Material Safety Data Sheet for Red Phosphorus Masterbatch for Polypropylene

Identification

Product Name: Red Phosphorus Masterbatch for Polypropylene
Product Code: RPPM-XX (replace XX with grade if needed)
Intended Use: Flame retardant additive for polypropylene applications
Manufacturer: [Your Manufacturer Name & Address]
Contact for Emergency Information: [Emergency Phone Number & Contact Person]
Synonyms: Red P masterbatch, Phosphorus-polypropylene pellet mix, RP flame-retardant MB
Recommended Restrictions: Industrial and commercial processing, not for direct consumer use

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Flammable solids (Category 2), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure, Category 3)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: May ignite at temperatures above 260°C, causes skin and eye irritation, dust may cause respiratory discomfort or even short-term dizziness if large quantities get in the air
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, wear gloves/protective eyewear when working with loose material or during maintenance
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
Potential Health Effects: Irritation to eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract; prolonged exposure may increase risk of lung damage

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Mixture
Polypropylene Resin: 60 – 85%
Red Phosphorus: 10 – 38% (CAS No. 7723-14-0)
Stabilizers and Compatibilizers: 1 – 5% (proprietary, typically antimony oxide, magnesium carbonate, or similar)
Colorants: <1% (optional, may include titanium dioxide or pigment black)
Impurities: Arsenic, lead, sulfur (usually present in trace amounts below 0.1%)
Other Additives: Processing aids, antioxidants, detailed composition available upon request or if required by local regulation

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, support breathing; if coughing or trouble breathing persists, get medical attention quickly
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water; use ointment if irritation develops—do not use solvents
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with clean water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present; seek an eye specialist for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink plenty of water, never induce vomiting; consult a physician as soon as possible, especially if evident discomfort or nausea
Advice for Doctor: Treat symptomatically, monitor for signs of phosphorus poisoning (rare but possible after inhalation of large amounts)

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, sand, CO2 fire extinguisher; avoid using water since it can react with hot phosphorus
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jets, foam
Special Hazards: Combustion liberates toxic phosphorus oxides, dense smoke, hydrocarbons (from melted plastic matrix); dust may form explosive mixtures in air
Protective Equipment: Full protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus; consider risk of re-ignition from smoldering residues
Additional Advice: Move containers away from fire area, isolate hazard zone, suppress dust release, cool surrounding surfaces exposed to fire

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Respirator for powder, gloves, goggles; avoid skin contact and breathing dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spilled material from entering sewers, watercourses, soil
Methods for Cleanup: Sweep up spilled pellets or powder using non-sparking tools, collect in a dedicated container for reuse or disposal; ventilate area well if fine powder
Waste Disposal: Dispose of collected material according to local regulations; do not flush to drains or allow significant material to remain exposed outdoors
Decontamination: Wash affected area thoroughly with water and detergent after cleanup; check all tools and protective equipment before reuse
Reporting: Notify appropriate authorities if a large release could affect the environment or workplace safety

Handling and Storage

Handling: Work in well-ventilated area, use spark-proof tools, ground all equipment to prevent static discharge; avoid dust buildup
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, keep work clothes separate from regular clothing, avoid eating or drinking nearby
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, away from heat sources, open flames, and strong oxidizers
Temperature Range: Keep below 40°C for long-term stability, do not store close to melting equipment
Storage Incompatibilities: Keep away from chlorinated compounds, acids, and oxidizing agents
Packing Materials: Use original packaging or non-reactive, fire-resistant containers; label clearly with hazard warnings
Storage Environment: Dry, shaded, properly ventilated warehouse

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Measures: Local exhaust ventilation, dust control systems, explosion-proof equipment where dust or powder may be present
Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask or respirator (preferably P3 class), chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or PVC), safety goggles or face shield, flame-resistant clothing or apron
Exposure Limits: Red phosphorus: OSHA PEL 0.1 mg/m³ (respirable); Polypropylene: none set except nuisance dust limits (OSHA 15 mg/m³ total dust)
Monitoring: Regular workplace dust level checks, air sampling for staff exposure
Sanitary Measures: No food or drink in work zone, washing facilities available, emergency eyewash station
Environmental Controls: Filtration on exhausts, periodic checks for spill or leak risks

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Deep red or reddish-brown granules/pellets
Odor: Mostly odorless or faintly plastic smell
pH: Not applicable for solid
Melting Point/Range: Polypropylene melts around 160–170°C; red phosphorus sublimes above 300°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Estimated above 260°C
Explosive Properties: Dust can form explosive atmospheres when airborne and mixed with air
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, disperses with heat in molten polymer
Density: 1.1 – 1.6 g/cm³ depending on the masterbatch grade
Thermal Decomposition: Starts above 280°C with release of phosphorus oxides and potentially some hydrocarbons

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under ambient temperatures and proper storage
Reactivity: Reacts strongly with strong oxidizers, chlorinated chemicals, acids; ignition risk with friction or static discharge
Hazardous Polymerization: Not expected under normal processing conditions
Decomposition Products: Phosphorus oxides, trace phosphine gas, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, flames, sparks, direct sunlight, excessive humidity
Incompatible Materials: Chlorine, strong acids, strong oxidizers, peroxide compounds

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Dust may cause temporary irritation of eyes, skin, and lungs; ingestion of large amounts could lead to phosphorus poisoning symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness)
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure to high levels of dust may damage liver, kidneys, or lungs, but risks are much lower due to masterbatch encapsulation
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes mild to moderate irritation especially if dust settles on moist skin
Eye Damage/Irritation: Risk of conjunctivitis after exposure to dust
Respiratory Sensitization: Possible after repeated exposure but not common unless airborne dust is present
Carcinogenicity: Components are not classified as known carcinogens per IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence in supplied form
Target Organs: Lungs (by inhalation), skin, eyes

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Encapsulated masterbatch unlikely to dissolve but red phosphorus component harmful to aquatic organisms if released in pure form
Persistence and Degradability: Polypropylene does not biodegrade readily, red phosphorus persists as solid in soil and sediment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low due to insolubility and encapsulation, but small particles can be ingested by aquatic species if not contained
Mobility in Soil: Low as solid pellets/granules, higher risk if powder reaches watercourses
Other Adverse Effects: Potential to disrupt natural phosphorus balance in waterways if accidentally released in significant quantity
Environmental Precautions: Keep away from drains, soil, water bodies; maintain closed systems to avoid contamination

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Collect and dispose at a licensed hazardous waste facility, preferably through incineration with proper flue gas treatment
Disposal of Packaging: Empty containers can be recycled if thoroughly cleaned; otherwise, treat packaging as hazardous waste
Additional Notes: Never dump on open ground, avoid burning in open air, avoid mixing with domestic or non-industrial waste streams
European Waste Code: 07 02 08 (waste from manufacture of plastics, containing dangerous substances), may vary per jurisdiction
Special Precautions: Staff handling waste should use PPE; document all disposal per local regulations and provide evidence to regulatory bodies if required

Transport Information

UN Number: 1338
Proper Shipping Name: Red phosphorus, stabilized, mixture, masterbatch form
Transport Hazard Class: 4.1 (Flammable Solids)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Flammable solid
Special Precautions for User: Keep containers upright, avoid impact or friction, no smoking near packages
Marine Pollutant: Not listed, but accidental release should still be reported
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant but exercise care around water
Additional Shipping Info: Emergency contact information required on shipping papers, do not ship with foodstuffs or strong oxidizers

Regulatory Information

US EPA TSCA: Components listed
EU REACH: Pre-registered or registered for use as industrial additive
OSHA Hazard Communication: Covered as hazardous material due to flammable and irritant properties
WHMIS (Canada): Class B4 (Flammable solid), D2B (Toxic material causing other toxic effects)
GHS Compliance: Yes, includes classification, labelling, and safety information
Other International Standards: Meets requirements for ADR, RID, IMDG, IATA for transport; check region-specific restrictions for phosphorus compounds
Restrictions: Professional users only, not for consumer DIY use; distributor and end user must maintain records of safe handling and incidents