Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
PRODUCT NAME
ARDEX ABAFLEX
SYNONYMS
"cement based adhesive"
PRODUCT USE
Flexible fast setting ceramic tile adhesive used to fix tiles and natural stones over
internal and external walls and floor surfaces.
SUPPLIER
Company: Ardex Australia Pty Ltd
Address:
20 Powers Road
Seven Hills
NSW, 2147
AUS
Telephone: 1800 224 070
Fax: +61 2 9838 7817
CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS
Flammability
Toxicity
Body Contact
Reactivity
Chronic
SCALE: Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Moderate=2 High=3 Extreme=4
Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE. NON-DANGEROUS GOODS. According to the Criteria of
NOHSC, and the ADG Code.
POISONS SCHEDULE
None
RISK SAFETY
Causes burns. Keep locked up.
Risk of serious damage to Do not breathe dust.
eyes.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Wear suitable protective clothing.
Use only in well ventilated areas.
Keep container in a well ventilated place.
To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this
material use water and detergent.
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
In case of accident or if you feel unwell IMMEDIATELY
Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
contact Doctor or Poisons Information Centre (show label if
possible).
Section 3 - COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
NAME CAS RN %
portland cement 65997-15-1 10-60
graded sand 14808-60-7. 10-60
super additives 1-10
Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
SWALLOWED
• For advice, contact a Poisons Information Centre or a doctor at once.
• Urgent hospital treatment is likely to be needed.
• If swallowed do NOT induce vomiting.
• If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if
possible) to maintain open airway and prevent aspiration.
• Observe the patient carefully.
• Never give liquid to a person showing signs of being sleepy or with reduced awareness;
i.e. becoming unconscious.
• Give water to rinse out mouth, then provide liquid slowly and as much as casualty can
comfortably drink.
• Transport to hospital or doctor without delay.
EYE
If this product comes in contact with the eyes:
• Immediately hold eyelids apart and flush the eye continuously with running water.
• Ensure complete irrigation of the eye by keeping eyelids apart and away from eye and
moving the eyelids by occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids.
• Continue flushing until advised to stop by the Poisons Information Centre or a doctor,
or for at least 15 minutes.
• Transport to hospital or doctor without delay.
• Removal of contact lenses after an eye injury should only be undertaken by skilled
personnel.
SKIN
If skin or hair contact occurs:
• Immediately flush body and clothes with large amounts of water, using safety shower if
available.
• Quickly remove all contaminated clothing, including footwear.
• Wash skin and hair with running water. Continue flushing with water until advised to
stop by the Poisons Information Centre.
• Transport to hospital, or doctor.
INHALED
• If fumes or combustion products are inhaled remove from contaminated area.
• Lay patient down. Keep warm and rested.
• Prostheses such as false teeth, which may block airway, should be removed, where
possible, prior to initiating first aid procedures.
• Apply artificial respiration if not breathing, preferably with a demand valve
resuscitator, bag-valve mask device, or pocket mask as trained. Perform CPR if necessary.
• Transport to hospital, or doctor.
Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
NOTES TO PHYSICIAN
Treat symptomatically.
Section 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
• There is no restriction on the type of extinguisher which may be used.
• Use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding area.
FIRE FIGHTING
• Alert Fire Brigade and tell them location and nature of hazard.
• Wear breathing apparatus plus protective gloves for fire only.
• Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water courses.
• Use fire fighting procedures suitable for surrounding area.
• DO NOT approach containers suspected to be hot.
• Cool fire exposed containers with water spray from a protected location.
• If safe to do so, remove containers from path of fire.
• Equipment should be thoroughly decontaminated after use.
FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD
• Non combustible.
• Not considered a significant fire risk, however containers may burn.
May emit corrosive fumes.
FIRE INCOMPATIBILITY
None known.
HAZCHEM: None
Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
MINOR SPILLS
• Clean up all spills immediately.
• Avoid breathing dust and contact with skin and eyes.
• Wear protective clothing, gloves, safety glasses and dust respirator.
• Use dry clean up procedures and avoid generating dust.
• Sweep up, shovel up or
• Vacuum up (consider explosion-proof machines designed to be grounded during storage and
use).
• Place spilled material in clean, dry, sealable, labelled container.
MAJOR SPILLS
Moderate hazard.
• CAUTION: Advise personnel in area.
• Alert Emergency Services and tell them location and nature of hazard.
• Control personal contact by wearing protective clothing.
• Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water courses.
• Recover product wherever possible.
• IF DRY: Use dry clean up procedures and avoid generating dust. Collect residues and
place in sealed plastic bags or other containers for disposal. IF WET: Vacuum/shovel up
and place in labelled containers for disposal.
• ALWAYS: Wash area down with large amounts of water and prevent runoff into drains.
• If contamination of drains or waterways occurs, advise Emergency Services.
Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Personal Protective Equipment advice is contained in Section 8 of the MSDS.
Section 7 - HANDLING AND STORAGE
PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING
• Avoid all personal contact, including inhalation.
• Wear protective clothing when risk of exposure occurs.
• Use in a well-ventilated area.
• Prevent concentration in hollows and sumps.
• DO NOT enter confined spaces until atmosphere has been checked.
• DO NOT allow material to contact humans, exposed food or food utensils.
• Avoid contact with incompatible materials.
• When handling, DO NOT eat, drink or smoke.
• Keep containers securely sealed when not in use.
• Avoid physical damage to containers.
• Always wash hands with soap and water after handling.
• Work clothes should be laundered separately. Launder contaminated clothing before reuse.
• Use good occupational work practice.
• Observe manufacturer's storing and handling recommendations.
• Atmosphere should be regularly checked against established exposure standards to ensure
safe working conditions are maintained.
SUITABLE CONTAINER
Multi-ply paper bag with sealed plastic liner or heavy gauge plastic bag.
NOTE: Bags should be stacked, blocked, interlocked, and limited in height so that they
are stable and secure against sliding or collapse. Check that all containers are clearly
labelled and free from leaks. Packing as recommended by manufacturer.
• Lined metal can, lined metal pail/ can.
• Plastic pail.
• Polyliner drum.
• Packing as recommended by manufacturer.
• Check all containers are clearly labelled and free from leaks.
STORAGE INCOMPATIBILITY
• Avoid strong acids.
• Avoid contact with copper, aluminium and their alloys.
STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
• Store in original containers.
• Keep containers securely sealed.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
• Store away from incompatible materials and foodstuff containers.
• Protect containers against physical damage and check regularly for leaks.
• Observe manufacturer's storing and handling recommendations.
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
EXPOSURE CONTROLS
Source Material TWA mg/m³
Australia Exposure Standards portland cement (Portland cement (a)) 10
The following materials had no OELs on our records
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
• graded sand: CAS:14808- 60- 7
EMERGENCY EXPOSURE LIMITS
Material Revised IDLH Value (mg/m3) Revised IDLH Value (ppm)
portland cement 5, 000
graded sand 50
MATERIAL DATA
Sensory irritants are chemicals that produce temporary and undesirable side-effects on
the eyes, nose or throat. Historically occupational exposure standards for these
irritants have been based on observation of workers' responses to various airborne
concentrations. Present day expectations require that nearly every individual should be
protected against even minor sensory irritation and exposure standards are established
using uncertainty factors or safety factors of 5 to 10 or more. On occasion animal noobservable-
effect-levels (NOEL) are used to determine these limits where human results
are unavailable. An additional approach, typically used by the TLV committee (USA) in
determining respiratory standards for this group of chemicals, has been to assign ceiling
values (TLV C) to rapidly acting irritants and to assign short-term exposure limits (TLV
STELs) when the weight of evidence from irritation, bioaccumulation and other endpoints
combine to warrant such a limit. In contrast the MAK Commission (Germany) uses a fivecategory
system based on intensive odour, local irritation, and elimination half-life.
However this system is being replaced to be consistent with the European Union (EU)
Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL); this is more closely
allied to that of the USA.
OSHA (USA) concluded that exposure to sensory irritants can:
• cause inflammation
• cause increased susceptibility to other irritants and infectious agents
• lead to permanent injury or dysfunction
• permit greater absorption of hazardous substances and
• acclimate the worker to the irritant warning properties of these substances thus
increasing the risk of overexposure.
INGREDIENT DATA
PORTLAND CEMENT:
Sensory irritants are chemicals that produce temporary and undesirable side-effects on
the eyes, nose or throat. Historically occupational exposure standards for these
irritants have been based on observation of workers' responses to various airborne
concentrations. Present day expectations require that nearly every individual should be
protected against even minor sensory irritation and exposure standards are established
using uncertainty factors or safety factors of 5 to 10 or more. On occasion animal noobservable-
effect-levels (NOEL) are used to determine these limits where human results
are unavailable. An additional approach, typically used by the TLV committee (USA) in
determining respiratory standards for this group of chemicals, has been to assign ceiling
values (TLV C) to rapidly acting irritants and to assign short-term exposure limits (TLV
STELs) when the weight of evidence from irritation, bioaccumulation and other endpoints
combine to warrant such a limit. In contrast the MAK Commission (Germany) uses a fivecategory
system based on intensive odour, local irritation, and elimination half-life.
However this system is being replaced to be consistent with the European Union (EU)
Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL); this is more closely
allied to that of the USA.
OSHA (USA) concluded that exposure to sensory irritants can:
• cause inflammation
• cause increased susceptibility to other irritants and infectious agents
• lead to permanent injury or dysfunction
• permit greater absorption of hazardous substances and
• acclimate the worker to the irritant warning properties of these substances thus
increasing the risk of overexposure.
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Portland cement is considered to be a nuisance dust that does not cause
fibrosis and has little potential to induce adverse effects on the lung.
GRADED SAND:
NOTE: This product contains negligible amount of respirable dust.
PERSONAL PROTECTION
EYE
• Chemical goggles.
• Full face shield may be required for supplementary but never for primary protection of
eyes
• Contact lenses may pose a special hazard; soft contact lenses may absorb and
concentrate irritants. A written policy document, describing the wearing of lens or
restrictions on use, should be created for each workplace or task. This should include a
review of lens absorption and adsorption for the class of chemicals in use and an account
of injury experience. Medical and first-aid personnel should be trained in their removal
and suitable equipment should be readily available. In the event of chemical exposure,
begin eye irrigation immediately and remove contact lens as soon as practicable. Lens
should be removed at the first signs of eye redness or irritation - lens should be
removed in a clean environment only after workers have washed hands thoroughly. [CDC
NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 59].
HANDS/FEET
Experience indicates that the following polymers are suitable as glove materials for
protection against undissolved, dry solids, where abrasive particles are not present.
• polychloroprene
• nitrile rubber
• butyl rubber
• fluorocaoutchouc
• polyvinyl chloride
Gloves should be examined for wear and/ or degradation constantly.
Suitability and durability of glove type is dependent on usage. Factors such as:
• frequency and duration of contact,
• chemical resistance of glove material,
• glove thickness and
• dexterity,
are important in the selection of gloves.
OTHER
• Overalls.
• P.V.C. apron.
• Barrier cream.
• Skin cleansing cream.
• Eye wash unit.
RESPIRATOR
Protection Factor Half- Face Respirator Full- Face Respirator Powered Air Respirator
10 x ES P1 Air- line* - - PAPR- P1 -
50 x ES Air- line** P2 PAPR- P2
100 x ES - P3 -
Air- line* -
100+ x ES - Air- line** PAPR- P3
* - Negative pressure demand ** - Continuous flow.
The local concentration of material, quantity and conditions of use determine the type of
personal protective equipment required.
For further information consult site specific
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
CHEMWATCH data (if available), or your
Occupational Health and Safety Advisor.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
• Local exhaust ventilation is required where solids are handled as powders or crystals;
even when particulates are relatively large, a certain proportion will be powdered by
mutual friction.
• If in spite of local exhaust an adverse concentration of the substance in air could
occur, respiratory protection should be considered.
Such protection might consist of:
(a): particle dust respirators, if necessary, combined with an absorption cartridge;
(b): filter respirators with absorption cartridge or canister of the right type;
(c): fresh-air hoods or masks.
Section 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
APPEARANCE
Fine off white powder; insoluble in water.
Bulk density: 1.4 kg/dm3 (approximately).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Does not mix with water.
Molecular Weight: Not Applicable Boiling Range (°C): >200
Melting Range (°C): Not Available Specific Gravity (water= 1): Not Available
Solubility in water (g/L): Immiscible pH (as supplied): Not Applicable
pH (1% solution): 11 (paste form) Vapour Pressure (kPa): Not Applicable
Volatile Component (%vol): Not Applicable Evaporation Rate: Not Applicable
Relative Vapour Density (air=1): Not Flash Point (°C): Not A pplicable
Applicable
Lower Explosive Limit (%): Not Applicable Upper Explosive Limit (%): Not Applicable
Autoignition Temp (°C): >200 Decomposition Temp (°C): Not A vailable
State: Divided Solid Viscosity: Not Applicable
Section 10 - CHEMICAL STABILITY AND REACTIVITY INFORMATION
CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO INSTABILITY
Product is considered stable and hazardous polymerisation will not occur.
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS
SWALLOWED
Not normally a hazard due to the physical form of product. The material is a physical
irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract.
The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract
following ingestion.
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
EYE
The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapours or
mists may be extremely irritating.
If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.
SKIN
Handling wet cement can cause dermatitis. Cement when wet is quite alkaline and this
alkali action on the skin contributes strongly to cement contact dermatitis since it may
cause drying and defatting of the skin which is followed by hardening, cracking, lesions
developing, possible infections of lesions and penetration by soluble salts.
The material can produce chemical burns following direct contact
with the skin.
INHALED
The material has NOT been classified by EC Directives or other classification systems as
"harmful by inhalation" nor has it been designated as "irritating to the respiratory
system". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. In the
absence of such evidence, care should be taken nevertheless to ensure exposure is kept to
a minimum and that suitable control measures be used, in an occupational setting to
control dusts and fumes.
CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS
Repeated exposures, in an occupational setting, to high levels of fine- divided dusts may
produce a condition known as pneumoconiosis which is the lodgement of any inhaled dusts
in the lung irrespective of the effect. This is particularly true when a significant
number of particles less than 0.5 microns (1/50,000 inch), are present. Lung shadows are
seen in the X-ray. Symptoms of pneumoconiosis may include a progressive dry cough,
shortness of breath on exertion, increased chest expansion, weakness and weight loss. As
the disease progresses the cough produces a stringy mucous, vital capacity decreases
further and shortness of breath becomes more severe. Pneumoconiosis is the accumulation
of dusts in the lungs and the tissue reaction in its presence. It is further classified
as being of noncollagenous or collagenous types. Noncollagenous pneumoconiosis, the
benign form, is identified by minimal stromal reaction, consists mainly of reticulin
fibres, an intact alveolar architecture and is potentially reversible.
Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur and may cause some concern following
repeated or long-term occupational exposure.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth,
inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw.
Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue.
Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis
and/or conjunctivitis.
TOXICITY AND IRRITATION
unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances.
Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after exposure to the material
ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic condition known as reactive airways
dysfunction syndrome (RADS) which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly
irritating compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence of
preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with abrupt onset of
persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to hours of a documented exposure to the
irritant. A reversible airflow pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to
severe bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the lack of
minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have also been included in the
criteria for diagnosis of RADS. RADS (or asthma) following an irritating inhalation is an
infrequent disorder with rates related to the concentration of and duration of exposure
to the irritating substance. Industrial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a disorder that
occurs as result of exposure due to high concentrations of irritating substance (often
particulate in nature) and is completely reversible after exposure ceases. The disorder
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
is characterised by dyspnea, cough and mucus production.
PORTLAND CEMENT:
unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances.
Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after exposure to the material
ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic condition known as reactive airways
dysfunction syndrome (RADS) which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly
irritating compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence of
preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with abrupt onset of
persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to hours of a documented exposure to the
irritant. A reversible airflow pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to
severe bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the lack of
minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have also been included in the
criteria for diagnosis of RADS. RADS (or asthma) following an irritating inhalation is an
infrequent disorder with rates related to the concentration of and duration of exposure
to the irritating substance. Industrial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a disorder that
occurs as result of exposure due to high concentrations of irritating substance (often
particulate in nature) and is completely reversible after exposure ceases. The disorder
is characterised by dyspnea, cough and mucus production.
GRADED SAND:
unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances.
No data of toxicological significance identified in literature search.
MATERIAL CARCINOGEN REPROTOXIN SENSITISER SKIN
graded sand IARC:1
CARCINOGEN
IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens: graded sand
Category: WARNING: This substance has been classified by the IARC as Group 1:
CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS.
Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
No data for Ardex Abaflex.
Refer to data for ingredients, which follows:
PORTLAND CEMENT:
DO NOT discharge into sewer or waterways.
Section 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Recycle wherever possible or consult manufacturer for recycling options.
• Consult State Land Waste Management Authority for disposal.
• Bury residue in an authorised landfill.
• Recycle containers if possible, or dispose of in an authorised landfill.
Section 14 - TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
HAZCHEM: None
NOT REGULATED FOR TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS:UN, IATA,
Section 14 - TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
IMDG
Section 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION
POISONS SCHEDULE: None
REGULATIONS
Ardex Abaflex (CAS: None):
No regulations applicable
portland cement (CAS: 65997-15-1) is found on the following regulatory lists;
Australia Exposure Standards
Australia High Volume Industrial Chemical List (HVICL)
Australia Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS)
OECD Representative List of High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals
graded sand (CAS: 14808-60-7) is found on the following regulatory lists;
Australia - New South Wales Hazardous Substances Prohibited for Specific Uses
Australia - New South Wales Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia - South Australia Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia - Tasmania Hazardous Substances Prohibited for Specified Uses
Australia - Tasmania Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia - Western Australia Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia Exposure Standards
Australia Hazardous Substances
Australia Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia High Volume Industrial Chemical List (HVICL)
Australia Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS)
Australia Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) (National Standards) Regulations 1994 - Hazardous Substances Requiring Health Surveillance
Australia Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP) - Schedule 6
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Carcinogens
OECD Representative List of High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals
Section 16 - OTHER INFORMATION
Classification of the preparation and its individual components has drawn on official and
authoritative sources as well as independent review by the Chemwatch Classification
committee using available literature references.
A list of reference resources used to assist the committee may be found at:
www.chemwatch.net/references.
The (M)SDS is a Hazard Communication tool and should be used to assist in the Risk
Assessment. Many factors determine whether the reported Hazards are Risks in the
workplace or other settings. Risks may be determined by reference to Exposures Scenarios.
Scale of use, frequency of use and current or available engineering controls must be
considered.
Source: ARDEX
