Section 2: Composition/ Information on Ingredients
Ingredients:
%-WeightControl limit: Fibrous Glass (E-type, continuous
filament)
90,0(Min.) To be considered as a
Composition consisting principally
of
(nonrespirable)"nuisance"
oxides silicon, aluminium, calcium, boron,
dust.
Control limits according
and magnesium, fused in an
amorphous
to local regulations
vitreous state.
Surface Sizing (complex mixture; in
general,
2,0(Max.)
None established
of silanes and polymers)
Glass fibre does not meet the classification for
a "dangerous substance" according to 67/548/EEC and 97/69/EC.
Glass fibre carries no CA and no EPA code designation number. CAS
number: see under 65997-17-3.
Glass fibre is considered to be an article as defined in section
710.2(F) of the U.S.TSCA and, as such, is exempt from section 5 and
section 8 (B) reporting requirements.
Section 3: Hazards Identification Emergency Overview: This product is stable and not
flammable under normal industrial conditions. Exposure to continuous
filament glass fibres sometimes causes irritation of the skin and, less
frequently, irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. The primary route of
entry into the body is inhalation. Fibres with diameters equal to or
greater than 3.5 microns do not reach the lower respiratory tract ( in
other words: are not respirable) and thus have no possibility of causing
serious pulmonary disease. These glass fibres, due to their favourable
large diameters greater than 3.5 microns are NOT respirable, nor can
they become respirable by any normal industrial processing.
Primary Route(s) of Entry: Inhalation Signs and Symptoms of Overexposure: Rash, itching,
conjunctivitis, coughing, sneezing. Health Hazards(Acute): Exposure to continuous filament glass
fibres sometimes causes
irritation of the
skin and, less frequently irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. (Chronic)/Carcinogenicity Status: See section 11. Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: None known EC Labelling Classification:Not a dangerous substance or
preparation
Section 4: First-Aid Measures Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clear water for at least 15
minutes - seek medical attention. Skin Contact: Rinse contact areas with room temperature to cool
water, then wash gently with mild soap. If glass fibre becomes embedded,
seek medical attention. Inhalation: If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
Product is NOT respirable. If swallowed: Seek medical attention.
Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures Flash Point: Non-burning Flammable Limits: Not applicable Extinguishing Media: Not applicable Special Fire Fighting Procedures: In a sustained fire,
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be worn. Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Not applicable Special Exposure Hazards from Fire: Hazardous products of
combustion of sizings and
binders may be
released in a sustained fire. The larger part
of the glass fibre product is non-flammable E-glass.
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled:
No special precautions. Waste Disposal Method: Dispose of as solid waste in accordance
with Government regulations. Product is to be considered as a non-respirable
"nuisance dust" (see Section 13, Disposal Considerations). Use
of suitable overalls will maximise comfort both at cleaning up and
normal processing activities.
Section 7: Handling and Storage
7.1 Handling Precautions to be Taken in Handling: Non relative to health
and safety. This product is to be considered as a non-respirable
"nuisance dust". Control limits according to local
regulations.
7.2 Storage Precautions to be Taken in Storage: For optimum performance,
Fibre Glass products should be stored at a temperature less than 25
°
C and a relative humidity less than 65%. Glass fibre has electrically
isolation properties and hence may give some static.
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection Respiratory Protection: None normally required. If
airborne glass fibre concentrations exceed the control limit,
respiratory protection for nuisance dusts should be provided. Ventilation: Use local exhaust ventilation if necessary to
maintain airborne levels to below established limit. Skin Protection: Protective gloves may reduce skin irritation in
some operations. Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields should be worn. Other Protective Equipment: Use of overalls, buttoned to fit
loosely at the neck and wrists, long trousers, and good personal hygiene
will maximise comfort. The use of barrier creams may provide additional
skin comfort. Measurement Procedures/References: The American Conference of
Government Hygienists (ACGIH) has adopted a Threshold Limit Value (TLV®)
for fibrous glass dust of 5mg/m
³
(TWA, 8 hours), inhalable fraction. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not prescribe a Permissible
Exposure Limit (PEL) for fibrous glass but relies on the PEL-TWA's for
nuisance dust of 15 mg/m
³
(total) and 5 mg/m³
(respirable).
The TLV® 's have been adopted by many other countries.
The TLV® pertains to airborne continuous glass fibre concentrations in
mg of glass fibre/m
³
of air. A clear distinction should be made between non-respirable
fibres and airborne respirable fibres.
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties.
Appearance: Yellow to white fibres bound together in strands
Odour: None
pH: Not applicable
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Melting Point(softening): 800°C
Freezing Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Non-burning Flammability: Not applicable
Auto-ignition/explosion limits: Not applicable Oxidation Risk: Not
applicable
Electrical conductivity: E-glass is an electrical insulator
Autoflammability:Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable Vapour Pressure: Not applicable
Specific Gravity (bare glass): 2.6-2.7 (Water = 1) Vapour Density: Not
applicable
Percent volatile:Wet chopped strands:15%(Max.,Water);Mat:6.5%(Max); all
others 2%(Max)
Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient: Not applicable
Solubility: Insoluble in water. For some applications, e.g. paper
reinforcement, Wet fibres are available that are made dispersible in
water through their special sizing. Most Fibre Glass types will disperse
to some extent in organic solvents like styrene, acetone, etc. depending
on their specific application.
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Stability: Stable Conditions to Avoid: None known Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): None known Hazardous Decomposition Products: In a sustained fire, sizings
and binders may decompose releasing hazardous products of combustion
(see Section 5). Hazardous Polymerisation: Will not occur.
Section 11: Toxicological Information
Factors in fibre toxicity include: Fibre dimensions and degree
of exposure. Fibre Dimensions: Fibres are either non-respirable or respirable.
Respirable fibres can penetrate to the "deep" lung area.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), man- made mineral
fibres with diameters equal to or greater than 3.0 microns are non-respirable.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
fibres with diameters less than or equal to 3.5 microns are non-respirable.
The narrow, bending passages of the human respiratory system, do not
permit the relatively larger, non-respirable fibres to enter the
"deep" lung area. Instead, they strike the surfaces of the
upper respiratory tract, nose or pharynx and stop. They may then be
filtered by nasal hairs or other natural mechanisms. Due to the
manufacturing process used, these Fibre Glass products have diameters
greater than 3.5
microns and are considered
to be non-respirable. The fibres do not become respirable upon the
sanding/machine processing activities typical of our customers. Upon
breakage, the fibres break horizontally into smaller lengths but not
longitudinally into smaller diameters.
Degree of Exposure: According to Johnson et. al., in
a 1969 US study of four fibrous glass production plants, "the
results in terms of airborne concentration of glass fibres and total
dust would indicate that the workmen's exposure to these materials is
negligible".
Carcinogenicity: The International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organisation
(WHO). IARC concludes that continuous fibre glass filaments are not
classifiable as to their carcinogenicity in humans (Group 3) because
there is inadequate evidence on the carcinogenicity of these materials
in humans or experimental animals. In a 1987 US epidemiological study
(20 years latency) of glass filament workers, there was no excess of
respiratory cancer found. In a 1987 European study (over 20 years
latency) there was no excess of lung cancer found. In both studies there
was no increasing trend with an estimated time-weighted measure of
exposure. In a study administering large diameter glass filament (>3
microns) intraperitoneally to rats, no statistically significant tumour
response was found. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) gives continuous filament fibre glass an A4
designation meaning there is inadequate data to classify it as a
carcinogen. Continuous filament fibre glass is not listed in the
National Toxicology Program (NTP) 7th Annual Report on Carcinogens, nor
is it regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen.
Section 12: Ecological Information
Because glass fibre is generally considered to be an inert solid
waste, no special precautions should be taken in case it is released or
spilled. None of our glass fibre products contain or are manufactured
with Class 1 or Class 11 Ozone-Depleting Chemicals (CFCs)
Section 13: Disposal Considerations Glass fibre is generally considered to be an inert solid waste
not requiring hazardous waste disposal procedures. Local or national
regulations should be consulted to ensure proper disposal procedures for
your location. Glass fibre products which have become part of a
reinforced plastic or uncured resin system must be disposed of in
accordance with applicable requirements for those plastics or resins
where they exist.
Section 14: Transport Information
No special precautions or restrictions involving transport or
conveyance of glass fibre are known to us.
Section 15: Regulatory Information
Glass fibres are considered in Europe under the EC regulations
as being additives when used as reinforcements for plastics that are
intended to come into direct or indirect contact with food and as such
have been listed in Annex 111 of Directive 96/11/EC (amendment to
Directive 90/128/EEC) under PM/ Reference No 55520 with no restrictions
mentioned in the pertaining table.
Health and Safety Text on the product packaging label:
NOTICE: contact with fibrous glass may cause temporary
irritation. Wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing when handling the
material. Gloves and eye protection may be appropriate in certain
operations. Wash with soap and warm water after handling. Use of a
disposable mask in accordance with occupational safety and health
administration 1910.134 respiratory protection requirements designed for
nuisance dusts is advisable where high dust levels may be encountered.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated
continuous filament fibre glass as a group 3, "not classifiable as
to human carcinogenicity". This means that evidence is not
sufficient to link that fibre to cancer.