MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
According to ISO standards 11014-1 dated 03/15/94 and ANSI Z400.1 dated 1998
1 � COMPANY � PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION
MANUFACTURER:
Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International S.A.
Head Quarters:
767, quai des Allobroges, BP 929
73009 Chambéry Cedex
: (33) (0)4 / 79 75 53 00 - Fax : (33) (0)4 / 79 75 53 99
Production plant:
Saint-Gobain Vetrotex España S.A. Saint-Gobain Lorcet SA
Carretera Madrid-Barcelona, Km 34,500 57, rue du Maréchal de Rochambeau
E-28800 Alcala de Henares (Madrid) F-41100 Vandome
(34) 1 885 57 00 : +33 2 54 73 40 00
Fax (34) 1 885 57 03 Fax : +33 2 54 72 28 92
Saint-Gobain Revetex S.r.l. Saint-Gobain Vertex, a.s - Plant 3
Corso Rigola 89 Zahradni 256
I-13100 Vercelli CZ-67125 Hodonice
: +39 0161 215810 : + 420 624 207 111
Fax :+39 0161 257121 Fax : + 420 624 207 275
PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION:
"AR continuous filaments glass fibers"
Commercial brand: ARcotex®, Cem-FIL® or Anti-Crak®
Contact in case of emergency:
� Environmental Industrial Hygiene and Security Director of The
Reinforcement Branch of Saint-Gobain
� Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International S.A.
Phone +33 4 79 75 53 00, Fax +33 4 79 75 54 03
� sgvx_webmaster@saint-gobain.com
2 - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Continuous strand glass reinforcing fibres are not significantly hazardous.
Details about chemical hazards are given in paragraph 3. Toxicological aspects
are developed in detail in chapter 11.
The essential point to remember is that glass filaments are not “respirable�.
According to the definition given by the international organisations like the
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WHO, fibres with a minimum diameter of 3µm are not respirable which is the
case of the continuous filament glass fibres.
Hazards identified are:
� mechanical irritation (itching)
� the formation of non fibrous dusts (broken pieces of different sizes) and
non respirable filaments
� extremely rare possibilities of allergy.
3 - COMPOSITION � INFORMATION ON CONSTITUANT PARTS
Glass fibres for reinforcement are basically sold as:
ASSEMBLED ROVINGS DIRECT ROVINGS RO99ď›?
CHOPPED STRANDS CHOPPED STRANDS MATS
TEXTILE YARNS MILLED FIBERS
CONTINUOUS FILAMENT MAT
On Saint-Gobain Vetrotex product packing, these general names are followed by
a code number.
This Material Safety Data Sheet is valid for all these products.
Glass fibres are ARTICLES, as fibres are defined as articles in the manual of
decisions for implementation of the sixth and seventh amendments to directive
67/548/eec on dangerous substances (EU Directives 79/831/eec and 92/32/eec)
or in the USA by the American TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) or EPA
40 CFR 710.2 and also some other national regulations (DSL in Canada for
instance).
These articles are made of AR GLASS in the form of continuous strands and a
SIZE with, in addition, a BINDER in the case of mats.
The CAS number of glass fibre is 65997-17-3 (corresponding to the oxides used
for production).
AR Glass is an alkaline and acid resistant glass. Its composition (expressed in
oxides) is within the following percentages:
SiO2 55-75%
ZrO2 15-20%
Alkaline oxides (Na2O, K2O) 11-21%
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Alkaline terrous oxides (CaO, MgO....) 0-6%
B2O3 0-2%
Al2O3 0-5%
TiO2 0-3%
F2 0-2 %
AR Glass contains traces of naturally-occurring radioactive materials. The total
content of Uranium and Thorium is less than 500ppm with a total specific
activity below 20 Bq/g.
SIZE is a mixture of chemicals applied to the glass strands in a maximum
quantity of 2.5% - more generally less than 1.5%.
Most of this mixture is made up of basically non reactive high molecular weight
polymers not listed as substances in the 1981 European Inventory of Existing
Commercial Substances (EINECS) nor in the ELINCS appendices (European
List of Notified Chemical Substances) nor in the American TSCA lists.
In some cases, sizes are prepared from polymers with reactive sites or containing
reactive monomers included in these lists. Most of the reactive sites are
polymerised during the manufacturing process. However a very small reactivity
may remain which justifies the precautionary measures listed in Chapter 8
below.
A second type of ingredient present in almost all sizes is a member of the
organo-silane family. These products account for less than 0.05% of the final
weight of sized glass and react with the glass matrix during the fabrication
process.
Other products can be used in sizes. Usually the content is extremely low (under
0.1% of total weight) and as a general rule such products are not on the
dangerous product lists or, as they have reacted, any possible risk has been
reduced.
BINDERS FOR MATS are high molecular weight polymers deposited in
quantities under 10% and polymerised on chopped or continuous glass strand
mats. They are not on dangerous products lists.
If so requested by medical authorities, the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS)
reference numbers for the ingredients used for a given size or binder can be
communicated but must remain for the confidential use of medical authorities.
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4 � FIRST AID
INHALATION: remove from the scene of exposure to fresh air
SKIN CONTACT: wash copiously with lukewarm soapy water
without rubbing excessively
EYE CONTACT: flush in running water (for at least 10 minutes) and
consult if needed a doctor
5 � FIRE FIGHTING
In case of fire, glass fibres are not flammable, are incombustible and don’t
support combustion.
Only the packaging (plastic film, paper, cardboard, wood) and the small amounts
of size or binder are likely to burn. Combustion gases are basically carbon
dioxide and water vapour. There may be small quantities of carbon monoxide
and other substances which make it necessary to use protective devices in the
event of a major fire.
RECOMMENDED EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: water or powder
6 � ACCIDENTAL SPILLAGE
PERSONAL PROTECTION: See Chapter 8.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:
In leaching tests glass fibre wastes did not emit any significant quantities of
dangerous products and they can therefore be considered as Inert Industrial
Wastes, or even Common Industrial Wastes, as defined by national and local
regulations. All waste and scrap material should be disposed of in accordance
with applicable national, federal, state and local regulations.
CLEANING:
Vacuum clean, sweep or shovel carefully in order to prevent dust suspension.
7 � HANDLING & STORAGE
HANDLING (Technical measures / Precautions / Safe handling advice):
It is preferable to avoid prolonged contact with the skin: wear gloves, garments
with sleeves and long leggings or protective overalls, goggles, and dust masks.
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Glass filaments and dusts must be removed from work garments with a vacuum
cleaner and not blown off with compressed air jets. Wash work garments
separately from other clothes.
STORAGE:
Technical measures: respect the stacking procedure recommended for
each type of product.
Storage conditions: store away from excessive humidity to prevent
damage to the product and to the packing materials
which could lead to storage safety problems.
Incompatible material: not relevant.
8- EXPOSURE CONTROL � PERSONAL PROTECTION
TECHNICAL MEASURES
Use every appropriate means (suction, modification of manufacturing methods to
reduce fibre dust�) to try to reduce the concentration of fibres in the air likely to
cause irritation.
TEST PARAMETERS
Test ambient atmospheres in which glass fibre is used regularly to determine
levels of
� “non respirable� and “respirable� filaments,
� “non-respirable� and “respirable� dusts.
Legal requirements for respirable and non-respirable dusts and fibres vary from
country to country (or do not even exist). The table below (prepared using the
knowledge we currently possess) shows the limits applicable in different
countries for Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure.
It is recommended to identify the chemical nature of the fibres found in working
atmospheres correctly, in particular in insulation wools and mineral fibres like
asbestos which are sometimes present and can be confused with continuous glass
filaments.
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TWA (Time- TWA (Time-
Weighted Average Weighted Average
Country Dusts Fibres
concentration) concentration)
(mg/cu.m. for 8 (Fibres/ml for 8
hours work) hours work)
Austria fine 6 total 0.5
Belgium total 10 No
regulation
Denmark respirable 5 total 1
total 10
Finland total 10 total 1
France total 10 respirable 1
Germany respirable 3 respirable 0.25
Great Britain respirable 5 respirable 2
total 10
The respirable 2 total 1
Netherlands total 10
Ireland respirable 5 respirable 2
Italy respirable 3 total 1
total 10
Norway respirable 5 total 1
total 10
Portugal total 4 total 1
Spain total 10 total 1
Sweden respirable 5 total 1
total 10
Switzerland total 6 respirable 0.5
USA total 5 total 1
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT:
Respiratory protection: during occasional operations releasing high quantities of
dust, wear minimum FP1 or preferably FP2 EEC approved dust masks. Type 3M
8710 or 3M 9900 respirators approved according to American National Institute
For Occupational Safety And Health (NIOSH) directives, can be used, for
example.
Protection of hands and other exposed parts of the body: gloves for the hands,
long-sleeved garments and long leggings to prevent irritation.
People with delicate skin should apply barrier cream to exposed skin areas.
Eye protection: safety goggles (or masks) or safety glasses.
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During normal handling and use the product doesn’t lead to an exposure above 1
mSv/year (1760 hr/year).
9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL STATE: solid
FORM: continuous or chopped or mats of fibre made up of
continuous, parallel filaments glued together.
COLOUR: white or yellowish white
ODOUR: none, except for some products from which a
slightly basic or acid odour is sometimes released
when a pallet or carton is opened. This odour never
indicates that an eventual toxic product has been
released in a dangerous amount.
pH: not applicable
SPECIFIC TEMPERATURE AT WHICH CHANGES IN PHYSICAL STATE
OCCUR:
Softening point (Littleton point): approximately 860°C
Melting point: approximately 1280°C (viscosity temperature 1000 p)
DECOMPOSITION TEMPERATURE: Sizes and mat binders start to
decompose at 200°C
FLASH POINT: none
EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES: none
DENSITY (molten glass): 2.7 g / cu. cm.
very low solubility in water.
SOLUBILITY:
Sizes and binders can be
partially (and even totally)
dissolved in most organic solvents.
10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
STABILITY
Stable in normal use and storage conditions, and in normally foreseeable usage
conditions.
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HAZARDOUS REACTIONS
Glass reinforcement strands are stable and never generate hazardous chemical
reactions.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
In continuous combustion conditions, in addition to water vapour and CO2, small
quantities of CO and NOx may be released from the combustion of the size
and/or the binder. Other products may be released in limited quantities,
depending on combustion conditions. This is why it is recommended to use high-
performance gas masks, when fighting intense fires.
11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
ACUTE TOXICITY: not relevant
LOCALISED EFFECTS: possible temporary irritations
This irritation is of a purely mechanical and temporary nature. It disappears
when exposure is ended. It can affect the skin, the eyes and the upper respiratory
tracts. In Europe, mechanical irritation is not considered to be a health hazard
within the terms of European directives 67/548/EEC for hazardous products.
This is confirmed by the fact that EC Directive 97/69/EC for mineral fibres does
not stipulate the need to use a Xi (irritant) label nor a classification for
continuous strand glass fibres.
SENSITISATION: some allergies to continuous strand
glass fibres have been declared. All sizing mixtures are tested for their wet state
sensitising properties when developed by Saint-Gobain Vetrotex and are only
adopted if they have no significant sensitisation properties. In case of the allergy
is confirmed, remove the person from the scene of the exposure.
LONG TERM TOXICITY: CARCINOGENIC RISKS
Regulatory situation:
None of the following official organisations have attributed any risks of cancer
during the production and use of continuous filament glass fibres:
During its congress in June, 1987, World Health Organisation (WHO) through
the IARC (International Agency of Research on Cancer) examined all laboratory
Studies using animals and epidemiological studies carried out on continuous
strand glass reinforcement fibres.
The conclusion was that glass filaments are not classified as to their
carcinogenicity. They belong to the Group 3 of IARC. This classification has
been confirmed by the IARC Working Group meeting of October 2001.
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The International Labour Office (ILO) and the CSIP (Chemical Safety
International Program) came to the same conclusions in a congress held in 1987.
European Commission Directive 97/69/EC dated 5/12/97, the 23rd amendment to
Directive 67/548/EEC which concerns classification, packing and labelling of
hazardous substances did not think it necessary to include glass fibres as having
carcinogenic risks.
Most European Union member nations have transposed this Directive into their
national law and adopted the same conclusions:
Country Reference of transposition documents of Directive 97/69/EC
Austria Chemikalienverordnung 1999
Belgium French implementation by « Koninklijk Besluit » of 15/1/99
published on 24/2/99
Denmark BEK N°11/1999.01.09 (Ministery of Environment)
Finland Landskapforordning 23/04/98 and 24/02/98 and List of
Hazardous Chemicals 16.12.98
France Arrêté ministériel du 28/08/98, Circulaire DRT 99/10 du 13/8/99
Germany 4th adaptation of the German Gefahrstoffverordnung 1999
Great Britain The chemicals (Hazard Information and packaging for supply)
(amendment) Regulations 1998. 6/1/99
Greece Not available
The Wijzigingsbesluit (Stb. 217,2001)
Netherlands
Ireland Statuary Instruments S.I. N°513 of 1998. European Communities
(Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of
Dangerous Substances) Amendment N°2 Regulation 1998. Effect
on 22 December 1998.
Italy Decreto ministeriale del 01/09/98, Gazzetta Ufficiale-Serie
generale-del 19/11/98 n271 pag. 16, decretto del 2 feb 1999 ,
circolare n°4 del 15/03/1999
Luxembourg Règlement Grand Ducal du 31/10/98
Portugal Non disponible
Spain Bulletin Oficial del Estada (11/09/98)
Sweden KIFS 1998 : 7
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NTP (U.S. National
Toxicology Program), official American organisations, have not listed
continuous strand glass fibres as hazardous substances and the ACGIH
(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) has classified
them as A4 (not classified as carcinogenic for Man).
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No new studies have led the organisations to revise their position on this subject.
Most laws and studies concerning respirable fibres do not apply to continuous
filaments reinforcement fibres.
For example,
� The concentration of respirable fibres in the atmosphere (1 fibre /
cu.m.) fixed by French circular 95/04 dated 12/01/1995 (in
addition to that dated 19/07/1982) from the French Ministry for
Work does not apply to glass reinforcement fibres (which are not
respirable).
� Cancer risk index KI defined in German TRGS 905 does not
apply to non-respirable continuous filament glass fibres.
Epidemiological and laboratory studies
No epidemiological and laboratory studies carried out up until now demonstrate
in a scientifically significant way any risk of cancer related to reinforcement
fibres.
Several epidemiological studies (Chiazze 1997, Boffeta 1997) confirmed the
absence of excessive mortality due to cancer in people working in glass fibre
manufacturing facilities vs. control populations.
A study published in 2000 by the IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine in
Edinburgh) addressed the inhalation of E-glass microfibres by animals at
concentrations at least 1000 times higher than those encountered when using
glass fibres demonstrated carcinogenic risk. These microfibres are not part of the
product range produced and sold by Saint-Gobain Vetrotex and these findings
are not likely to change current opinions for the glass fibres described in this
MSDS.
Handling glass fibres
When glass fibres are chopped, milled or sanded they are cut perpendicular to
strand length and no smaller diameters filaments are generated. Conversely,
significant quantities of dust can be generated which is why it is recommended to
use personal protection. In dusts, also present in some products (chopped strands,
crushed fibres) some studies have shown very low quantities of particles with
fibrous aspects (l/d>3), short (but nevertheless longer than 5µm) and with an
apparent diameter of under 3µm.
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Quantities measured in work atmospheres are 50 to 100 times lower than all the
limits fixed for respirable fibres, but when there is a high risk of dust generation
it is strongly recommended to wear masks.
MUTAGENIC RISKS, TERATOGENIC RISKS, RISKS FOR
REPRODUCTION:
Continuous strand glass reinforcement fibres have no known risks.
12 - ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
AR Glass is not biodegradable.
Sizes or binders are organic materials slowly and only partial dissolved by
natural agents like water. As the concentration of the ingredients in the mixture
and ingredient solubility are low and as they have not been classified as
hazardous, glass reinforcement strands are considered to have no adverse eco-
toxicological effects.
Glass fibres and sizing products were not listed as products likely to destroy
the ozone layer by the 1987 Montreal Protocol (Class 1 or Class 2). These lists
are included in EC Regulation n° 3093/94 and in section VI of amendments to
the "Clean Air Act" by the American Environmental Agency (EPA).
Glass fibre sizes and binders do not contain PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyl) or
and other polyaromatic products of the same type.
13 � WASTE DISPOSAL
Depending on local regulations, glass fibre wastes can either be considered as
inert waste or as common industrial waste. As such they can be buried in
landfills approved for these categories.
Glass fibres waste cannot be destroyed by incineration, and can damage
incinerators by the formation of a vitrified mass.
Clean cardboard, wood, plastic (film or bags) and packaging can be eliminated in
units specific to these products (i.e. for recycling or use as fuels).
14 - TRANSPORT
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS:
Glass reinforcement fibres are not considered as hazardous goods by transport
regulations.
It is not one of the 13 hazardous classes listed in international regulations.
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They do not need special procedures under any regulations. For international
transport in Europe by land (new restructured version of ADR applicable as from
July 1st 2001, RID, ADNR), sea (OMI) or air (OAC/IATA or to the USA (DOT)
or Canada (TDG), they are not shown as a risk category nor qualified by a UNO
number or a packing group.
15 � REGULATORY INFORMATION
AR continuous filaments glass fibers do not require hazardous product labelling
(see Chapter 11).
General hygiene and work safety regulations apply (see Chapter 8).
Continuous filaments glass reinforcement for plastics are articles and for this
reason they have not to be listed in most of the countries, for instance in the list
EINECS in Europe, ELINCS, TSCA for the USA, DSL and NDSL for Canada.
16 - OTHER INFORMATION
FOOD ENVIRONMENTS and DRINKABLE WATER: As differ from country
to country, every question must be examined individually with the relevant
Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Services.
This Material Safety Data Sheet is in addition to the
Product Specification file and other technical documents
issued by SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX, but do not
replace them.
The information given by this document is based on the date
shown. It is given in good faith.
Furthermore, users attention is drawn to the possible risks
run when the product is used for any purpose other than
the one for which it was designed.
This MSDS does not exempt users from knowing and
applying the rules regulating their activities. Users assume
full responsibility for applying the appropriate safety
measures when the product is used.
For all additional information, users should contact their local Saint-Gobain
Vetrotex agent or the Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International Environment, Health
and Safety Director.
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