Document MM79BMqn8yeBYLeLaGXwnrpz

GRACE Construction Products Division To: R. J. Bettacchi From: J. W. Wolter cc: A. R. Stringer Date: September 25, 1990 Subject: Insert for the Libby Section While it is paramount to Grace that specific technological data remain proprietary, the following metallurgical information is presented: 1) Proven and probable ore reserves as of January 1, 1990 are estimated at 45 million tons. 2) Ore grade based on a cut-off of 12X has been determined at 22.9% +65 mesh vermiculite. The ore to waste ratio is 1.0 to 1.27. 3) Distribution of vermiculite in the ore is estimated to average as follows +8 mesh = 15.3% -8+20 mesh = 34.7% -20+65 mesh = 50.0% 4) Tremolite content of the ore is estimated at 5 to 7% with the concentrate from the milling circuit showing a weighted average of .27% Tremolite giving a rejection efficiency of 99.5%. Tremolite content of finished concentrate as shown in the attached MSDS and labeled Exhibit A may contain up to 1% Tremolite by weight. Respirable portion of Tremolite in concentrate is determined at 50 parts per million (PPM). Grace is familiar with the hypothesis that there are other and potentially economical minerals associated with vermiculite and large ultramafic intrusives. We, however, have not performed extensive geophysical or drilling evaluations to date to make an accurate determination of the likelihood of those occurrences. JWW/cjc Attachment 0002/16 X519T714 Z--01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 1 of 7 "SOS PREPARED BY: Er .onmental Health Dent. Construe Products Div. w.R.Grace & Co.-Conn. W. R. Grace & Co. of Canada Ltd. 52 Whittemore Ave. 294 Clements Rd. West Camoridge, MA 02140 Ajax. Ontario, LIS 3C6 Telephone Number for Information and Emergency Response In USA: (617) 876-1400 X3140 In Canada: (416) 683-8561 HSDS Number: Z-01210 000USA Cancels MSDS # Z-83340 SECTION I - PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION Date: 11/08/1988 -ade Names and Svnonvms: VERMICULITE CONCENTRATE/ALL GRADES LIBBY Chemical Names and Family: Product Use: 'rsrmula: Libby, Montana Vermlculite Concentrate; Magnesium-Aluminosilicate Mineral Various Industrial Uses (Mg.Ca.K.Fe^h (S1.A1, Fe`11)4O10 (0H)2 . 4(H20) IAS# (Chemical Abstract Service): 01318-00-9 Transportation Hazard Classification USA Department of Transportation CANADA Transportation of Dangerous Goods COT CLASS: Nonhazardous TDG CUSS: COT ID#: Not Applicable Nonhazardous COT LABEL: Not Applicable Surface Freiaht Classification: Crude Vermiculite Ore NPCA-HMIS Hazard Index: 0 Health: 1* 0 Flammability: 0 0 Reactivity: 0 0 Personal Protection: E (See Section VIII) SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS/IDENTITY INFORMATION INGREDIENT TOXICITY DATA LD5n, LC50 etc. (Chemical Name, X __ CAS#V & Common Name)By Ht.(See Section IX for Exposure Limits) Tremolite Asbestos CAS# 14567-73-8 Typically 0.3-IX No Data 1519nr& Z-01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET SECTION I'll - PHYSICAL DATA/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS Page 2 of 7 Boi1inq Point: Not Applicable Vapour Pressure (mm Hq.) Not Applicable Specific Gravity (H20 - 1) Not 1 Volatiles Applicable Not Applicable Vapour Densitv(AIR - 1) Not Aonlicable Evaporation Rate Not Applicable (Butyl Acetate - 1) Solubility in Wat?r: None Sulk Densitv (#/cu. ft): 50-65 aM 7.0 (In water) -ppearance and Odour: Dark greenish brown to golden brown in color, flake shaped. vegetable oil odour. .dour Threshold: Linknown . SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA Flash Point: None Flammable Limits: Method Used: Not Applicable LEL N.A. UL N.A. n.f.P.A. Patino: Not Applicable Extinguishing Media Not Applicable Special Fire Fighting Procedures Not Applicable Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards Vermiculite Concentrate is treated with a dust suppressant which may generate smoke during the expansion process. Vermiculite Concentrate itself is inorganic and will not burn. SECTION V - REACTIVITY DATA Stable under normal conditions (ves or no): YES Conditions or Materials to avoid (which mav react or cause instability): None Known Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: None Known Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur Conditions to Avoid: None Known 15197716 1-01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 3 of 7 SECTION VI - HEALTH HAZARD DATA & TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES (Include all known acute and chronic effects, signs, and symptoms of exposure and nedical conditions generally aggravated by exposure) Pontes of Exposure: Inhalation: Vermiculite dust released in handling, expanding, and subsequent end use may cause symptoms typical of nuisance dusts including coughing, sneezing, and minor respiratory irritation. The dust may also contain asbestiform tremolite fibers in excess of the limits specified in Section IX of this MSDS. See section below regarding carcinogenicity and long-term health effects. This material has been treated with a dust suppressant which significantly reduces potential release of airborne fiber. However, airborne fiber is released during expansion. Skin and Eve: Direct eye contact may cause minor physical or mechanical .irritation. Skin contact not expected to cause any harmful effects. Ingestion: Adverse health effects are not expected as a result of ingestion. Carcinogenicity According to NTP, IARC and OSHA: Certain operations involving the use and/or expansion of Libby Vermiculite may result in the release of tremolite fibers, a form of asbestos, in excess of the limits specified in Section II of the MSDS According to NTP, IARC and OSHA 29 CER 1910.1001 (Appendix G), asbestos fibers "can cause disabling respiratory disease and various types of disease if the fibers are inhaled." Risk of disease is significantly increased by smoking. Ingestion of fibers has also been associated with increased risk of disease. Diseases associated with asbestos fiber include: Lung Cancer, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and cancer of the stomach and colon. "Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the thin membrane lining of the chest and abdomen. Symptoms of Mesothelioma include shortness of breath and pain in the walls of the chest and/or abdomen." VII EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES________________________________ If INHALED, get fresh air. If symptoms persist, consult a physician. In case of contact flush EYES with plenty of water while lifting eyelids and rolling eyes. Do not rub eyes. If irritation, blinking or tearing persist, consult a physician. Adverse health effects are not expected if SWALLOWED. Consult a physician if symptoms develop. 1519T7V* Z-01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 4 of 7 SECTION VIII - PREVENTIVE & CONTROL MEASURES r-^rninq Statements: SANGER! ... Contains Asbestos Fibers (up to II by weight Tremolite CAS# 14567-73-8). ... Avoid creating dust. ... Cancer and lung disease hazard. ... Inhalation of Vermiculite Concentrate Dust (CAS# 1318-00-9) may cause slight physical irritation of the respiratory tract resulting in coughing or sneezing. ... Dust may cause slight physical or mechanical irritation to eyes. ... NOTE: This prod-'ct has been treated with a dust suppressant which significantly reduces potential release of airborne fibers. --ecautiona'rv Measures: ... Avoid contact with eyes. (Wear goggles if necessary.) ... Avoid inhalation of airborne dust. (See MSDS Section VIII for information regarding respirators and ventilation.) ... Equip hoppers with dust covers where applicable. Respiratory Protection: A NIOSH Type TC-21C-XXX dust respirator is recommended to control exposure to vermiculite dust within the limits prescribed in Section II of this MSDS. If handling results in exposure to tremolite fiber in excess of the Permissible Exposure Level, respiratory protection;must be provided in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1001, 3aragrapn (g) - Respiratory Protection. Venti1atlon: -oca'i Exhaust: Mechanical: Special: Ether: Recommended Recommended Refer to 29 CFR 1910.1001 (f) Methods of Compliance. Refer to 29 CFR s 1910.1001 (f) Methods of Compliance. ^otective Gloves: Not generally required. Eye Protection: Goggles recommended when dust is created. Ether Protective Clothing or Equipment: Refer to 23 CFR 1910.1001 (h) Protective Work Clothing and Equipment. 2-01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET SECTION VIII - PREVENTIVE & CONTROL MEASURES CONTINUED Work/Hyqenic Practices: Page 5 of 7 Observe precautions noted above. Vermiculite is processed from ore mined at the Libby Montana mining operation, where W. R. Grace & Co. maintains high quality standards. The natural geologic formation at Libby contains other mineral components, in addition to vermiculite. One of these is asbestiform tremolite (defined as asbestos by OSHA). Grace's mining and milling process significantly reduces the tremolite content before the vermiculite concentrate is shipped to'the expanding plants. However, it may be possible to detect tremolite in the form of respirable fiber in this product at levels of .0051 (50 parts per million) dry weight or less. On June 20, 1986, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established new, more stringent, regulations regarding occupational exposure to airborne asbestos fibers including tremolite (29 CFR 1910.1001). OSHA regulations include a permissible exposure level (PEL) of 0.2 fibers/cc (8 hr. time weighted average), a 30 minute excursion limit of 1 fiber/cc (effective Oct. 14, 1988) and an action level of 0.1 fibers/cc (8 hr. time weighted average). In accordance with paragraph (j) (4) (i) of the regulation, this product has been modified by the addition of water as a binder to assure that "during any reasonable foreseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentration of fibers ... in excess of the action level and/or excursion limit will be released." Grace has collected, and is continuing to collect, objective data in a variety of end use applications which, to date, demonstrates that the addition of water to vermiculite can control the airborne fiber concentrations below the action level and/or excursion limit. OSHA will allow employers to use such objective data as provided in paragraph (d) (2) (ill) to show that their employees will not be exposed above the action level and/or excursion limit as a result of using this product. Subsequent provisions of the regulation do not apply where it has been determined that exposures are below these levels as indicated by the objective data collected by Grace. Further information regarding this objective data is available upon request. 15197719 1-01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 6 of 7 SECTION IX - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS EXPOSURE LIMITS - U.S. Only Exposure Limits -NT;_______________________________________ . :;ha______________________acgih__________________ other -3sESTI"CRM TREMOLITE 0.2 fiber/ec 3nr.TWA 2.0 fibers/cc TWA ------ ;a3* '4567-73-8 0.1 ^iber/cc iAction Limit) ' .0 30 Min.Exc n :-:3 = :.RA8LE DUST* 3EL/TWA: 5 mg/r ------- ------- 'OTAL DUST PEL/TWA: 15 mg/m3 TLV/TWA: 10 mg/irr3 SECTION X - SPILL & DISPOSAL INFORMATION - U.S. Only Libby Vermiculite concentrate may contain up to 1.0X tremollte asbest os which is a hazardous substance according to Section 307 of the Clean Air Act. Spills of asbestos equal to or greater than 1.0 lb. are reportable. Therefore, spills of concentrate equal to or greater -ran the Reportable Quantity (R.Q. - 100 lbs.) must be reported to the National Response Center immediately at 800-424-8802. If spilled, observe the handling procedures recommended above to avoid creating dust when cleaning up material. Remove spilled material for disposal or recycling. According to US EPA (40 CFR 261.31. waste of this product is not Defined as hazardous. Dispose of a . waste in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Z--01210 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Page 7 of 7 SECTION XI - GOVERNMENT REPORTING INFORMATION - U. S. Only_____________________ SARA Title III Reporting Information Tier I & II Hazard Categories: DELAYED-CHRONIC IMMEDIATE-ACUTE Contains Extremely Hazardous-SARA III Section 302 Ingredient: Comments: NO Contains Toxic Chemical Release-SARA III Section 313 Ingredient: YES Comments: Contains up to 11 Tremolite CAS# 14567-73-8 which appears as Asbestos CAS# 1332-21-4 on the 313 List. Other Government Reporting Requirements: This product contains a substance known to the state of California to cause cancer. Asbestos is listed as both an environmental and a special hazard in Pennsylvania. Non-Hazardous Ingredient Disclosure: Vegetable oil dust suppresant "THE DATA INCLUDED HEREIN ARE PRESENTED ACCORDING TO H. R. GRACE & CO.-CONN'S PRACTICES CURRENT AT THE TIME OF PREPARATION HEREOF, ARE MADE AVAILABLE SOLELY FOR THE CONSIDERATION, INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINAL RECIPIENTS HEREOF AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY FOR WHICH GRACE ASSUMES LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A RECIPIENT OF THIS DATA TO REMAIN CURRENTLY INFORMED ON CHEMICAL HAZARD INFORMATION, TO DESIGN AND UPDATE ITS 0L`l PROGRAM AND TO COMPLY WITH ALL NATIONAL. FEDERAL. STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO SAFETY, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, RIGHT-TO-KNOW AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION." 15197721