TECAFORM

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA HOMOPOLYMER ACETAL POLYMER There are no known effects from exposure to the Acetal polymer itself. If overheated, the polymer released formaldehyde which may cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergic reactions. Significant skin permeation and systemic toxicity after contact appears unlikely. There are inconclusive or unverified reports of human sensitization. POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) Inhalation of PTFE dust may cause generalized irritation of the nose, throat and lungs with cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Heating PTFE above 300oC (572oF) may liberate a fine particulate fume. Inhalation may produce polymer fume fever, a temporary flu‐like condition with fever, chills, nausea, shortness of breath, chest tightness, muscle or joint ache, and sometimes cough and elevated white blood cell count. The symptoms are often delayed 4 to 24 hours after exposure. These signs are generally temporary, lasting 24 – 48 hours and resolve without further complications. However, some individuals with repeated episodes of polymer fume fever have reported persistent pulmonary effects. Protection against polymer fume fever should also provide protection against any potential chronic effects. Exposure to decomposition products from PTFE heated above 400oC (752oF)may cause pulmonary inflammation, hemorrhage or edema. These more serious consequences of exposure may occur from extreme thermal decomposition of PTFE which can liberate fume particles and toxic gases (carbonyl fluoride, hydrogen fluoride, and other fluorinated gases) especially under conditions of poor ventilation and/or confined spaces. The decomposition products may initially produce chest tightness or pain, chills, fever, nausea, with shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and progression into pulmonary edema. Edema may be delayed in onset and requires medical treatment. In severe cases, if medical intervention is delayed, pulmonary edema may become life threatening. Recovery is generally complete within a few days; in some rare cases, persistent lung function abnormalities have been reported. Compared to nonsmokers, polymer fume fever symptoms appear to be more prevalent and serious in smokers. Smokers must avoid contamination of tobacco with residual polymer from their hands or from fumes, and should was their hands before smoking. Significant skin permeation and systemic toxicity after contact with the dust appears unlikely. There are no reports of human sensitization from contact with dust. If PTFE dusts contact the eye, mechanical irritation with tearing, pain or blurred vision may result. Individuals with pre‐existing diseases of the lungs or cardiovascular system may have increased susceptibility to the reduction in blood oxygen that may develop after excessive exposures to thermal decomposition products. CARCINOGENICITY INFORMATION