Portland Cement

Classification

Varies by product; check the supplier safety data sheet. NIOSH lists eye, skin and nose irritation, dermatitis and respiratory effects. Wet cement is strongly alkaline and can burn skin and eyes, and trace chromium(VI) can cause skin allergy. Products containing respirable crystalline silica may also carry a cancer hazard.

Hazards to expect on the label

• Causes skin irritation; wet product can cause chemical burns.
• Causes serious eye irritation or damage.
• May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• May cause respiratory irritation.
• May cause cancer where respirable crystalline silica is present.

Key precautionary statements

• P261 Avoid breathing dust.
• P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection.
• P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
• P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
• P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

OSHA lists Portland cement in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 with a PEL of 15 mg/m³ total dust and 5 mg/m³ respirable fraction as 8-hour TWAs; Table Z-3 lists 50 mppcf for silicates with less than 1% crystalline silica. NIOSH recommends 10 mg/m³ total and 5 mg/m³ respirable. The ACGIH TLV is 1 mg/m³ for respirable particulate containing no asbestos and less than 1% crystalline silica, with an A4 carcinogen notation (not classifiable). Cal/OSHA sets 10 mg/m³ total and 5 mg/m³ respirable. When cement products contain sand or are cut or ground after curing, also assess silica exposure against the respirable crystalline silica PEL of 50 µg/m³. State OSHA plans may set different limits.

• Appearance: Gray to white, odorless fine powder; a ground mixture mainly of calcium silicates, calcium aluminates, calcium aluminoferrite and calcium sulfate
• Odor: Odorless
• Molecular weight: Not applicable (mixture)
• Boiling point: Not applicable
• Melting point: Not applicable
• Flash point: Not applicable (noncombustible solid)
• Explosive limits: Not applicable
• Vapor pressure: 0 mmHg (approx.)
• Water solubility: Insoluble; reacts with water, giving off heat and setting into a hard, strongly alkaline mass

Inhalation

Dust from mixing, pouring and cutting irritates the nose and throat and can cause cough with phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath on exertion. Repeated exposure can cause chronic bronchitis.

Skin

Wet cement is strongly alkaline. Kneeling in it or letting it soak through gloves, boots or clothing can cause a severe chemical burn that may not hurt until hours later. Trace hexavalent chromium in cement can cause allergic contact dermatitis (“cement dermatitis”).

Eyes

Dust or splashes can cause serious eye damage. Treat any eye contact as an emergency.

Ingestion

Can irritate or burn the mouth, throat and stomach. Get medical attention immediately.

Target organs

Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Long-term effects

Repeated skin contact can cause irritant or allergic dermatitis that may become long-lasting. Repeated dust exposure can cause chronic bronchitis. Cutting, grinding or drilling cured concrete releases crystalline silica, which causes silicosis and lung cancer.

Gloves

Waterproof, alkali-resistant gloves with cuffs taped or tucked so wet cement cannot get inside. Change wet or damaged gloves. See hand protection.

Eyes and face

Safety glasses with side shields for dry work; chemical goggles when mixing, pouring or where splashes are likely.

Respiratory

Use dust collection or wet methods first. NIOSH lists, by concentration: up to 50 mg/m³, a quarter-mask respirator; up to 100 mg/m³, a particulate respirator with N95, R95 or P95 filters or better (not quarter-mask); up to 250 mg/m³, a PAPR with HEPA filter or continuous-flow supplied air; and higher protection above that. Where silica is present, choose respirators for silica.

Clothing

Long sleeves and long pants, waterproof boots tall enough that cement cannot get in, and waterproof knee pads for kneeling work. Change out of clothing soaked with wet cement right away.

Keep bags dry and closed; cement reacts with moisture and hardens. Lift bags with safe manual handling methods.

Limit dust when opening bags and mixing, using local exhaust or dust collection and wet methods. Wash skin that touches wet cement promptly with clean water, and provide clean water for washing on site.

Keep away from

• Acids (react with the alkaline material)
• Ammonium salts and aluminum metal when wet
• Water, until ready to use

• Avoid raising dust.
• Wear gloves, eye protection and, where dust is airborne, a respirator.
• Scoop or vacuum up dry material, or lightly mist to control dust. Do not use compressed air.
• Keep out of drains and waterways; it can set and block pipes.
• Place in closed containers for reuse or disposal. Allowing small amounts to harden first can make disposal easier.
• Portland cement is not regulated as a hazardous material for transport, so no ERG guide applies.

Suitable extinguishing media

• Use the agent best suited to the surrounding fire (Portland cement does not burn)

Special hazards

Not flammable or explosive. Dust from damaged bags is still an eye, skin and breathing hazard during and after a fire.

• OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Hazardous chemical; labels, safety data sheets and worker training required.
• OSHA Air Contaminants (29 CFR 1910.1000 Tables Z-1 and Z-3): 15 mg/m³ total and 5 mg/m³ respirable dust; 50 mppcf under the mineral dust table.
• OSHA Chromium (VI) (29 CFR 1910.1026, 1926.1126): Exposures to Portland cement are excluded from the Cr(VI) standards, but skin hazards from cement still have to be controlled through PPE, hygiene and hazard communication.
• OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica (29 CFR 1926.1153 and 1910.1053): Apply when cutting, grinding, drilling or otherwise disturbing concrete and other cement products that contain silica.
• CERCLA and EPCRA: Not listed on EPA's Consolidated List of Lists.
• DOT Hazardous Materials (49 CFR 172.101): Not regulated for transport.

• NIOSH Pocket Guide: Portland cement
• OSHA Occupational Chemical Database: Portland cement
• CAMEO Chemicals: Portland cement
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1026 Chromium (VI) (Portland cement exclusion)
• OSHA Fact Sheet: Hexavalent Chromium (OSHA 3373)