Material Safety Data Sheet
Date Prepared: January 1, 2007
1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY INFORMATION
Chemical Product Identification / Product Name
Falcon Foam Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
Manufacturer Information
Falcon Foam, Division of Atlas Roofing Corporation
8240 Byron Center Road
Byron Center, Michigan 49315
Telephone: 800-917-9138 (8am ?5pm EST weekdays)
Emergency Telephone
CHEMTREC (24 hours everyday): 800-424-9300
2. COMPOSITION AND INGREDIENT INFORMATION
Common Name Chemical Name CAS No. Wt. %
Polystyrene Foam Ethenylbenzene homopolymer 9003-53-6 95-100%
Pentanes* (isomers) n-pentane 109-66-0 5%
Isopentane 78-78-4
Cyclopentane 287-92-3
Styrene (residual) Vinyl Benzene 100-42-5 0 ?0.1%
*This is a flammable blowing agent that off-gasses from product. Most of the pentane off-gasses prior to shipment.
However, residual blowing agent may gradually off-gas from the foam during storage or use.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Overview
No unusual conditions are expected from this product after it is aged. Freshly expanded or heated foam may
off-gas pentane which can accumulate at hazardous concentrations above the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) if
stored in closed containers or confined areas. To prevent ignition, avoid smoking, keep from open flames and
high temperatures. If heated above decomposition temperature or burned, product can emit an irritating dense
black smoke and acid gases. Grinding, sawing or fabrication activities can produce dust particles which under
certain conditions may ignite or form explosive dust atmospheres.
Appearance and Odor
White or gray solid blocks, sheets, panels or forms with slight hydrocarbon odor.
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 1 of 6
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION (Continued)
Emergency Overview Degree of Hazard
Health Fire Reactivity 0 ?Minimal (Insignificant)
NFPA Rating: 1 2* 0 1 ?Slight (Minor)
HMIS Rating: 1 2* 0 2 ?Moderate
3 ?Serious (High)
4 ?Severe (Extreme)
Potential Health Effects
Summary: Inhalation or eye exposure to dust from this product may cause temporary irritation. Skin exposure
to the product may cause mechanical irritation, cuts or punctures.
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, and ingestion.
Acute Inhalation: Breathing dust may cause temporary mechanical irritation and coughing. Overexposure to
extremely high concentrations of pentane can cause narcotic effects. Signs and symptoms of
overexposure to pentane include headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty walking or sleepiness.
Chronic Inhalation: None identified.
Acute Skin Contact: Direct contact with rough cut foam can cause mechanical abrasion to exposed skin.
Chronic Skin Contact: None identified.
Acute Eye Contact: Eye contact may cause mild mechanical irritation, redness, tearing and blurred vision.
Chronic Eye Contact: None identified.
Acute Ingestion: Ingestion of this material is unlikely if used as intended. However, ingestion of this product
may produce gastrointestinal irritation and disturbances.
Chronic Ingestion: None identified.
Carcinogenicity:
Styrene monomer
ACGIH: A4 ?Not classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
IARC: 2B ?Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans (Vol. 60, 1994)
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure: Treat symptomatically. Specific data that address medical
conditions that are generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure to this product are not
available. However, chronic respiratory or eye conditions may worsen from exposure to these
products.
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
Skin: Wash with mild soap and running water. Remove and launder contaminated clothing before reuse. If
irritation develops, seek medical attention.
Eyes: Flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Ingestion: Ingestion of this material is unlikely. If it does occur, do not induce vomiting; seek medical
attention.
Fire: Move to fresh air. Administer oxygen and seek medical attention.
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 2 of 6
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Flash Point and Method: Not applicable
Upper Flammable Limit (UFL): Not applicable
Lower Flammable Limit (LFL): Not applicable
Auto Ignition: 880?F (ASTM D-1929) for expanded polystyrene
Extinguishing Method: Use water spray, water fog, fire-fighting foam or dry chemical or C0_ extinguishing
media.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Pentane vapors may be emitted from freshly expanded or processed
foam or when product is heated. Hazardous concentrations may accumulate inside a sealed container
or within confined space areas. Electrostatic discharge can be a source of ignition of accumulated
pentane vapors exceeding the L.E.L (lower explosion limit) of 1.5% (15,000 ppm). If ignited, there
may be a very high rate of flame propagation and/or an associated explosion. Assure proper
ventilation of storage or shipping containers to prevent accumulation of hazardous concentrations of
off-gassed pentane.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Burning foam emits a dense, black, irritating smoke with acid gases.
Primary combustion products are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and styrene. Other undetermined
hydrocarbon fraction could be released in small quantities.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Land Spill: Scoop up material and put into suitable container for recycling or disposal as a non-hazardous
waste in an appropriate recycling or disposal facility.
Water Spill: This material will float and disperse with wind and current. Contain the material with brooms,
pick up or remove with a vacuum truck.
Air Release: This material will settle out of the air. If concentrated on land, it can then be scooped up for
recycling or disposal as a non-hazardous waste.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Storage Temperature: Below 170?F. Storage Pressure: Not applicable.
General Storage: Store in a well-ventilated area. Assure storage containers or areas and shipping containers
are adequately ventilated. The flammable vapors of pentane (blowing agent) are heavier than air and
may accumulate in low places. "No Smoking ?No Matches ?No Lighters ?No Welding" rules
should be enforced.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROL / PERSONAL PROTECTION
Work Practices and Engineering Controls: Avoid unnecessary dust exposures when cutting or abrading by
using adequate local exhaust or general ventilation. General dilution ventilation and/or local exhaust
ventilation should be provided as necessary to maintain exposures below occupational exposure limits
and to prevent accumulation of hazardous concentrations of off-gassed pentane (see section 5).
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 3 of 6
8. EXPOSURE CONTROL / PERSONAL PROTECTION (Continued)
Personal Protective Equipment:
Eye: Safety glasses or goggles may be worn to reduce the risk of eye injury or irritation.
Respirators: Respiratory protection is not normally required. If dusts are generated up to 10 times above
occupational exposure limits, use a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator (disposable filtering
dust mask type) with an efficiency rating of N95 or higher (e.g. 3M's 8210, Moldex 2300). Wear
an air-purifying respirator with charcoal cartridges or a supplied air respirator when exposure to
pentane exceeds exposure limits.
Skin: Gloves, long sleeved shirt and long pants may be worn, as needed, to prevent skin contact and
irritation.
Other: None.
INGREDIENT OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV NIOSH REL
Expanded Polystyrene
PNOC:
Inhalable - 10 mg/m3 -
Respirable 5 mg/m3 3mg/m3 -
Total Particulate 15 mg/m3
Pentanes
Pentane 1000 ppm 600 ppm 120 ppm
610 (Ceiling)
Cyclopentane - 600 ppm 600ppm
Styrene 100 ppm 20 ppm 50 ppm
200 ppm (Ceiling) 40 ppm (STEL) 100 ppm (STEL)
600 ppm (5 minute peak)
Additional Information: The products listed in this MSDS do not contain any form of Asbestos.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL
Appearance: White or gray solid blocks, sheets, panels or forms
Vapor Density (Air=1): Not applicable (Pentane blowing agent ?2.5)
Physical State: Solid pH: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg @ 20 o C): 400 mm Hg Boiling Point: Not applicable
Odor: Slight hydrocarbon odor Viscosity: Not applicable
Specific Gravity (Water=1): 1.05 to 1.18 Freezing Point: Not applicable
Solubility in Water: Very slight Melting Point: Not determined
10. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
This material is not expected to cause harm to animals, plants or fish. Fish or animals may eat product and
obstruct their digestive tract. It is not expected to harm ecosystems through its applied use.
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 4 of 6
11. REACTIVITY
General: This is a stable material; avoid sources of ignition.
Incompatible Materials and Conditions to Avoid: Reactive with oxidizing agents. Organic solvents, esters,
amine and aldehydes will dissolve product. High temperature, poor ventilation combined with freshly
expanded product may create hazardous, explosive or fire conditions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May decompose in a fire. See Section 5 of MSDS for combustion
products statement.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
12. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
This product has not been tested as a separate entity. Therefore, the hazards must be evaluated on the basis of
the individual ingredients, and those hazards must be assumed to be additive in the absence of complete
information. The hazards described in this document have been evaluated on a threshold of 1.0% for all
hazardous ingredients and 0.1% for all carcinogens.
Acute Effects: Acute health effects from this product are unlikely when used as intended.
Chronic Effects: Chronic health effects from this product are unlikely when used as intended.
Styrene Monomer
In March 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified styrene as possibly
carcinogenic to human (Group 2B) due to "inadequate evidence in humans", "limited evidence in animals" and
"other relevant data". Previously, styrene was classified as a Group 3 compound (not classified as to
carcinogenicity to humans). The IARC working group determined that the weight of data on genetic and related
effects, together with the consideration that styrene metabolized in humans and animals to styrene oxide for
which there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and has been classified by IARC
as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), was sufficient reason to recommend the change in
classification.
13. WASTE DISPOSAL CONSIDERATONS
RCRA Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
Waste Disposal: Incinerate, recycle or dispose in a licensed facility. Do not discharge into waterways or sewer
systems without proper authority.
14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
US DOT Information: For domestic transportation purposes, this product is not regulated as a hazardous
material by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 5 of 6
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
Clean Air Act
This product contains styrene, which is listed as a hazardous air pollutant
SARA Title III Regulations
This product contains pentane and residual styrene monomer, which OSHA defines as a hazardous chemical.
This product may be portable under SARA sections 311 and 312, depending on the maximum on-site storage
volumes. This product does not contain any substance(s) subject to the reporting requirements (i.e., at or above
de minimis quantities) of sections 302 and 304 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act (SARA-40 CFR 355). This product does not contain any substance(s) subject to reporting requirements
(i.e., at or above de minimis quantities) of sections 302 and 304 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA-40 CFR 372).
Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
All ingredients are listed on the TSCA inventory.
California Proposition 65
This material contains detectable amounts of some chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer.
Styrene oxide is listed as known to the State of California to cause cancer. Styrene oxide is a metabolite of
styrene monomer.
Component Analysis: State
The following components appear on one or more of the following state hazardous substance lists:
Component CAS # CA MA MI MN NJ PA
Pentane (Isomers) 109-66-0
78-78-4 a a a a a
287-92-3
Styrene 100-42-5 a a a a a a
Component Analysis: WHMIS IDL
The following components appear on one or more of the following state hazardous substance lists:
Component CAS # Minimum Concentration
Pentane (Isomers) 109-66-0
78-78-4 1% English Item 1243; French Item 1348
287-92-3
Styrene 100-42-5 0.1% English Item 1473; French Item 1508
16. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Other Information
Reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this information, but the manufacturer makes no warranty
of merchantability or any other warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to this information. The
manufacturer makes no representations and assumes no liability for any direct, incidental or consequential
damages resulting from its use.
Original Date: November 11, 1998; Revised: March 24, 2000; January 1, 2007 6 of 6
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