Product Name: Polyether Polyol
Chemical Family: Polyether
CAS Number: Mixture, varies by producer
Intended Use: Core ingredient in polyurethane foam production; also found in adhesives, coatings, elastomers, sealants
Manufacturer Contact: Manufacturer’s address and emergency phone must be kept with the product. Labels often list a 24-hour response number for spills or exposure.
Synonyms: Polyoxyalkylene glycol, Polyalkylene glycol
Emergency Identification: Yellowish or clear viscous liquid, slight odor, not volatile, does not look like water, often labeled with “Polyether Polyol” and may include batch IDs for recalls.
Acute Health Effects: Skin and eye irritation, sometimes respiratory irritation if vapor or mist forms. Symptoms include redness, itching, coughing. No confirmed carcinogenicity.
Chronic Effects: Extended exposure can dry or crack skin. Nobody has shown chronic toxicity in standard animal tests or worker reports, but irritation remains the main concern.
Physical Hazards: Product burns, producing dense smoke and potential carbon monoxide. Heated product can trigger toxic vapor release.
GHS Classification: Not rated acutely toxic but carries “Warning” for skin/eye irritation.
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes mild skin and eye irritation. Harmful if inhaled as mist.
Precautionary Measures: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Prevent inhalation of vapor and mist. Wear gloves, safety glasses, and use exhaust ventilation.
Chemical Composition: Mixture, mainly polyether chains terminated with hydroxyl groups. Some blends contain minor stabilizers, process aids, or small proportions of low molecular weight glycols.
CAS Ingredients: Varies by manufacturer and grade, generally contains proprietary ranges of polyols (typically between 95%-100%) and possible <1% additives for storage.
Impurities: May include trace catalysts, antioxidants (BHT, hindered phenols), sometimes below reporting threshold.
Exact Formula: Kept confidential under commercial secrecy, but all significant hazards reported based on established polyether chemistry.
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Give artificial respiration if not breathing. Call medical help if symptoms like dizziness or cough persist.
Skin Contact: Wash immediately with warm water and soap. Remove any contaminated clothing. Prolonged contact can irritate or dry skin.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes slowly and gently for at least 15 minutes. Hold eyelids open to flush all areas. Medical examination should follow if irritation remains.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek prompt medical help; product not considered highly toxic, but may irritate gut or cause muffled breathing if aspirated.
Note to Doctor: Symptom-driven treatment. No specific antidote. Monitor for delayed respiratory symptoms.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: CO2, dry chemical, foam, or water spray—never use high-pressure water jet as it may spread burning product.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Decomposes to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, and organic vapors. Smoke can be dense.
Special Firefighting Procedures: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective wear needed due to risk of toxic gases. Keep product containers cool with water if threatened by fire.
Flammability: Not classified as highly flammable, autoignition temperature typically above 350°C, but burns if fire starts.
Explosion Risk: Not explosive, viscous liquid. Containers exposed to intense heat can rupture.
Personal Precautions: Use gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and chemical-resistant boots. Avoid inhalation exposure in confined spaces.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into sewers, drains, or waterways. Use dykes to contain large spills.
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Absorb with sand, dry earth, or vermiculite—never mop with water alone. Place absorbed material in sealed drum. Minor residues can be wiped with damp rags.
Decontamination: After large spills, ventilate area. Dispose of cleanup materials using proper regulatory procedures.
Incident Reporting: Any major release must be documented with time, place, amount, cause, and proposed action for future prevention.
Handling Practices: Wear proper PPE—gloves, goggles, long-sleeve protective wear. Prevent repeated or extended skin contact. Decant in ventilated areas to avoid buildup of vapors.
Preventing Release: Always keep lids tightly closed. Do not bend or drop drums.
Storage Temperature: Store between 15°C and 35°C, away from heat or direct sunlight. Avoid freezing as product becomes stiff or separates.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, oxidizers, some amines can trigger heat and unwanted reactions.
Storage Conditions: Use corrosion-resistant lined tanks. Do not store with food or personal items.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust at points of transfer. Keep air flow to maintain worker exposures below safe limits.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Impermeable gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety glasses, chemical splash-resistant clothing, and, if mists form, organic vapor respirator.
Hygiene Practices: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and clean before reuse.
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV specific to product; treat as nuisance dust (10 mg/m³ for aerosols/mists).
Appearance: Transparent or pale yellow viscous liquid, no crystallization unless chilled below 0°C.
Odor: Slight, sweetish chemical odor
pH (1% solution): Typically neutral to slightly basic (6.5–8.5)
Boiling Point: Not relevant; decomposes before boiling
Melting/Freezing Point: Below -15°C; can solidify at extreme cold
Flash Point: 180–240°C (closed cup), well above room temperature
Density: 1.02–1.12 g/cm³ at 25°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in polar organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Relatively low at standard temperature
Viscosity: Highly viscous at room temperature, flows slowly
Stability: Stable under ordinary storage, but breaks down at high temperature or with strong acids.
Reactivity: Reacts with isocyanates for polyurethane formation; reacts violently with strong oxidizers.
Hazardous Polymerization: Unlikely under regular conditions.
Decomposition Products: Produces carbon oxides and smaller organics if overheated.
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to heat, direct sunlight, or mixing with incompatible chemicals.
Acute Toxicity Data: Oral LD50 (rat): >2,000 mg/kg, not significantly toxic. Inhalation: Mists may irritate upper respiratory tract.
Skin Contact: Repeated exposure triggers dry, cracked skin in some workers. No sensitization reported in controlled studies.
Eye Contact: Direct exposure leads to temporary burning and redness.
Chronic Toxicity: Animal studies and worker monitoring found no evidence for reproductive or carcinogenic effects.
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Sensitization: Not identified as skin or respiratory sensitizer.
Health Effects Summary: Main issues: irritation, especially from repeated or prolonged exposure. No cumulative systemic effects.
Environmental Fate: Limited biodegradation in soil over months, not readily mobile. Remains mostly on surfaces if released accidentally.
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Fish LC50 values above 100 mg/L (low acute hazard). Little risk of serious effects on invertebrates or algae at usual spill levels.
Persistence: May linger but eventually breaks down via natural microbe action.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low; not detected in aquatic tissue.
Disposal Caution: Large releases can form slicks on water. Avoid accidental pouring into streams or wastewater.
Preferred Disposal: Incinerate in accredited facilities with afterburner and scrubber. Large containers often sent for thermal destruction.
Small Quantities: Absorb on earth or clay. Place in sealed drums for collection by professional waste handler.
Container Cleaning: Empty drums should be triple-rinsed or steam cleaned before scrapping or reuse.
Local Regulations: Follow local and national waste management codes. Never dump on open ground or into any water system unapproved by authorities.
UN Number: Not regulated for most grades.
Transport Hazard Class: None—typically shipped as non-hazardous liquid.
Proper Shipping Name: Polyether Polyol or “Non-regulated Commodity”
Packing Group: Not assigned.
Special Precautions: Banded drums, keep upright. Protect from heat and excessive movement during transit. Ensure containers sealed at all times.
Bulk Shipping: Use lined or clean steel ISO tanks. Tankers need ground straps for static discharge to avoid fires during loading/unloading.
Spill Response in Transit: Use dry absorbent. Notify authorities if release occurs during shipping.
OSHA Status: Product contains no chemicals subject to specific OSHA hazards, but standard safety must apply.
TSCA Inventory: All main components listed on TSCA (U.S.). Check local regulatory listings for full compliance, especially additives.
SARA 313: Not subject to reporting for hazardous chemicals above de minimis concentrations.
REACH Registration: Covered by registration or exemption in EU if imported above 1 ton/year; check specific grade.
Label Requirements: GHS label: warning for skin/eye irritation, use PPE icon.
Proposition 65 (California): Not listed.
Worker Safety: Training and hazard communication as required by workplace legislature.
Fire Codes: Store in compliance with local fire safety laws; keep clear exit aisles.
