Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Flame Retardant in Unsaturated Polyester

Identification

Product Name: Flame Retardant for Unsaturated Polyester
Chemical Family: Phosphorus-based and Brominated Compounds
Recommended Use: Fire resistance enhancer for unsaturated polyester resins
Manufacturer Details: Company name, address, and contact phone number for emergencies
Emergency Contact: CHEMTREC 24-hour service, including international numbers
Synonyms: Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, Ammonium polyphosphate, Antimony trioxide
Supplier Email: Customer service email, procurement emails, address details
CAS Number: Exact identifiers for main ingredients such as 13674-84-5 (TCEP), 68333-79-9 (APP), 1309-64-4 (Sb2O3)
Product Code: Internal batch and lot tracking numbers

Hazard Identification

Hazard Class: Acute toxicity, possible reproductive hazard, skin/eye irritation
Signal Word: Danger
Label Elements: Flame, exclamation mark, health hazard pictograms
Hazard Statements: May cause respiratory irritation, may cause eye irritation, may damage fertility, suspected of causing cancer
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wear protective gloves and eye protection, wash hands thoroughly, keep away from food and drink
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Nose, throat irritation on inhalation; redness, possible blistering on skin; burning sensation in eyes; nausea and headache on ingestion
Classification: According to local GHS and OSHA guidelines

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Components: Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP): 40-70%, Ammonium polyphosphate: 20-50%, Antimony trioxide: 2-10%
Supporting Additives: Alumina trihydrate, decabromodiphenyl ether, minor substances for stability
CAS Numbers: TCEP (13674-84-5), APP (68333-79-9), Sb2O3 (1309-64-4)
Impurities: Typically less than 1%—check with the supplier for confirmed trace contaminants
Physical Form: White or off-white powder, sometimes granules, depending on grade

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air, allow rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist, monitor for coughing or labored breathing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin with soap and water, use cool water to rinse, obtain medical help for skin irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with low-pressure running water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, avoid rubbing, get prompt ophthalmic evaluation if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water only if person is fully conscious, get medical attention immediately, collect packaging for medical staff
Symptoms to Watch: Persistent cough, shortness of breath, rash, burning eyes, abdominal distress
Advice to Physicians: Treat symptomatically, provide respiratory support as needed, monitor for delayed effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water spray, foam—the use depends on surroundings
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread powder
Hazards Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, hydrochloric acid, phosphorus oxides, brominated compounds, impaired air quality from fumes
Special Firefighting Equipment: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), stay upwind, avoid breathing smoke
Special Procedures: Move product containers away from fire, use water spray to cool exposed surfaces, control runoff
Flash Point: Product commonly non-flammable by nature but supports fire resistance
Explosion Hazards: Dust can form explosive mixtures in air under some rare processing conditions

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, wear suitable PPE including respirators, prevent skin/eye contact
Spill Cleanup: Sweep or vacuum without generating dust, use HEPA filtration if possible, avoid dry sweeping if dust clouds form, gather in clean labeled container
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from entering drains, sewers, waterways, collect residues for safe disposal
Decontamination: Wash spill site with adequate water after removal of bulk material, avoid runoff into soil or vegetation
Disposal of Cleanup Materials: Place in appropriate waste containers, label clearly, dispose of as hazardous waste

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, minimize dust creation, avoid breathing powder, keep containers closed when not in use, avoid eating/drinking during use, provide stations for handwashing
Storage: Store in original packaging, keep in dry, cool, and well-ventilated room, avoid exposure to direct sunlight or high heat, separate from incompatible substances (oxidizers, acids), use grounded equipment to prevent static discharge
Transfer: Use tools and procedures that minimize dust, avoid metal strikes that might spark
Storage Duration: Check expiration dates for effectiveness, rotate stock to use older batches first

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: TWA (time-weighted average) and STEL (short-term limits) provided by ACGIH, OSHA (e.g., antimony trioxide: 0.5 mg/m³ TWA)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, process enclosures, dust collection systems, allergen management plans
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved dust masks or half-face respirator with P100 filter for significant dust conditions
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles, full-face shields for high exposure
Skin Protection: Non-permeable gloves (nitrile or PVC), coveralls, closed-toe shoes
Hygiene Practices: Remove and wash contaminated clothing, shower at end of shift, keep food areas separate
Monitoring: Environmental and personal monitoring for dust and specific flame retardants in air

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White/off-white solid powder or granular form, slight chemical odor
Odor: Faint, non-distinct, sometimes sweet or chemical
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5–7.5, in 10% aqueous solution)
Melting Point: Typically above 195°C (varies by formulation)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not easily flammable, above 200°C
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at standard temperature
Vapor Density: Not applicable for solids
Solubility: Slight or moderate solubility in water (varies with component), soluble in organic solvents
Density: Around 1.6–2.2 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient: log Pow varies, tends to be low
Viscosity: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Very low, product is solid at room temperature

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature and pressure, shelf life supported for several years under proper storage
Reactivity: No hazardous reactions expected under normal processing
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high temperatures, incompatible chemicals (strong acids, oxidizers), sparks or open flame scenario for dust
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, oxidants, heavy metals
Decomposition Products: Produces toxic gases (e.g., phosphorus oxides, hydrogen chloride, brominated vapors) at decomposition/extreme heat
Polymerization: No risk of hazardous polymerization under recommended use

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 and dermal LD50 values for main compounds typically moderate (e.g., TCEP oral LD50 in rats: 1,000–1,500 mg/kg), inhalation tox data shows coughing/irritation at higher concentrations
Skin Symptoms: Redness, itching, possible mild rash after longer exposure, rare allergic reaction
Eye Symptoms: Stinging, redness, watery discharge, temporary blurred vision
Chronic Effects: Some components, like antimony trioxide, may be suspected carcinogens (IARC Group 2B), TCEP flagged for reproductive and developmental toxicity
Inhalation Effects: Prolonged inhalation may irritate respiratory tract, cause cough, headache, or even dizziness at high dust
Sensitization: No clear evidence of sensitizing effect found in typical exposure
Mutagenicity: Ongoing regulatory scrutiny over some flame retardants, mixed results in various studies

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, can cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments
Mobility in Soil: Moderate to high for some ingredients, limited for others—dependent on environmental conditions
Persistence and Degradability: Some compounds degrade slowly, may persist in environment, especially in sediment
Bioaccumulation: Long-term buildup possible in aquatic organisms (brominated compounds)
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 values (fish): moderate to high hazard, EC50 (daphnia/microorganisms): effect at low ppm
Other Adverse Effects: Water management should aim to keep chemical from hitting open water sources or municipal treatment systems

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Treat all residues as hazardous waste—collect and contain, deliver to licensed chemical waste processor
Packaging Disposal: Decontaminate and recycle or treat as hazardous depending on local practice
Incineration: Permitted only in plants with specialized emission controls for halogenated and heavy-metal smoke
Disposal Restrictions: Landfill only where leachate capture and environmental controls exist, never flush into drains or surface water
Regulatory Guidance: Local, state, national guidelines (EPA, EU Directive, etc.) apply
Advice for Users: Keep records of quantities and transfer certificates for traceability

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods for many forms, check each batch and compositional adjustment
Transport Class: 9 (Miscellaneous hazardous) or non-hazardous—depends on regional classification
Packing Group: Usually III—minimal risk in bulk form, but labeling required
Hazard Label: Environmental hazard or health hazard icons as designated
Proper Shipping Name: Flame Retardant Additive, solid or “Not Otherwise Specified” if not otherwise classified
Special Precautions: Keep away from strong oxidizers, acids, avoid water or moisture contact during transit, secure packaging to prevent dust release
Bulk Transport: Conforms to IMDG and ADR protocols, sealed containers preferred
Marine Pollutant: Labeled for aquatic environmental hazard if applicable

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Classified under Hazard Communication Standard; SDS available to all users
TSCA Status: All listed components checked for Toxic Substances Control Act inclusion
SARA Title III: Components may trigger reporting requirements under Section 313 (e.g., antimony trioxide)
REACH Registration: Some ingredients fully registered and pre-registered under European REACH regulations
Other Regulations: Complies with Canadian WHMIS, EU Classification/Labelling, GHS aligned for global supply
Labeling Requirements: Hazard pictograms, signal word, detailed first aid and storage guidance on each container
Restrictions: Certain brominated and organophosphate retardants listed under RoHS, candidate for phase-out/replacement in some sectors
Environmental Restrictions: Use limited near protected waterways or where food-contact material rules apply