Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KLINGER 54F

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Braided pure PTFE with pure PTFE lubricant based compression packing for specialised
sealing in food applications.

SYNONYMS

Braided, PTFE, lubricant, compression, packing, sealing, "food applications"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  High molecular weight material; on single acute exposure would be expected to pass through gastrointestinal tract with little change / absorption. Occasionally accumulation of the solid material within the alimentary tract may result in formation of a bezoar (concretion), producing discomfort.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Molten material is capable of causing burns.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material, if inhaled, can irritate the throat and lungs of some persons.  The material is not thought to produce either adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Processing for an overly long time or processing at overly high temperatures may cause generation and release of highly irritating vapors, which irritate eyes, nose, throat, causing red itching eyes, coughing, sore throat.  Fumes from burning PTFE-containing materials are irritating to the upper respiratory tract and may be harmful if exposure is prolonged. When heated for a long time a very small amount of hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride and perfluoroisobutylene is generated. The higher the temperature the greater is the decomposition rate.  Symptoms of exposure to hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl fluoride include burning sensation,  cough, dizziness, headache, labored breathing, nausea, shortness of breathe, sore throat and vomiting. Symptoms may be delayed. These substances are corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation may produce lung oedema. Prolonged exposures may produce hypocalcaemia High exposures may be fatal. Medical observation is indicated in the event of such exposures.  Symptoms of exposure to perfluoroisobutylene include cough, shortness of breathe, sore throat. Symptoms may be delayed. Symptoms of lung oedema often do not manifest until a few hours have passed and may be aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, or by the doctor authorised by him/ her, should be considered.  Overheated or burnt PTFE evolves highly irritating and corrosive hydrogen fluoride gas with small amounts of highly toxic carbonyl fluoride. Polymer decomposition starts at 400 deg. C. with rapid degradation at 540 deg. C.. Decomposition products are complex.  Solutions of hydrogen fluoride gas in mucous fluids form highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid so that inhalation of decomposition products can cause symptoms of choking, coughing and severe eye, nose and throat irritation. After a symptomless period of 1-2 days, exposed individuals may experience a set of symptoms described as "polymer fume fever"; this is a temporary flu-like illness with fever, chills and, sometimes, a cough and difficult breathing which lasts for approximately 24 hours.  Inhalation or skin contact with carbonyl fluoride vapour may cause irritation with discomfort and rash. In addition, carbonyl fluoride vapours may produce eye corrosion with corneal and conjunctival ulceration, nose and throat irritation, or temporary irritation of the lungs producing cough discomfort, difficult breathing and shortness of breath.  Individuals with pre-existing lung diseases may have increased susceptibility to the toxic effects of thermal decomposition products.  Usually handled as molten liquid which requires worker thermal protection and increases hazard of vapor exposure.CAUTION: Vapors may be irritating.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  This material contains a substantial amount of polymer considered to be of low concern. These are classified under having MWs of between 1000 to 10000 with less than 25% of molecules with MWS under 1000 and less than 10% under 500; or having a molecular weight average of over 10000. Functional groups contained on the polymer are then classified into risk categories. Being classified as a polymer of "low concern" does not mean that there are no hazards associated with the chemical.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Perfluorinated compounds are potent peroxisome proliferators and were found to induce 8-  hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the liver of treated rats.  The material may produce peroxisome proliferation. Peroxisomes are single, membrane limited, cytoplasmic organelles that are found in the cells of animals, plants, fungi and protozoa. Peroxisome proliferators include certain hypolipidaemic drugs, phthalate ester plasticisers, industrial solvents, herbicides, food flavours, leukotriene D4 antagonists and hormones. Numerous studies in rats and mice have demonstrated the hepatocarcinogenic effects of peroxisome proliferators, and these compounds have been unequivocally established as carcinogens. However it is generally conceded that compounds inducing proliferation in rats and mice have little, if any, effect on human liver except at very high doses or extreme conditions of exposure.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.