Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE/ HEXAFLUOROPROPENE COPOLYMER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

· Material is mixed and used in accordance with manufacturers directions. Molten or
heated material may be moulded or extruded. Cured material is used for flexible gaskets,
seals, tubing in automobiles, low temperature equipment. CARE: Temperatures above 200 deg
C. in compounding may give rise to highly irritating and toxic fumes of hydrogen fluoride.

SYNONYMS

(C3F6.C2H2F2)x, "1-propene, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoro-, polymer with 1, 1-
difluoroethene", "1-propene, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoro-, polymer with 1, 1-
difluoroethene", "1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoro-1-propene, polymer with 1, 1-
difluoroethene", "1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoro-1-propene, polymer with 1, 1-
difluoroethene", "propene, hexafluoro-, polymer with 1, 1-difluoroethylene", "propene,
hexafluoro-, polymer with 1, 1-difluoroethylene", FC-26, FC-2178, "Fluoroplast 26 F26",
"Ftorlon F26", "Ftoroplast 26", "Kynar 1800", 2800, 2801, 2812, "Kynar Flex 2800", SF2,
"Solef 10512", 11010, 11012, 11512

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Overexposure is unlikely in this form.  The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. 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, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern.  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 cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

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.  Molten material is capable of causing burns.  

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.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  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.  Acute effects of fluoride inhalation include irritation of nose and throat, coughing and chest discomfort. A single acute over-exposure may even cause nose bleed. Pre-existing respiratory conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis may be aggravated by exposure. Occupational asthma may result from exposure.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  This product contains a polymer with a functional group considered to be of high concern. Reactive groups not categorized are generally listed as high risk. Toxicity is lower for larger species because they are less easily absorbed by the body. However even large polymers with more than one high-risk reactive group cannot be classified as a low risk polymer.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.