Product Name: Polyether
Chemical Family: Polyalkylene oxide
Product Use: Used in manufacturing adhesives, sealants, elastomers, foams, and coatings
Synonyms: Polyether polyol, polyethylene oxide
Manufacturer Details: Company name, address, contact number, emergency phone line
CAS Number: 9003-11-6 (usually found as a generic identifier)
Relevant Identified Uses: Component in polymer production, surfactant base, resin modifier
Supplier Contact: Usually listed for batch tracing and recall queries
Hazard Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS, but dust or fumes can cause irritation
Signal Word: None required
Hazard Statements: May cause mild skin, eye, and airway irritation
Pictograms: No pictogram usually applied
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash after handling, use adequate protection
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact possible during handling
Effects of Overexposure: Prolonged exposure to dust or vapor leads to discomfort or mild irritation of respiratory tract
Symptoms: Redness, itching, coughing, sneezing, mild nausea reported in some industrial cases
Chemical Name: Polyether, varies by specific formulation
Common Ingredients: Ethylene oxide polymer, propylene oxide polymer, trace catalysts, stabilizers
Concentration: Polyether content typically greater than 95%, minor additives < 5%
Impurities: Low levels of unreacted monomers, residual solvents below regulatory limits
Other Identifiers: Trade names and catalog numbers differ
Molecular Formula: (C2H4O)n or (C3H6O)n, depending on base materials
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing if needed, medical attention for persistent discomfort
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash area with soap and water, seek treatment for irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses, call for help if redness continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, avoid inducing vomiting, consult healthcare provider
Most Important Symptoms: Coughing, mild eye or skin irritation
Notes for Doctors: Treat symptomatically based on exposure route and symptoms
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry powder, carbon dioxide, foam—never use straight water jets
Special Hazards: Burning can release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, other toxic vapors
Firefighting Instructions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Unusual Fire Hazards: Dust can form explosive mixtures in air if present in enough quantity
Protective Equipment: Personal protection for firefighters: gloves, boots, chemical suit
Combustion Products: CO, CO2, other gases depending on structure and additives
Personal Precautions: Use goggles, gloves, and dust mask if airborne material present
Spill Cleanup: Sweep or scoop solid, absorb liquid with inert material (sand, vermiculite), use tools designed to prevent sparking
Environmental Precautions: Keep away from water sources to avoid foam and pollution
Methods for Disposal: Collect in proper containers for local compliance disposal
Containment: Prevent product from entering drains or waterways, report release to authorities if needed
Decontamination: Wash affected area with water and detergent, ventilate
Handling: Use local exhaust, avoid raising dust, ensure area is well-ventilated, keep containers tightly closed
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry area in sealed, labeled containers, away from heat and direct sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers, isocyanates
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating or drinking, change clothing if contaminated
Specific Use: Industrial and commercial processes follow procedures for other polyethers or resins
Packaging: Use containers made of steel, plastic, or lined fiber drums or tanks
Exposure Limits: Not established for polyether itself, check for residual solvent or catalyst levels
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, process enclosure, maintain low dust or vapor concentration
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, dust mask or respirator
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved mask for dusty handling conditions
Hand Protection: Butyl or nitrile gloves, frequent change curbs permeation
Eye Protection: Splash goggles or face shield if risk of splatter exists
Skin and Body Protection: Long sleeves and trousers, chemical-resistant boots for spill risk
Appearance: Clear to cloudy viscous liquid or powder depending on grade
Odor: Mild, characteristic, almost neutral
Melting Point/Range: Below -40°C for some liquids, variable for powders
Boiling Point: Over 200°C for high molecular weight grades
Flash Point: Between 180°C and 230°C
Solubility: Miscible with water and alcohol for some types, others less soluble
Density: 1.0 – 1.2 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature
pH Value: Neutral (5.5 - 8.0) for aqueous solutions
Viscosity: Ranges from less than 100 to over 10,000 mPa.s, varies by chain length
Evaporation Rate: Negligible for high weight compounds
Partition Coefficient: Log Kow typically low, indicating limited bioaccumulation potential
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard conditions of temperature and pressure
Conditions to Avoid: Heating above recommended storage temperature, contact with strong oxidizers, sources of ignition
Reactivity: Oxidizes exothermically in presence of strong agents, can generate heat or gas with other chemicals
Incompatible Materials: Peroxides, alkali metals, acids, bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: CO, CO2, possible acrid smoke, low molecular fragments
Polymerization Risk: Low under normal use, avoid mixing with reactive chemicals
Corrosion: May degrade some metals or rubber seals over long periods
Acute Toxicity: Oral and skin toxicity low based on animal studies, LD50 (oral, rat) above 2,000 mg/kg
Skin and Eye Irritation: Mild, not a sensitizer in typical industrial formulations
Respiratory Sensitization: No evidence in studies, dust or vapor may irritate sensitive individuals
Long-term Effects: No chronic exposure effects reported in documented use, no evidence for carcinogenicity
Other Risks: Impurities (residual catalyst, unreacted monomer) may raise risk; regular monitoring advisable
Additional Comments: Some sensitive users describe allergic response to certain grades
Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity for aquatic organisms based on available data, LC50 (fish, 96 h) > 100 mg/L
Persistence & Degradability: Slowly biodegradable, depends on chain length and co-monomers
Bioaccumulative Potential: Log Kow below 2, not likely to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Moves with water in porous media; low volatility
Other Effects: No significant ozone depletion or global warming potential from manufacture or release
Special Issues: High concentrations in wastewater can lead to foaming or mechanical issues at water treatment plants
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate in approved incinerators for organic waste, follow local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse and offer drum recycling if possible, or dispose as chemical waste
Special Instructions: Avoid release to surface water, process water, or unlined landfill
Regulatory Control: Check for specific local or national disposal categories (e.g., European Waste Catalogue codes for polyethers)
UN Number: Not classified as a dangerous good for land, air, or sea transport under normal conditions
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Labeling Requirements: Product name, hazard warnings, emergency contacts for bulk shipments
Special Transport Measures: Protect from moisture and direct sunlight, maintain packing integrity
Regulatory Bodies: Must comply with DOT, IMDG, ICAO/IATA if mixed with hazardous substances
Other Classifications: Not considered hazardous by OSHA, European REACH registration usually fulfilled
National Inventory Listings: Polyether classes listed on TSCA, EINECS, DSL (confirm for specific grade)
SARA Title III (Sections 311/312): Not considered hazardous
WHMIS (Canada): Not controlled product
Label Elements: Include chemical name, manufacturer details, precautionary statements for industrial use
Special Notes: Trace ingredients or stabilizers can trigger extra labeling for specific end uses, e.g., medical or food-contact
