Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KANEKA KANEVINYL

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Vinyl chloride polymer used for large scale plastic manufacture.

SYNONYMS

(C2H3Cl)x, "ethene chloro homopolymer", "ethylene, chloro-, polymers", "fabricated PVC",
"chloroethene chloroethylene homopolymer", "polyvinyl chloride resin", "poly vinyl
chloride", "poly(chloroethylene) PVC resin", "poly(vinyl chloride)", "unplasticised PVC",
uPVC, "PVC homopolymer"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

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

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, 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.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by inhalation of generated dust, skin contact and inhalation of fumes from the heated material.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.  An epidemiological study conducted with workers engaged in the production  of chlorinated derivatives of polyvinyl chlorinated, showed an increased  frequency of ischaemic heart disease, intermittent lameness and strokes  when compared to the unexposed cohort.  Polyvinyl chloride dusts produce dyspnea, decreased pulmonary function,  occupational asthma with cough and breathlessness, interstitial  pneumonitis, pneumoconiosis with diffuse fibrosis, granulomatous tissue  and secondary polyglobulia. Animal studies show exposure produces  bronchiolitis, alveolitis, random lung lesions, and pathomorphological  degenerative and hyperplastic inflammatory changes in the liver. Foetal  mortality was also increased although malformations were not evident.