Product Name: Polyethylene Flame Retardant Masterbatch
Trade Name: PE FR Masterbatch
Recommended Use: Used for imparting flame retardancy in polyethylene products
Manufacturer: List the company and contact details
Emergency Contact: 24-hour emergency phone number provided
Synonyms: Polyethylene FR Concentrate, PE Fire Retarder Compound
Chemical Formula: Proprietary blend (consisting mainly of polyethylene and halogenated or non-halogenated flame retardants)
Relevant Uses: Wire and cable jacketing, film extrusion, injection-molded goods in electrical and construction sectors
Hazard Classification: Classified as non-hazardous in solid pellet form, but dust or fumes from processing can cause respiratory irritation
Warning Symbols: Dust cloud and respiratory irritation (may use a warning exclamation pictogram)
GHS Signal Word: Caution
Hazard Statements: Possible eye, skin, and respiratory irritant if dust or fumes are generated during handling or fabrication
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes; avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact
Physical Hazards: Can catch fire at elevated temperatures
Environmental Hazards: Components may be persistent if released in large quantities to environments lacking regular clean-up
Polyethylene resin: 50%–90%
Flame retardant additives (halogenated or phosphorus based): 5%–45%
Antioxidants and processing aids: 0.5%–2%
Other possible ingredients: Talc, calcium carbonate, compatibilizers (<1%)
Chemical identities: Specific CAS numbers often withheld for proprietary reasons; common flame retardants include decabromodiphenyl ethane, melamine polyphosphate, or aluminum trihydrate
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Persistent irritation suggests seeing a healthcare professional
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water. Molten material can cause thermal burns—cool the area. Do not attempt to remove cooled, fused plastic from skin yourself
Inhalation: Move to fresh air if irritation occurs from dust or fumes. Seek medical attention for unusual breathing difficulty after exposure in poorly ventilated space
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth; give water if the person is conscious. Not expected to pose a health risk when swallowed in solid form, but medical advice should be sought for any persistent symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or water spray
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use direct water jets on burning material as burning molten plastic may spread
Specific Hazards: Burns release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and possibly hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride, or phosphorous-containing smoke depending on flame retardant used
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus; move containers away from fire area if safe
Special Procedures: Cool endangered containers with water spray to prevent explosion from heat expansion
Personal Precautions: Wear suitable gloves and goggles to avoid dust or residual flame retardant residue
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharge of pellets and dust into drains or waterways. Sweep up spilled pellets to prevent animal ingestion and environmental build-up
Methods for Cleaning Up: Gather spilled pellets and dust using broom or industrial vacuum. Store clean-up material in labeled waste container for proper disposal
Reference to Other Sections: See Section 8 for personal protective equipment and Section 13 for disposal
Safe Handling: Use mechanical ventilation in processing areas where dust or fumes are generated. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking around material. Wash hands after handling
Protection Against Fire and Explosion: Keep away from ignition sources especially in unventilated processing rooms
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, away from sunlight and direct heat. Use original unopened containers where possible
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers, acids, and bases may react with certain flame retardants or plastic components
Specific Use Notes: Lifting heavy bags or containers requires proper posture or mechanical aids, and storage areas should be pest- and moisture-free
Occupational Exposure Limits: Flame retardant additives sometimes have ACGIH or manufacturer-specified limits (e.g., for brominated or organophosphorus compounds)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation around extrusion, molding, or grinding stations
Personal Protection: Safety glasses with side shields, impervious gloves, and dust masks or NIOSH-approved respirator when dust/fume levels are above limits
Hygienic Practices: Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Keep food and beverages out of processing areas
Environmental Protection: Filters and containment for pellet dust in air exhausts help keep work environment safe
Appearance: Opaque or translucent pellets or granules, color determined by formulation
Odor: Slight paraffin odor typical of polyethylene, may notice mild chemical note if flame retardant is halogenated
Melting Point: 110–130°C depending on polyethylene grade
Density: 0.92–1.8 g/cm³
Solubility: Insoluble in water, generally unaffected by most common solvents
Flash Point: >350°C (will not ignite easily under normal conditions)
Decomposition Temperature: 250–400°C; smoke and fumes released above these temperatures
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and handling
Reactive Conditions: Temperatures above 250°C may trigger decomposition and release of hazardous fumes
Hazardous Reactions: Exposure to strong oxidizing agents can start unwanted reactions or degrade the flame retardant additives
Breakdown Products: May generate carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, or phosphorous gases from breakdown of the flame retardant
Incompatibilities: Do not mix with strong acids, peroxides, or alkalis
Acute Effects: Dust or fumes might cause throat, nose, and eye irritation. Skin contact normally harmless but melted material can burn
Chronic Exposure: Long-term exposure to certain flame retardant additives has raised concerns about reproductive or neurological risks—occupational guidelines exist for some types, especially halogenated compounds
Ingestion: Not expected to cause acute health effects—large volumes may block digestion
Carcinogenicity: Polyethylene resin not listed as carcinogenic; some older flame retardants may have carcinogen classification, but most modern formulations phase these out
Sensitization: Unlikely, though frequent exposure to additives may sensitize susceptible individuals
Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity: Insufficient evidence for most common formulations; avoid unnecessary exposure pending detailed long-term studies
Aquatic Toxicity: Solid resin and most additives have low water solubility, but chronic buildup of microplastics and persistent flame retardants affects aquatic organisms and water quality
Bioaccumulation: Persistent types of halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants may have a tendency to bioaccumulate in some environmental conditions
Environmental Fate: Polyethylene does not rapidly degrade; pellets sink or float and remain in the environment for decades if not collected
Mobility: Solid pellets unlikely to migrate in soil, but micro-sized dusts can spread more easily and reach drainage systems
Further Effects: Unmanaged waste can harm wildlife through ingestion or entanglement, so spill management is important
Waste Handling: Recycle where infrastructure exists; otherwise, dispose of via landfill or approved incineration facility that complies with local, national, and international regulations
Precautions: Avoid burning in open air or at insufficiently controlled facilities due to toxic gas risks
Packaging Disposal: Clean or well-emptied packaging can enter normal plastic recycling if accepted; otherwise, treat as industrial waste
Environmental Recommendations: Never discharge pellets or clean-up waste into drains, surface water, or soil
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for road, sea, or air transport
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous for transportation purposes under ADR, IMDG, IATA guidelines
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Use secure containers to prevent leakage or release of pellets during shipping
Transport Labels: No special labels required; keep product documentation and data sheet available for emergency use
Applicable Regulations: Conforms with REACH and TSCA registration requirements if supplied in the EU or United States
Hazard Communication: Safety labeling based on local legislation such as OSHA Hazard Communication Standard or EU CLP Regulation
Restrictions: Certain flame retardant formulations banned or restricted in some countries (e.g., persistent halogenated types), so product composition affects export/import
Other Notes: Review local worker safety and environmental regulations; product may be subject to voluntary sustainability programs (such as RoHS, WEEE, or specific retailer standards)
