Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VANTICO HARDENER HY 953 F

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Curing agent for epoxy resins.

SYNONYMS

curing, agent, epoxy, resin

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause, if swallowed once, irreversible damage of organs.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Ingestion of amine epoxy-curing agents (hardeners) may cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The vomitus may contain blood and mucous. If death does not occur within 24 hours there may be an improvement in the patients condition for 2-4 days only to be followed by the sudden onset of abdominal pain, boardlike abdominal rigidity or hypo- tension; this indicates that delayed gastric or esophageal corrosive damage has occurred.  Amines without benzene rings when swallowed are absorbed throughout the gut. Corrosive action may cause damage throughout the gastrointestinal tract. They are removed through the liver, kidney and intestinal mucosa by enzyme breakdown.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  Vapors of volatile amines irritate the eyes, causing excessive secretion of tears, inflammation of the conjunctiva and slight swelling of the cornea, resulting in "halos" around lights. This effect is temporary, lasting only for a few hours. However this condition can reduce the efficiency of undertaking skilled tasks, such as driving a car. Direct eye contact with liquid volatile amines may produce eye damage, permanent for the lighter species.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  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.  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.  The material may cause severe 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. Repeated exposures may produce severe ulceration.  Amine epoxy-curing agents (hardeners) may produce primary skin irritation and sensitization dermatitis in predisposed individuals. Cutaneous reactions include erythema,  intolerable itching and severe facial swelling. Blistering, with weeping of serous fluid, and crusting and scaling may also occur. Individuals exhibiting "amine dermatitis" may experience a dramatic reaction upon re-exposure to minute quantities. Highly sensitive persons may even react to cured resins containing trace amounts of unreacted amine hardener. Minute quantities of air-borne amine may precipitate intense dermatological symptoms in sensitive individuals. Prolonged or repeated exposure may produce tissue necrosis.  Volatile amine vapors produce irritation and inflammation of the skin. Direct contact can cause burns. They may be absorbed through the skin and cause similar effects to swallowing, leading to death. The skin may exhibit whiteness, redness and wheals.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects 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.  Inhalation of epoxy resin amine hardeners (including polyamines and amine adducts) and may produce bronchospasm and coughing episodes lasting several days after cessation of the exposure. Even faint traces of these vapors may trigger an intense reaction in individuals showing "amine asthma". The literature records several instances of systemic intoxications following the use of amines in epoxy resin systems.  Inhalation of amine vapors may cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, and lung irritation with respiratory distress and cough. Swelling and inflammation of the respiratory tract is seen in serious cases; with headache, nausea, faintness and anxiety There may also be wheezing.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  There is some evidence that human exposure to the material may result in developmental toxicity. This evidence is based on animal studies where effects have been observed in the absence of marked maternal toxicity, or at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which are not secondary non-specific consequences of the other toxic effects.  Exposure to the material for prolonged periods may cause physical defects in the developing embryo (teratogenesis).  Inhalation of epoxy resin amine hardeners (including polyamines and amine adducts) and may produce bronchospasm and coughing episodes lasting several days after cessation of the exposure. Even faint traces of these vapors may trigger an intense reaction in individuals showing "amine asthma". The literature records several instances of systemic intoxications following the use of amines in epoxy resin systems.  Long-term exposure to phenol derivatives can cause skin inflammation, loss of appetite and weight, weakness, muscle aches and pain, liver damage, dark urine, loss of nails, skin eruptions, diarrhea, nervous disorders with headache, salivation, fainting, discoloration of the skin and eyes, vertigo and mental disorders, and damage to the liver and kidneys.