T-50™ CURING AGENT FOR FX ^® COATINGS

                     MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) 

PRODUCT NAME:   T-50 ^™ Curing Agent   CATALYST / CROSSLINKER
CHEMICAL FAMILY:   Mixture of Melamine-Formaldehyde Resin Solutions.

APPEARANCE AND ODOR:  Clear to semi-clear with Alcohol odor.

MOLECULAR WEIGHT:  Not Applicable.

BOILING POINT:  (DEGREES FAHRENHEIT):  212 - Not accurate:  mixture of components.

MELTING POINT:  (DEGREES FAHRENHEIT):  Not Applicable.

VAPOR PRESSURE:  (mm of Mercury):  Not Determined.

PERCENT RESIN SOLIDS:  Approximately 85%.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (WATER=1):  1.22

WEIGHT PER GALLON:  10.25 LBS.

SOLUBILITY IN WATER:  Complete.

STORAGE:  Temperature- 40-90°F, (4.44°C-32.22°C), Time – 6 months

SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA

FLASH POINT (DEGREES FAHRENHEIT:  PENSKY-MARTENS CLOSED CUP):  >150o F.

FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:  Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide or any Class B extinguishing agent.

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES AND EQUIPMENT:  Firefighters and others who may be exposed to products of combustion (see “Hazardous Decomposition Products”, below)  should wear full protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus.  Thoroughly decontaminate equipment after use.

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:  There is a possibility of pressure build-up in closed containers when heated.  Use water spray to cool containers.

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:  Thermal decomposition products may include formaldehyde, methanol, nitrogenous products and carbon monoxide.

MATERIALS TO AVOID:  None

CONDITIONS TO AVOID:  Do not expose to heat or ignition sources.

HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:  Will Occur _______ Will Not Occur ___X___

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE:  Occupational exposure to this material has not been reported to cause significant adverse human health effects.

PROBABLE ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:  Inhalation and skin contact are expected to be the primary routes of occupational exposure to T-50.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:

EYE OR SKIN CONTACT:  Immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.  Get medical attention.  Wash  clothing before reuse.  Destroy contaminated shoes.

INHALATION:  Remove to fresh air immediately.  If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.  If not breathing, give artificial respiration.  Get medical attention.  Remove material from eyes, skin and clothing.

INGESTION:  Substance exhibits very low toxicity.  If ingested, consult a physician.

SINGLE-DOSE (ACUTE) ANIMAL STUDIES INDICATE:

     ORAL:  Practically Non-Toxic (Rat LD50 > 6,600 mg/kg)

     DERMAL:  Practically Non-Toxic (Rabbit LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg)

     EYE IRRITATION:  Slightly Irritating (Rabbit)

     SKIN IRRITATION:  Practically Non-irritating (Rabbit, 4 hr. exposure)

     SKIN IRRITATION:  Corrosive (Rabbit, 24 hr. exposure)

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

 SKIN PROTECTION:  Wear appropriate protective clothing and chemical resistant gloves to  prevent skin contact.  Wear chemical goggles, a face shield and chemical resistant clothing such as  rubber apron when splashing is likely.  Wash immediately if skin is contaminated.  Remove  contaminated clothing promptly and launder before reuse.  Clean protective equipment before reuse.   Provide a safety shower at any location where skin contact can occur.  Wash thoroughly after  handling.

***ATTENTION!  REPEATED OR PROLONGED CONTACT MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTIONS IN SOME PEOPLE.***

 EYE PROTECTION:  Where there is significant potential for eye contact, wear chemical goggles  and have eye flushing equipment available.

 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:  Avoid breathing vapor and/or mist.  Use NIOSH/MSHA  approved respirator when airborne exposure limits are exceeded.  If used, full face piece replaces  need for face shield and chemical goggles.

 OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:  Adequate clothing to minimize direct contact with skin.
 
VENTILATION:  Provide natural or mechanical ventilation to control exposure levels below  airborne exposure limits.  If practical, use local mechanical exhaust ventilation at sources of air  contamination such as open process equipment.  Consult NFPA Standard 91 for design or exhaust  system.

SECTION IX - SPILL, LEAK, AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES

STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED:  Remove any sources of sparks, flame or hot surfaces.  Insure adequate ventilation.  Absorb spill with commercial absorbing material and place into containers for disposal as below.  Flush area with water spray.  Keep out of sewers, watersheds and water systems.

WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS:    In liquid form, these resins are considered” hazardous waste” as the term is defined in the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA, 40 CFR 261, Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste”, due to its characteristic of ignitability (alcohol content). As such, disposal of liquid via incineration is required by regulation. However, in may areas, reacting the T50 curing agent with FX resins first, to produce an non-toxic, non-flammable solid followed by disposal as a non-hazardous solid waste may be acceptable. Disposal should be in accordance with all applicable, local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Consult your attorney or appropriate regulatory officials for information on your locality.

SECTION X - REGULATORY INFORMATION
   

WHEN SHIPPING IN CONTAINERS OF 1200 GALLONS OR LESS : DOT PROPER SHIPPING NAME:  “T-50 Resin Solution” DOT HAZARD CLASS/I.D. NO./PACKAGING GROUP:   This material is not regulated when shipped in containers of 1200 gallons or less.  The contents of this product in spite of product name or appearance are not dangerous goods restricted for transport according to Domestic and International regulations. DOT LABEL: None IATA:  Not Regulated  U.S. SURFACE FREIGHT CLASS:  “Plastics, synthetic, N.O.I., liquid” REPORTABLE QUANTITY (RQ) UNDER DOT (49) CFR & CERCLA REGULATIONS: Package of 10,000 pounds or more contains 100 lb. RQ Formaldehyde.

WHEN SHIPPING IN ONE CONTAINER OF 1200 GALLONS OR MORE : DOT PROPER SHIPPING NAME:  “T-50 Resin Solution” DOT HAZARD CLASS/I.D. NO./PACKAGING GROUP: Environmentally Hazardous Substances, Liquid, N.O.S. (contains formaldehyde) 9, UN3082, 111 (in bulk) DOT LABEL: Class 9 Label required  IATA:  Not regulated  (unless in packages of 10,000 lbs. or more) . U.S. SURFACE FREIGHT CLASS:  “Plastics, synthetic, N.O.I., liquid” REPORTABLE QUANTITY (RQ) UNDER DOT (49) CFR & CERCLA REGULATIONS:  Package of 10,000 pounds or more contains 100 lb. RQ Formaldehyde. HAZARD CATEGORIES SARA TITLE III (40 CFR PT .370):  “Immediate, Delayed”

SECTION XI - SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND COMMENTS
HANDLING AND STORING:  Keep away from heat or flames.  Keep away from eyes.  Avoid contact with skin.  Avoid breathing of vapors or mist.

HEALTH EFFECTS SUMMARY:  Although the raw materials from Monsanto which are mixed together to make T-50 are reported to be “Practically Non-Toxic” and “Practically Non-Irritating” in nature, they do contain very small quantities of Formaldehyde (<1%), Isopropyl Alcohol (<5%) and Methanol (<0.5%).  In pure form these three chemicals present substantial risks to health and safety, but the low concentration levels in T-50 reduce this to proven levels of safety if handled with appropriate precautions.  For the information of the user, details regarding dangers of these individual materials are included for reference in case of severe over-exposure to the product and in case of emergency or fire.

Following are excerpts of information provided by Surface Specialties Inc. and Cytec regarding these components:

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
In addition to irritating effects noted earlier, swallowing of Isopropanol also causes central nervous system effects and digestive tract effects; substantial amounts may cause respiratory failure leading to death.  Although allergic skin reaction from contact with Isopropanol is reported in the scientific literature, this effect is thought to be an extremely rare occurrence.

Single dose (Acute) animal studies indicate that Isopropanol is practically non-toxic orally (rats), after skin application (rabbits) and by inhalation (rats).  It is moderately irritating to rabbit eyes and practically non-irritating to rabbit skin.  Low doses of Isopropanol orally administered daily to human volunteers (male) for 6 weeks produced no adverse blood changes.  Repeated and prolonged exposure to rabbits by skin application produced skin irritation.   Rats and mice repeatedly exposed to Isopropanol by inhalation showed changes in reflexes, enlarged spleens and brain changes (rats), and liver changes (rats, mice).  No adverse effects were reported in laboratory animals given Isopropanol in their feed (rats) or drinking water (dogs).  A decrease in body weight gain was the only adverse effect reported in rats administered Isopropanol in their drinking water for 27 weeks.  In several long-term, limited studies mice were exposed to Isopropanol by skin application, inhalation and injection.  No increase in lung tumors was reported in the mice.  No birth defects were reported in rats administered Isopropanol in their drinking water, even at levels which produced adverse effects on the offspring.  Non-carcinogen.

METHANOL
Possible reproductive hazard from prolonged exposure.  May cause blindness if swallowed.  Can cause central nervous system depression.  Signs and symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.  Methanol has not been listed by NTP, IARC or OSHA  as a carcinogen.

FORMALDEHYDE
In addition to the irritation effect to the eyes, nasal passages, respiratory tract and skin, formaldehyde solutions can produce allergic skin reactions.  Numerous publications in the scientific literature confirm the irritating properties of acute and short-term exposure to formaldehyde in humans and animals and discuss toxic effects which are probably related to the irritants properties of this chemical.

Formaldehyde is listed as a substance that “may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogenic” by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in their Fifth Annual Report on Carcinogens, is classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC Monographs, Vol. 29) and is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen (29 CFR 1910.1048).  The NTP and IARC listings were based, in part, on their determination that there is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde in humans.  However, the largest study (with a study population greater that the total of all other studies - more than 25,000 workers) found little evidence that mortality from cancer is associated with formaldehyde exposure at levels experienced by workers in the study.  The NTP and IARC also considered that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde in experimental animals on the basis of studies in which nasal tumors were formed in rats and mice following chronic exposure to formaldehyde.  Formaldehyde produced genetic changes in a variety of standard tests.

“Pure” formaldehyde has an oral (rat) LD50 toxicity level of 100 mg/kg.  The dermal LD50 in rabbits is 270 mg/kg, and LC50 following a 4 hour inhalation exposure to rats is 250-478 ppm.  Exposure to formaldehyde vapor at concentrations in excess of 1 ppm may cause significant irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract.  The irritation threshold appears to be 0.3 ppm.  No pulmonary sensitization has been demonstrated in laboratory studies.  Formaldehyde solutions can cause severe eye and moderate skin irritation.  Repeated skin exposure to solutions of 2% or more formaldehyde has caused allergic skin reactions.  Formaldehyde was found to be weakly active in a number of in vitro genotoxicity test, but inactive in vivo.  Formaldehyde did not cause birth defects in rats inhaling concentrations up to 10 ppm.  Lifetime inhalation of formaldehyde vapor at concentrations above 5 ppm for 6 hours per day, caused nasal tumors in laboratory animals.  Many epidemiology studies have failed to link cancer in humans with occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  May 23, 2006
SUPERSEDES:  Nov. 22, 2005