for die-casting.

Protective coating for metals to prevent corrosion; for electrical apparatus, especially dry cell batteries, household utensils, casting, printing plates, building materials, railroad car lining, automotive equipment; reducing agent in organic chemistry; deoxidizing bronze; extracting gold by cyanide process, purifying fats for soaps; bleaching bone glue; manufacture sodium hydrosulfite; insulin zinc salts; reagent in analytical chemistry

As negative electrode in alkaline cell electrode

The effect of small amt of common impurities is to incr corrosion resistance to solutions, but not in the atmosphere ... Brittleness /of ordinary zinc/ is thought to be assoc with impurities such as tin.

Lead contaminates special high grade zinc at 0.003%; high grade zinc at 0.07%; intermediate grade at 0.2%; brass special at 0.6%; prime western at 1.6%

Iron contaminates special high grade zinc at 0.003%; high grade at 0.02%; intermediate at 0.03%; brass special at 0.03%; prime western at 0.08%

Cadmium contaminates special high grade zinc at 0.003%; high grade at 0.03%; intermediate grade at 0.4%; brass special at 0.5%

For more Impurities (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

(1972) 3.93x10+9 g (slab zinc)

(1975) 6.26x10+9 g (slab zinc)

(Data expressed as metric tons) ... Slab zinc, 1991, 1,250; 1992, 565; 1993, 1,410; 1994, 6,310; 1995, 3,080. Rolled zinc, 1991, 10,400; 1992, 5,430; 1993, 6,600; 1994, 6,680; 1995, 5,180.

(2002) An estimated 822,000 metric tons of ores and concentrates, 1,160 metric tons of slab zinc, and 7,200 metric tons of rolled zinc were exported from the United States.

For more U.S. Exports (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

(1972) 4.75x10+11 g (slab zinc)

(1975) 3.45x10+11 g (slab zinc)

Slab zinc = 827,000; zinc dust = 2,000 tons (1996)

(Data expressed as metric tons) ... Slab zinc, 1991, 549,000; 1992, 644,000; 1993, 724,000; 1994, 793,000; 1995, 856,000. Rolled zinc, 1991, 537; 1992, 171; 1993, 135; 1994, 475; 1995, 332.

For more U.S. Imports (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2023: 1,000,000,000 - <2,500,000,000 lb

(1972) 6.4x10+11 g (slab, not secondary zinc)

(1975) 4.5x10+11 g (slab, not secondary zinc)

(1986) >1 million-10 million pounds

(1990) >10 thousand-500 thousand pounds

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (23 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Zinc-base alloy, 38%; galvanizing, 38%; brass products, 15%; rolled zinc, 3%; zinc oxide, 3%; other, 3%

Refined zinc (expressed in metric tons): 1991, 790,000; 1992, 814,000; 1993, 828,000; 1994, 843,000; 1995, 838,000.

Slab zinc = 1,205,000 tons (1996)

... In 2002, the reported consumption of zinc by industry was 265,000 metric tons (53.4% of total consumption) for galvanizing; 103,000 metric tons (20.8% of total consumption) for zinc-based alloys; and 86,800 metric tons (17.5% of total consumption) for brass and bronze.

For more Consumption Patterns (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (14 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Zinc ore is mined using both underground mining and open pit mining. The mined zinc ores are too low in zinc content for direct reduction to refined metal; thus, they are first concentrated. Production of concentrates requires crushing and grinding followed by gravity or magnetic methods of separation or flotation. These processes may be combined, depending on the complexity of the ore. A caustic-leach process is used to decrease the extent of metal loss during the concentration process. In this process, the metal is leached by caustic soda, the resulting electrolyte is purified with zinc dust and lime, and the zinc is electrodeposited. The crude zinc may be dissolved in sulfuric acid and purified by electrodeposition.

Concentration of zinc ore, roasting the concentrate, followed by thermal smelting (reduction with carbon), or followed by leaching of the roasted concentrate to extract soluble zinc, purification, and electrolytic refining.

The hydrometallurgical or electrolytical process where the zinc oxide is leached from the roasted or calcined material with sulfuric acid to form zinc sulfate solution which is electrolyzed in cells to deposit zinc on cathodes.

Two processes are used to produce metallic zinc from the ore concentrates that are not subjected to caustic soda leaching. In one process, the ore concentrate containing zinc sulfide is roasted in the presence of air to produce zinc oxide, which is combined with coke or coal and retorted to approximately 1,100 °C to produce metallic zinc. In the other process, the roasted zinc oxide is leached with sulfuric acid, and the solution is electrolyzed to produce zinc of >99.9% purity.

Zinc is available in many commercial forms, including ingots, lumps, sheets, wire, shot, strips, sticks, granules, granulated zinc (obtained when molten metal is poured into cold water), and powder.

Forms available: Slab, rolled (strip, sheet, rod, tubing), wire, mossy zinc, zinc dust powder (99% pure); single crystals; zinc anodes

Commercial forms: ingots, lumps, sheets, wire, shot, strips, sticks, granules, mossy, powder (dust).

GRADES: Special high-grade (99.990%); high-grade (99.95%); intermediate (99.5%); brass special (99%); prime western (98%)

For more Formulations/Preparations (Complete) data for ZINC, ELEMENTAL (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Cosmetics product ingredient: Zinc

Information on 33 consumer products that contain Zinc dust in the following categories is provided:

Chemical Classes -> Inorganic substances

Food Contaminant -> METALS -> JECFA Functional Classes