AmberStrand Silver Clad Fiber

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview AmberStrand®-Z-Ag metal clad PBO fiber is a whitish-silvery or grey yarn. As shipped, these fibers pose no immediate hazard. Extreme mechanical processing and handling, such as grinding or breaking, can produce airborne respirable fibrils (subfibers) of the polymer core fiber. Animal studies indicate that prolonged overexposure of such fibrils has the potential for lung damage. Use ventilation or a respirator to minimize fibril inhalation if conducting extreme mechanical processing. Less extreme mechanical processing, such as braiding, weaving, sewing, or knitting, can produce low levels of dust and short sections of fiber or fuzz containing nickel, but have not produced measurable fibrils. Nickel, especially its salts, has been reported as causing cancer in laboratory animals. Overexposure to metal dust may cause "metal fume fever" (see inhalation below). Use ventilation or a respirator to avoid breathing dust, fibers, or fuzz. Copper ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea. Ingestion of large doses may cause stomach and intestinal ulceration, jaundice, and kidney and liver damage. Avoid skin contact, as nickel can be a skin sensitizer. Decomposes and emits toxic fumes at higher than 600C. AmberStrand® fibers are non-biodegradable. Since it is high strength, the fiber can severely cut fingers or skin.

Potential health effects

Eyes Fiber fly and dust may cause slight mechanical irritation. Skin Continuous rubbing of fibers and fiber pieces on the skin (as when trapped under cuffs or collar, or when constantly handling fabrics) may cause irritation. Based on Zylon® MSDS data sheet few adverse human health effects are anticipated from contact with the base polymer fiber. But prolonged exposure to nickel may produce dermatitis. Prolonged skin exposure to silver may cause discoloration. Minimize skin contact. Additionally, exposure to copper or copper dust may cause skin greenish-black discoloration. Ingestion Ingestion of nickel may cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness or gastrointestinal irritation. Inhalation AmberStrand® fiber is too big to inhale into the lungs, but fiber dust and fly or segments if filaments may be breathed into the nose or throat. Working unprotected in dusty conditions may cause respiratory irritation and cold-like symptoms.

HMIS® ratings

Health 1 Fire 0 HMIS Reactivity 0 Hazard Scale: 0 = Minimal 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = Serious 4 = Severe * = Chronic hazard