Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

K & H POLYESTER RESIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

In fibre glass reinforced laminates and mouldings. Also used in castings. Usually mixed
with peroxide catalyst immediately before use or as it is used. Generates heat (exotherm)
as it cures (hardens). In large mass exotherm may cause styrene vapour generation.

SYNONYMS

"styrene polyester K & H", "polyester resin liquid K & H", "polyester K & H", "polyester
resin binder K & H", "foundry binder resin", "fibreglass resin K & H"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
HARMFUL - May cause lung damage if swallowed.
Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes and skin.
Flammable.

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations, but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  

  The principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/  absorption and inhalation of vapours. Skin contact causes cracking and  inflammation of the skin due to defatting. High concentrations may have a  toxic and anaesthetic effect, which may lead to unconsciousness or death.  At 400-1000 ppm, the vapour may produce systemic effects such as dizziness,  lowered blood pressure, nausea and headache. Aspiration of vomitus may  Ingestion may result in nausea, narcosis and vomiting. Aspiration of vomitus  may cause potentially fatal chemical pneumonitis. At 100 ppm can lead to  unconsciousness. At 10000 ppm may cause death in less than one hour.  Exposure can cause nausea, headache, vomiting and central nervous system  depression. Styrene is excreted fairly rapidly in urine, largely as hippuric  acid. Potential users of styrene should be screened for C.N.S. disorders,  chronic respirator disease, skin disease, kidney disease and liver disease.