Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

M-CRESOL/ FORMALDEHYDE RESIN

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Base resin for phenolic moulding compounds when mixed with reinforcing fibres, fillers,
curing agents for moulding under heat / pressure. Used in specialised adhesives and
coatings. Keep dry to avoid a steam explosion when processing under heat & pressure.

SYNONYMS

"(C7-H8-O. C-H2-O)x", "phenolic resin", "cresol/ formaldehyde", "cresylic acid/ formalin
copolymer", "formaldehyde/ 3-methylphenol polymer", "formaldehyde/ 3-methylphenol
polymer", MP-707, SK4, "Novolac resin"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

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.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  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

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

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.  Inhalation of vapor may aggravate a pre-existing respiratory condition.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption, inhalation of generated dust and inhalation of vapor from heated material.  This product contains a polymer with reactive functional groups (aldehydes and phenolics) regarded as being of moderate concern. Aldehydes are reactive, soluble and are highly irritating. The lower (lighter) aldehydes attack exposed tissues and less soluble species can enter the lungs. Phenolics groups with ortho and para positions free are reactive. Toxicity is lower for larger species because they are less easily absorbed by the body. However even large polymers with more than one medium-risk reactive group cannot be classified as a low risk polymer.