BALSA WOOD
(Refer also to Auszac SDS for Wood Dust)
- IDENTIFICATION OF THE MATERIAL AND SUPPLIER
Product Name Balsa Wood (Ochroma lagopus, O. pryramidale)
Article Number None allocated
Other Names Balsa
Product Use Structural core material, model making, craft items, surfboards.
Company Name Auszac Pty Ltd
Address 11 Emanuel Court
Melrose Park
South Australia 5039
Australia
Telephone Number +61 8 8276 4122
Emergency Telephone +61 8 8276 4122
- HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Balsa is classified as NON HAZARDOUS according to the criteria of Safe Work Australia.
Balsa is classified as NOT DANGEROUS according to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
Risk Phrases:
R36 Irritating to eyes.
R38 Irritating to skin.
R43 May cause sensitisation by skin contact.
Safety Phrases:
S16 Keep away from sources of ignition.
S22 Do not breathe dust.
S25 Avoid contact with eyes
S39 Wear eye / face protection.
- COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Ingredient (common name) Balsa Wood
CAS Number None allocated
Proportion of Ingredients 100%
- FIRST AID MEASURES
Inhalation Balsa Wood in its solid state does not present an inhalation risk.
Ingestion Balsa Wood in its solid state does not present an ingestion risk.
Skin Balsa Wood can be an irritant to the skin. Wash skin with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
Eyes Rubbing the eyes after handling Balsa Wood may cause eye irritation. Irrigate eyes with water, lifting lower and upper eyelids. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
- FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Balsa Wood is a combustible, fast burning material
Suitable Extinguishing Media Smother flames with water, dry chemical, or CO2. Balsa will smoulder unless fully extinguished.
Precautions for Fire Fighters Wood dust is a strong to severe explosion hazard if a dust “cloud” contacts an ignition source. Wear protective clothing and self contained breathing apparatus.
- ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Methods for Containment and Cleanup
There are no specific containment or cleanup measures required for Balsa Wood in its solid state. Any resultant dust should be wet-swept or vacuumed. Face mask protection is recommended to avoid inhaling dust.
- HANDLING AND STORAGE
Storage Store in a dry place.
Handling Gloves are recommended when handling rough-sawn Balsa Wood; otherwise, no special handling requirements.
- EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Exposure Standard
(Safe Work Australia) ES-TWA: No known limits
ES-STEL: No known limits
Engineering Controls Ensure adequate ventilation and/or dust extraction when working with balsa wood and when dust is created.
Personal Protection
Respiratory Protection Not required when handling Balsa Wood that is not being processed. Wear a face mask when working with balsa wood and where dust is created.
Body Protection Clothing that covers all limbs is recommended to avoid possible skin irritation.
Clean skin thoroughly after work.
Eye protection Wear safety glasses when working with balsa wood.
- PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance Balsa is classified as a hardwood. It is a white to light brown coloured wood. The grain of the wood is soft to the touch.
Odour None
Vapour Pressure Not applicable
Density at 20°C 60 - 250kg/m³
Freezing / Melting point Not applicable
pH Not applicable
Solubility Insoluble
Specific Gravity 0.05 to 0.25
Flash Point No Information available
Flammable Limits No LEL / HEL limits determined
Ignition Temperature >200°C
- STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical Stability Stable
Hazardous Decomposition Products Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, organic acids, traces of hydrocarbons.
Hazardous Reactions None known
Wood dust may pose a strong to severe explosion hazard if a cloud of wood dust comes into contact with an ignition source.
Incompatible Materials Strong oxidizers may cause wood to ignite.
Conditions to Avoid Keep away from flame, heat and other sources of ignition.
- TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Toxicity Studies |
No information available; generally considered to be non-toxic |
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Routes of Exposure |
Inhalation, Ingestion, Eyes, Skin |
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Health Effects from Likely Routes of Exposure |
Inhalation: No information available. Unlikely to occur. |
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Ingestion: No information available. Unlikely to occur. |
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Eyes: Contact with eyes (usually caused by rubbing eyes with hands) may cause dryness, irritation, redness, and tearing. |
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Skin: May irritate skin. |
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Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure |
None known for Balsa Wood that is not subjected to processing. |
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Effects of Overexposure |
No information available. Unlikely to occur. |
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Carcinogenicity |
No information available. Unlikely to occur through general handling of Balsa Wood. Refer to Auszac SDS for Wood Dust for carcinogenicity information. |
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Birth Defect Information |
No information available. |
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Reproduction information |
No information available. |
- ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity Not toxic to the environment.
Persistence / Degradability Natural material, biodegradable.
Mobility No information available
- DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
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Disposal methods and Containers |
Dispose of at designated landfill or incinerate. No special containerisation required. |
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Special precautions for landfill or incineration |
Requires no special handling or precautions. |
- TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Not classified as dangerous by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. Unless required by other regulations, there are no special transport requirements.
UN Number Not allocated
Proper Shipping Name Balsa Wood
Dangerous Goods Class Not Applicable
Hazchem Code Not Applicable
Packing Group Not Applicable
Special Precautions None
- REGULATORY INFORMATION
None known. Balsa Wood is not a CITES listed wood.
- OTHER INFORMATION
This Revision of SDS: Rev 1 (21-Feb-2013)
Prepared by: Auszac Pty Ltd www.auszac.com.au
Abbreviations Used:
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SDS |
Safety Data Sheet (formerly Material Safety Data Sheet) |
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ES-STEL |
Exposure standard – short term exposure limit |
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ES-TWA |
Exposure standard – time weighted average |
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LEL |
Lower Explosive Limit |
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UEL |
Upper Explosive Limit |
- EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Auszac Pty Ltd +61 8 8276 4122
Police, Fire, Ambulance 000 (within Australia)
Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 (within Australia)
The information contained in this safety data sheet is provided in good faith and is believed to be accurate at the date of issuance. Auszac Pty Ltd makes no representation of the accuracy or comprehensiveness of the information and to the full extent allowed by law excludes all liability for any loss or damage related to the supply or use of the information in this safety data sheet. The user is cautioned to make their own determinations as to the suitability of the information provided to the particular circumstances in which the product is used. Users should read instructions / label before using product.