Zest-it® is made here in the UK, it is a natural solvent made from
'pure food grade' ingredients - the zest from the peel of oranges, which
is why it smells of oranges i.e. citrus smell. It does not mix with water.
Zest-it is
not what is commonly referred to as 'citrus thinner'.
This citrus oil would, for many people, be too strong to use on it's
own. So it is diluted with a non-ozone depleting hydrocarbon type solvent,
that is non-toxic, non-flammable and with a low vapour pressure. The
'low vapour pressure' means there is very little emission of any part of
Zest-it to the atmosphere.
The product has undergone much testing, both
here in the UK and in the USA. The Environmental Health and Safety test products for
personal exposure, with regards to irritation of the skin and eyes;
ingestion and inhalation - of the original undiluted product. If you wonder
why it has a 'harmful' notice on the label,
click here
Zest-it it not classified as a Dangerous substance, therefore the supply
of MSDS is not mandatory according to Directives 91/155/CEE and 93/112/CEE.
(This is a legal document changing altering or misrepresenting the information is illegal and dangerous)
To help members of the general public who use our products, the following information for Zest-it® is taken from the MSDS.
It is explained in 'easy to understand' terms with the First Aid measures.
Skin irritation has four categories -
1 for non-irritating - must rate between 0.00 and 1.90;
2 for moderately irritating - must rate between 2.00 and 4.90;
3 for Primary skin irritant - rated 5.00 and over;
4 for corrosive.
Zest-it comes into category 1 with a score of 0.02.
If your skin already shows any form of sensitivity in the way of
dermatitis or a know skin allergy, then Nitrile gloves are recommended.
Zest-it removes oil paint from brushes, and because it removes oils, it
can also remove your skins natural oils, so prolonged contact may cause
skin dryness and cracking.
As always when you are painting, 'common sense' needs to prevail, if you
know you always have 'wet' hands from using solvents, then frequent
washing with a good quality soap, that puts the oils back into your skin,
is an excellent painting practice.
(First Aid measures - Wash with soap
and water, remove any contaminated clothing and shoes).
Eye irritation has four categories also -
1 for non-irritating - must rate between 0.00 and 15.00
2 for slightly irritating - must rate between 15.10 and 25.00 (the effects
clear within 7 days)
3 for moderately irritating - must rate between 25.10 and 50.00 (the
effects clear within 21 days)
4 for severely irritating (or corrosive) (the effects persist for 21 days
or more)
Zest-it comes into category 1 with a score of 0.00.
Again 'common sense' is needed, if you know you splash the solvent around
then wear protective goggles.
(First Aid measures - flush well with water)
Ingestion (eating or drinking) of the original undiluted product has
three categories -
3 for highly toxic - less than 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
2 for toxic - between 50 and 5000 milligrams per kg of body weight.
1 for non-toxic - more than 5000 milligrams per kg of body weight.
Zest-it comes into category 1 and has a score of 17,750 milligrams per kg of body
weight.
So if you weighed about 8 stone/51 kg you would need to ingest about 1
litre (just under 2 imperial pints) before it became lethal, but for a
child weighing only 1 stone then the quantity would be 130 ml (just over
¼ of a imperial pint), hence 'keep out of reach of
children'.
(First Aid measures - Do not induce vomiting. May be harmful if
ingested into the lungs. Seek medical advice). See note
below.
Inhalation (breathing) of the original product has three categories -
3 Highly toxic - less than 2 milligrams per litre by volume when inhaled
continuously for an hour or less.
2 Toxic - more than 2 milligrams but less than 200 milligrams per litre by
volume when inhaled continuously for an hour or less.
1 Non-Toxic - more than 200 milligrams per litre by volume when inhaled
continuously for an hour or more.
Zest-it is classed as Non-toxic being rated 800/1200 milligrams per litre by
volume, therefore adequate natural ventilation will suffice in most
instances.
(First Aid measures - Remove patient to fresh air, keep at rest and
seek medical advice).
Flammability - Don’t forget, thehigher the materials flash
point, the less
flammable it is. -
A flash point of between 30 - 40 ºC is
flammable.
Zest-it has a flash point of 67ºC and is therefore classed as Non-flammable,
but like most solvents it is best kept away from sources of ignition.
Fire fighting measures -
Water fog, CO², dry powder or foam. The use of water
streams should be avoided as this will tend to spread the fire. Burning product will liberate CO² and possibly CO.
Avoid
breathing smoke.
Accidental release measures -
Contain and absorb with dry sand or oil
absorbent, dispose of as dry oil waste. Used or contaminated product
should not be allowed to enter streams or sewers.
Handling and storage -
Do not handle or use near open flames or sources of
ignition. Store in cool well ventilated place away from sources of
ignition.
Stability and reactivity -
As with any organic material combustion will liberate
carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide. Avoid contact with strong oxidising agents.
Disposal considerations -
This product is classified as inherently Biodegradable.
In
its virgin state it may be disposed of as oil waste.
Used or contaminated waste should be disposed of in accordance with the
Contaminant.
This means if the product contains oil paint pigment/sludge it should not
be thrown down the sink, put onto dry sand or soil before disposing.
Transportation information -
This material is not regulated for transport by road, air or sea.
This means there are no restriction on transporting the product by road
sea or air.
Zest-it has a Harmful notice on the label stating 'may cause lung
damage if swallowed' this is because, if the product was swallowed and the
person vomited, and the vomit entered the lungs, it could cause
bronchopneumonia.
It also states 'may cause skin dryness and cracking'
this is because prolonged contact - keeping the hands wet with Zest-it -
will remove the natural oils from the skin, causing the skin to dry and
further prolonged contact can cause cracking. Hence the label states
'wash hands after use'.
As a Company we supply this information for ease of access to the product Safety Data Sheet information (commonly known as an MSDS) for any member of the public who uses our products. Zest-it is not classified as a
Dangerous substance, therefore the supply of MSDS is not mandatory for more information on this point please see legal
information regarding MSDS.
(This is a legal document changing altering or misrepresenting the information is illegal and dangerous)
The information contained in this document is furnished without warranty
of any kind. Whilst every care is taken to maintain the highest standards of quality J. & T. Blackman Ltd.
wish to make it clearly understood that it is the users responsibility to ensure the goods are suitable for
his or her own particular requirements. Users should consider this data only as a supplement to other
information gathered by themselves and must make independent determinations of the suitability and
completeness of information from all sources to ensure proper use and disposal of these materials and the
safety of their employees and customers. In no circumstances can claims be entertained for the value of work
alleged to be spoilt by use of a product which proves unsatisfactory, the makers liability being confined to
replacement of any product proved to be defective in respect of material or workmanship.
Zest-it ® and the Logo is a
registered Trade Mark.
Zest-it ® and the Logo is a
registered Trade Mark.