GEOSCIENCE TESTING LABORATORY

Address: Plot 531-519, Material Safety Data Sheet

Dubai Industrial City,
Issue Date: July 2019
Dubai, U.A.E. 61670
Tel.: +971-4-4314690
Fax: +971-4-4314570
2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE
INGREDIENTS
Natural Sand CAS % in this
Chemical Name Registry cement
Product description Number product
Composition varies naturally, typically contains Natural Sand* NA 100
crystalline silica. *May contain crystalline 14808-60-7 >1
silica

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION 4. FIRST AID MEASURES

There is a potential for respirable dust, including an Eyes: Immediately flush eye(s) with plenty of clean water for
element of respirable crystalline silica, to be released at least 15 minutes, while holding the eyelid(s) open. Beyond
during the handling and use of natural sand, which could flushing, do not attempt to remove material from the eye(s).
pose a health hazard. Contact a physician if irritation persists or later develops.

Short-term exposure to respirable dust produces Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Dust in throat and nasal
reversible effects such as an increase in mucus, irritation passages should clear spontaneously. Contact a physician if
of the nose and throat and constriction of the airways, irritation persists or later develops.
whereas long-term exposure can lead to irreversible
scarring and fibrosis, exacerbate conditions such as Skin: Wash with soap and water. Contact a physician if
bronchitis and asthma and lead to impaired respiratory irritation persists or later develops.
performance.
Ingestion: If person is conscious, give large quantity of
Respirable crystalline silica has been associated with the water and induce vomiting; however, never attempt to make
lung disease silicosis. It should be noted, however, that an unconscious person drink or vomit. Get immediate
there is not necessarily a direct relationship between the medical attention.
percentage of quartz within a rock type and the amount
of respirable crystalline silica.

Natural sand and dust particles can also cause abrasion

or irritation to skin and eyes and gastrointestinal irritation
if ingested. The weight of bagged product could pose a
health hazard if inappropriate manual handling
techniques are employed.

For further guidance see HSE Publications EH44 Dust:

General Principles of Protection and Getting to Grips
with Manual Handling: a Short Guide.

Natural Sand – MSDS Page 1 of 4

5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
 Flash Point N/A The personal protection and controls identified in Section VII
of the MSDS should be applied as appropriate.
 Extinguishing Media N/A
 Special Fire Fighting Procedures None Steps to Be Taken if Material Is Released or Spilled:
Spilled materials, where dust can be generated, may
 Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazards None overexpose cleanup personnel to respirable silica and dust.
 Flammable Limits N/A Wetting of spilled material and/or use of respiratory
protective equipment may be necessary. Do not dry sweep
 LEL N/A spilled material.
 UEL N/A

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Respirable silica and dust may be generated during processing, handling, and storage.

The personal protection and controls identified in Section VII of the MSDS should be applied as appropriate.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

Ventilation: Local exhaust or general ventilation adequate to maintain exposures below appropriate exposure limits.

Other: Respirable dust and silica levels should be monitored regularly. Dust and silica levels in excess of appropriate
exposure limits should be reduced by all feasible engineering controls, including (but not limited to) wet suppression,
ventilation, process enclosure, and enclosed employee work stations.

Respiratory Protection: When dust or silica levels exceed or are likely to exceed appropriate exposure limits, follow
MSHA or OSHA regulations, as appropriate, for use of NIOSH-approved respiratory protection equipment.

Skin Protection: Protective gloves should be worn to prevent mechanical injury.

Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields should be worn as minimum protection. Dust goggles should be worn
when excessive (visible) dust conditions are present or anticipated. Contact lenses should not be worn when working
with this product.

Hygiene: Ordinary personal hygiene.

9.PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Boiling Point ……………………………………..N/A
Specific Gravity (H2O = 1)……………………..2.55-2.80
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg)……………………….N/A
Melting Point …………………………………….N/A
Vapor Density(AIR-1)…………………………...N/A
Evaporation Rate………………………………..N/A
Solubility in Water……………………………….Not soluble
Appearance & Odor……………………………..Fine grains, yellow to white in color; no odor.
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability: Stable. Avoid contact with incompatible materials.
Incompatibility: Contact with powerful oxidizing agents such as fluorine, boron trifluoride, chlorine trifluoride,
manganese trifluoride, and oxygen difluoride may cause fire and/or explosions. Silica dissolves in hydrofluoric acid
producing a corrosive gas-silicon tetrafluoride.
Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Respirable dust particles may be generated when sand is moved or
ground.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur. No conditions to avoid.

Natural Sand – MSDS Page 2 of 4

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Primary Route(s) of Entry:
Inhalation: Yes
Skin: No
Ingestion: No

Acute:
Eye Contact: Minor irritation to the eyes or nose.
Inhalation: Dusts may irritate the nose, throat, and respiratory tract by mechanical abrasion. Coughing, sneezing, and
shortness of breath may occur following exposures in excess of appropriate exposure limits.
Skin Contact: Direct contact may cause irritation by mechanical abrasion.
Ingestion: Expected to be practically non-toxic. Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation and
blockage.

Chronic:
Inhalation: Chronic exposure to respirable dust in excess of appropriate exposure limits may cause lung disease.
Silicosis may result from excessive exposure to respirable silica dust for prolonged periods. Not all individuals with
silicosis will exhibit symptoms. Silicosis is progressive and symptoms can appear at any time, even after exposure has
ceased. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, coughing, or right heart enlargement and/or failure. Persons with
silicosis have an increased risk of pulmonary tuberculosis infection. Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of
developing lung disorders, including emphysema and lung cancer.
Carcinogenicity: Crystalline silica is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a
carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has characterized respirable silica as
“known to be a human carcinogen”. Prolonged and repeated breathing of silica may cause lung cancer.
Signs & Symptoms of Exposure: Dust irritation of eyes and/or respiratory system.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Inhaling respirable dust may aggravate existing respiratory
system disease(s) and/or dysfunctions such as emphysema or asthma. Exposure may aggravate existing eye
conditions.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION 13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Environmental Assessment Waste Disposal Method: Dispose of waste materials only in
Fugitive emissions of dust from the handling, use and accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and
transportation of natural sand can lead to soiling and regulations.
subsequent damage of sensitive vegetation after
prolonged exposure. Natural sand is however, classified
as inert and not considered to pose a significant
ecological hazard.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION 15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
Special carriage precautions Crystalline Silica SiO2: OSHA PELs (respirable fraction)
Not applicable, however, it is recommended that dry fine [10 mg/m3 ÷ (% SiO2+2)], (total dust) [30 mg/m3 ÷ (%
material be transported by bulk tanker or sealed bags SiO2+2)]; ACGIH TLV (respirable fraction) 0.05 mg/m3,
and that sand should be sheeted or conditioned with NIOSH REL (respirable fraction) 0.05 mg/m3.
water during transportation to minimize the generation of Other Particulates: OSHA PEL (total particulate, not
dust. otherwise regulated) 15 mg/m3, (respirable particulate, not
HS Code : 2505900 otherwise regulated) 5 mg/m3, ACGIH TLV (nuisance
UN Number : Not Allocated particulates) 10 mg/m3 (inhalable), 5 mg/m3 (respirable).
UN Proper Shipping Name : Not Allocated
Class and Subsidiary Risk : Not Allocated ABBREVIATIONS:
Packing Group : Not Allocated ACGIH TLV: Threshold limit value of the American
Hazchem Code : Not Allocated Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
DG Class : Not Allocated mg/m3: Milligrams of substance per cubic meter of air.
IATA Class :Non-Hazardous / NIOSH REL: Recommended exposure limit of the National
Non-Restricted As Per Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
IATA expressed as a TWA concentration for up to a 10-hour work-
day during a 40-hour workweek.

Natural Sand – MSDS Page 3 of 4

 OSHA PEL: Permissible exposure limit of the federal
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Training advice LEGAL NOTICE
Wear and use PPE The information contained in this Safety Data Sheet was
considered the best available at the date of issue. However,
Recommended uses no warranty is made or implied that the information is
As a construction material and a raw material for other accurate or complete. It is the user's obligation to evaluate
construction materials used in infrastructure and public and use this product safely and to comply with all applicable
and private construction projects. laws and regulations.

Further information sources

Contact Geoscience Testing Laboratory

Natural Sand – MSDS Page 4 of 4