File No: NA/247
Date: 29 May 1995
NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS NOTIFICATION
AND ASSESSMENT SCHEME
FULL PUBLIC REPORT
ACR-1720A POLYMER
This Assessment has been compiled in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial
Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989, and Regulations. This legislation is
an Act of the Commonwealth of Australia. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification
and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) is administered by Worksafe Australia which also
conducts the occupational health & safety assessment. The assessment of
environmental hazard is conducted by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and
Territories and the assessment of public health is conducted by the Department of
Human Services and Health.
For the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Act, copies of this full public report may be
inspected by the public at the Library, Worksafe Australia, 92-94 Parramatta Road,
Camperdown NSW 2050, between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon and 2.00
p.m. and 4.00 p.m. each week day except on public holidays.
For Enquiries please contact the Administration Coordinator at:
Street Address: 92 Parramatta Rd Camperdown, NSW 2050, AUSTRALIA
Postal Address: GPO Box 58, Sydney 2001, AUSTRALIA
Telephone: (61) (02) 565-9466 FAX (61) (02) 565-9465
Director
Chemicals Notification and Assessment
NA/247
FULL PUBLIC REPORT
ACR-1720A POLYMER
1. APPLICANT
Courtaulds (Australia) Pty Ltd of 51 McIntyre Rd, Sunshine, Vic 3020 has submitted a
limited notification for assessment of ACR-1720A Polymer.
2. IDENTITY OF THE CHEMICAL
ACR-1720A polymer is not considered to be hazardous based on the nature of the
chemical and the data provided. Therefore the chemical name, CAS number, molecular
and structural formulae, and specific end use have been exempted from publication in
the Full Public Report and the Summary Report
Other name: ACR-1720A polymer
Trade name:As the polymer will not be marketed but will only be used as an intermediate
in the manufacture of industrial coatings, no trade name has been
assigned to it.
Number-average molecular weight: 13092
Weight-average molecular weight: 39325
Maximum percentage of low
molecular weight species
(molecular weight < 1000): 0.1%
Method of detection and determination:
Infrared spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; pyrolysis GC/MS and
gel permeation chromatography
3. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
The polymer will be imported as a 30-60% (w/w) solution in 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 1-
ethoxy-2-propanol. The solvents are 95% removed by vacuum distillation prior to
formulation of the polymer into an aqueous emulsion. The polymer itself is never
isolated. As a result there is limited information regarding the polymer's physico-
chemical properties.
Appearance at 20癈 and 101.3 kPa: viscous, clear light yellow to amber liquid (solvent
solution)
Odour: the solvent solution has a odour characteistic of
the solvent and residual monomers
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Melting Point/Boiling Point: the polymer softens and flows over a wide
temperature range and is known to decompose
before boiling
1180 kg/m3 at 25癈 (ACR-1720A Polymer)
Density:
Vapour Pressure: polymer itself is a solid
Water Solubility: predicted to be insoluble on the basis of
composition and structure
Flash Point: not applicable
Flammability Limits: not flammable
Decomposition Temperature: above about 300癈 the polymer will begin to
thermally degrade possibly yielding acrid vapours
Reactivity/Stability: under normal ambient conditions, the polymer
and products containing it are considered to be
stable. ACR-1720A, the solvent-containing
polymer solution is acidic and will react with
alkalis and metals. The water-containing
intermediate formulations and paint formulations
will react with strong alkalis, strong mineral acids
and oxidising agents.
Comments on Physico-Chemical Properties
As the backbone and many of the side chains of the polymer are hydrophobic, high water
insolubility is expected.
Hydrolysis details cannot be provided due to the low solubility of the polymer. The
polymer contains a number of ester groups which are not expected to hydrolyse under
environmental conditions.
Partition coefficient could not be measured due to the low water solubility of the polymer.
Adsorption desorption has not been measured but due to the high molecular weight the
mobility of the polymer is expected to be low.
The polymer contains a small amount of carboxylic acid groups expected to have typical
acidity.
4. PURITY OF THE CHEMICAL
Degree of purity: > 99%
Toxic impurities: all toxic impurities are at levels < 0.5% and are, therefore, not
expected to render the polymer hazardous
Non-toxic impurities
(> 1% by weight): none
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 3
Maximum content of
residual monomers: 0.99%
Additives/Adjuvants: none remaining in the notified polymer
The imported formulation contains the following solvents:
. Chemical name: propylene glycol, monomethyl ether
Synonym: 1-methoxy-2-propanol
CAS No.: 107-98-2
Weight percentage: 30-60%
. Chemical name: propylene glycol, monoethyl ether
Synonym: 1-ethoxy-2-propanol
CAS No.: 1569-02-4
Weight percentage: 10-30%
Following distillation and mixing with water to produce an intermediate to be used as a
component in finished coating products, the following additives are present in addition to
the notified polymer:
. Chemical name: water
CAS No.: 7732-18-5
Weight percentage: >60%
. Chemical name: propylene glycol, monoethyl ether
Synonym: 1-ethoxy-2-propanol
CAS No.: 1569-02-4
Weight percentage: 2-10%
5. INDUSTRIAL USE
The notified polymer is to be used as a film-forming polymer for industrial coatings.
6. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
The notified polymer will be imported in 200 L drums as a 30-60% (w/w) solvent solution
at a rate of 1-10 tonnes in the first year rising to 10 tonnes per year by the fifth year.
The imported polymer solution is charged to a closed reactor vessel via a pipeline under
vacuum. Distillation at 100癈 under vacuum removes 95% of the solvent following which
the polymer formulation is neutralised by mixing in a neutralising agent. Water is added
as a diluent to produce an intermediate polymer formulation which is used to formulate
final coating products. The intermediate formulation contains < 25% of the notified
polymer and is transferred from the reactor to 200 L drums for storage. The reactor
vessel is cleaned with solvent which is then transferred to a solvent recovery unit for
cleaning and recycling.
When required the water-based intermediate formulation is charged to an enclosed
reactor vessel for formulation into a water-based paint. The final concentration of the
notified polymer in the paint is < 10% (w/w). Following mixing, the paint is filtered during
transfer to 200 L drums prior to transport to the user's site at which the paint is pumped
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 4
into an enclosed temperature-controlled vessel. Application of the paint is accomplished
using a self-contained extracted spray booth. Likely levels of exposure are displayed in
table 1.
Table 1 Worker exposure to ACR-1720A Polymer during formulation and use
Workers Nature of Exposure Exposure Physical Form
(number and Work (hrs/ day) (days/yr)
category)
REFORMULATION
reactor . charging 4 2-5 . hot acrylic resin
operators . sampling . ambient
(30 - max) . testing water-based
intermediate
paint plant . blending of 4 5-10 ambient water-
operators paint based
(30 - max) . collection of intermediate, paint
QC formulations
samples
maintenance . breakdown 1 2-3 ambient water-
personnel (2) . repair based
intermediate
laboratory . testing of 4 5-10 formulations
technicians/ QC containing the
chemists/ samples notified polymer
development . trouble-
personnel shooting
(20) . product
development
APPLICATION
210
application/ operation of system paint formulations
curing paint fully
operators (20 application automated
- max) and curing so little
process exposure
anticipated
Maintenance repair and 1-2 (but 14 paint formulations
personnel (2) clean variable), (system
transfer system cleaned
lines, automated once per
pumps, year)
mixers etc.
1 210
laboratory testing of QC paint formulations
technicians/ samples,
chemists (5) trouble-
shooting
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 5
7. PUBLIC EXPOSURE
The potential for public exposure to the notified polymer is expected to be low. The
polymer will be a small component (< 10% w/w in the final paint product) of paint
products which will be used only in industrial applications. Reformulation of the polymer
is expected to take place at one industrial site and the final paint products are expected to
be used at a single industrial site. Furthermore, heat curing cross-links the polymer into
the paint film rendering it effectively inert.
In the case of accidental spillage during transport the public may be exposed to the
notified polymer. This is minimised by the recommended practices for storage and
transportation. Emergency procedures for the containment and clean up of accidental
spills are available and should be followed.
8. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
. Release
The notifier has identified several parts of the handling, formulation and application
process where release to the environment could occur.
Releases to the environment will be limited to those that occur during formulation and
when the paint containing the polymer is applied. Waste generated during formulation is
sent to landfill or incinerated and is expected to be less than 20 kg per month. If a spill
occurs during formulation it will be limited to an on-site sealed surface (in most cases
bunded) and cleaned up according to the MSDS.
The polymer is expected to be used by only one manufacturer and applied in a spray
booth. The spray booth is an extracted self-contained unit with a water curtain and uses
recycled water. The water from the spray booth is treated by flocculation, which will
remove most of the waste paint, with the 'clean' water returned to the spray booth. Solid
residue from the flotation tanks, expected to be less than 250 kg per month (30%
overspray), will be disposed of by landfill or incinerated.
The painted articles are baked to cure the polymer into a paint film. The cured polymer
will be effectively inert and be disposed of with the articles. Releases of the cured
polymer from the coated articles will be diffuse and limited to small quantities of the
cured polymer.
During transport risk of environmental release is limited to accidents where the drums
containing the polymer are ruptured.
. Fate
As ACR-1760A is a polymer with low water solubility, leaching from landfill sites is not
expected. Incineration of the notified substance is expected to produce water and oxides
of carbon and nitrogen.
The majority of the notified polymer is not expected to be released to the environment
until it has been fully cured into a solid polymer matrix. The resultant matrix structure
should limit the hydrolysis or biodegradation of the polymer. Bioaccumulation of the
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 6
polymer is unlikely due to the high molecular weight (13 000) of the polymer even before
curing.
9. EVALUATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL DATA
Toxicological data are not required for polymers of number-average molecular weight
(NAMW) > 1000 according to the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act,
1989 and no data were submitted for the notified polymer.
10. ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
No ecotoxicological data were provided, which is acceptable for polymers of NAMW
> 1000 according to the Act.
11. ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD
The polymer is unlikely to present a hazard to the environment at any stage of its use or
disposal. Of the original quantity of polymer emulsion imported it is expected that most
will not be released from the processing/application sites until it has been cured onto the
article. The ultimate fate of all cured polymer is not known but most likely the majority will
be disposed of by landfill. Leaching of the cured polymer from landfill is not expected due
to the chemical and physical bonding which occurs during the surface coating process.
Any cured polymer that may be removed from the coated articles will be inert and diffused
over a wide area.
Any uncured polymer waste generated during formulation/application will be disposed of
by landfill or incineration and is expected to be a maximum of 270 kg per month. This
uncured polymer is not expected to pose an environmental hazard.
12. ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
EFFECTS
The notified polymer has a NAMW > 1000 and therefore is unlikely to be able to cross
biological membranes and cause adverse effects on health. The low levels of low
molecular weight species (0.1%) and residual monomers (0.99%) are unlikely to render
the polymer hazardous (2).
Worker exposure during paint formulation and application is minimised by isolation of the
processes in fixed areas of the manufacturer's and applicator's sites. Various
processes employed in paint manufacture are conducted under local exhaust ventilation
such as reaction vessel charging, sampling, laboratory testing and drum filling. In
addition, transfers to and from the reaction vessel are conducted using enclosed lines so
that exposure to the notified polymer is expected to be low. Furthermore, workers are
expected to be exposed for a maximum of 4 hours per day, 10 days per year. During paint
application, exposure is also expected to be low since the process is fully automated and
enclosed and the concentration of polymer in the paint is < 10%.
Since the notified polymer should not present a health hazard under normal conditions
and exposure is expected to be low, the risk of adverse occupational and public health
effects during transport, storage, reformulation and application is expected to be minimal.
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 7
13. RECOMMENDATIONS
To minimise occupational exposure to ACR-1720A Polymer the following guidelines and
precautions should be observed:
. if engineering controls and work practices are insufficient to reduce exposure to a
safe level, then personal protective devices which conform to and are used in
accordance with Australian Standards (AS) for eye protection (AS 1336, AS 1337)
(3,4) and impermeable gloves (AS 2161) (5) should be worn. Overalls and
protective foowear also should be worn;
. spills and waste should be collected and disposed of in accordance with Local
and State Government regulations and with the recommendations outlined in the
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS);
. good personal hygiene should be practised; and
. copies of the MSDS should be easily accessible to employees.
14. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
The MSDS for ACR-1720A and the aqueous formulation intermediate ACR-1720 were
provided in Worksafe Australia format (6).
These MSDS were provided by Courtaulds (Australia) Pty Ltd as part of their notification
statement. They are reproduced here as a matter of public record. The accuracy of this
information remains the responsibility of Courtaulds (Australia) Pty Ltd.
15. REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY NOTIFICATION
Under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989, secondary
notification of ACR-1720A Polymer shall be required if any of the circumstances
stipulated under subsection 64(2) of the Act arise. No other specific conditions are
prescribed.
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 8
16. REFERENCES
1. Sax N. I. and Lewis R. J., 1989, `Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials', Van
Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
2. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission 1994 `Approved Criteria for
Classifying Hazardous Substances', [NOHSC:1008(1994)], AGPS, Canberra.
3. Standards Australia 1982, `Australian Standard 1336-1982 Eye protection in the
Industrial Environment', Standards Association of Australia Publ., Sydney.
4. Standards Australia 1984, `Australian Standard 1337 - 1984 Eye Protectors for
Industrial Applications', Standards Association of Australia Publ., Sydney.
5. Standards Australia 1978, `Australian Standard 2161-1978 Industrial Safety
Gloves and Mittens (excluding Electrical and Medical Gloves)', Standards
Association of Australia Publ., Sydney.
6. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 1990. , `Guidance Note for
the Completion of a Material Safety Data Sheet', 2nd. edition, AGPS, Canberra ,
Australia. 1
1
This Guidance Note, to which an MSDS must conform in accordance with the Act, has been
superseded by Worksafe Australia's National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data
Sheets (March 1994) published by the Australian Government Publishing Service.
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 9
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