Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream

Acute health effects

From MSDS:
Health Hazard Data
EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE
Routes of Entry: Skin, eyes, respiratory system. 
Eye Contact: May cause severe irritation with possible corneal burns.
Skin Contact:  Causes severe burns and fluoride-like burns which may not be immediately evident. Skin contact may cause hypocalcemia by skin absorption. The fluoride components of this product can penetrate the skin and destroy the deep tissue layers, including bone tissue. This damage to the body's tissues may continue for days, as the fluoride ion reacts with the calcium in the skin and bone. Severe skin-contact exposures (especially when the skin contamination exceeds 160 Sq. Cm.) can cause hypocalcemia, a life-threatening lowering of serum calcium in the body.
Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract and lung damage if exposure is excessive. Inhalation may lead to hypercalcemia, due to absorption of the fluoride components.  There are several reports of death due to acute hypersensitivity reaction and acute inflammation of the bronchi and peripheral airways after accidental inhalation of barium sulfate.
Ingestion: Can cause very serious damage to the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and other tissues with which contact is made. Reported symptoms of ingestion of fluoride salts, such as in this product include salivation, nausea. Repeated small doses may produce no other symptoms, but polyuria and polydipsia have also been reported. Large doses lead promptly to burning or crampy abdominal pain, intense vomiting and diarrhea, often with hematemesis and melena, dehydration and thirst, muscle weakness, tremors, and rarely transient epileptiform convulsions, preceded or followed by progressive central nervous depression (lethargy, coma and respiratory arrest, even in the absence of circulatory failure), shock characterized by pallor, weak and thready pulse (sometimes irregular), shallow unlabored respiration, weak heart sounds, wet cold skin, cyanosis, anuria, dilated pupils, followed almost invariably by death in 2 to 4 hours. Even in the absence of shock, arrhythmias may occur, especially multiple episodes of ventricular fibrillation leading eventually to cardiac arrest. If the victim survives a few hours, paralysis of the muscles of deglutition, carpopedal spasm, and painful spasms of the extremities, occasionally localized or generalized urticaria. The above signs and symptoms are related to a variety of metabolic disorders that may occur in acute fluoride poisoning, including hypocalcemia, hypomagnesaemia, metabolic and/or respiratory acidosis and sometimes hyperkalemia. Ingestion may be fatal.
Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: May aggravate existing medical conditions such as allergies, dermatitis, asthma, bronchitis or any other respiratory ailment.

Chronic health effects

From MSDS:
Chronic, low-level inhalation exposure may cause bronchitis, dental erosion and perforation of the nasal septum. Chronic, low level inhalation may also cause baritosis, which is benign form of pneumoconiosis, due to the Barium Sulfate component.
Exposure to Fluorides over years may produce mottling of tooth enamel, embrittlement and decalcification of bones and increased calcification of ligaments and vertebrae resulting in spinal stiffness (fluorosis). Repeated exposure may cause dental erosion, jaw necrosis, nasal ulceration, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.

Carcinogenicity

Handling information

All employees who handle this material should be trained to handle it safely. Avoid breathing mists or sprays generated by this product. Use in a well-ventilated location. Open containers slowly on a stable surface. Containers of this product must be properly labeled. Empty containers may contain residual product; therefore, empty containers should be handled with care. Store containers in a cool, dry location, away from direct sunlight, sources of intense heat, or where freezing is possible. DO NOT STORE IN GLASS CONTAINERS. Store away from incompatible materials. Material should be stored in secondary containers or in a diked area, as appropriate. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Storage areas should be made of fire and corrosion resistant materials. If appropriate, post warning signs in storage and use areas. Inspect all incoming containers before storage to ensure containers are properly labeled and not damaged.

WORK PRACTICES AND HYGIENE PRACTICES:
Avoid all contact with this material. All employees who handle this material should be trained to handle it safely. Avoid breathing mists or sprays generated by this material. Wash thoroughly after handling this material. All personal protective equipment, tools, etc. should be neutralized thoroughly with sodium carbonate or dilute ammonia after each use. Check gloves DAILY for pinhole leaks. Discard defective gloves. Never touch outer surfaces of gloves after use. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Destroy contaminated shoes. Do not eat or drink while handling this material. All work practices should minimize the release of this material. Eyewash stations and safety showers should be in areas of use of this material. Calcium gluconate gel should be readily accessible in areas where potential exposure to this product exists.

Disposal information

First Aid