Number
246-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Building and construction work
Manufacture of rubber products
Manufacture of plastics products, including compounding and conversion
Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment
Other
Function
Other
Process
Manual activities involving hand contact
Product category
Fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay
Application
Sealing compound
Abstract
In a factory a product with classified ingredient substances was used earlier as a sealing compound and filler. These substances had a high potential risk in connection to allergenic reactions and one of them was also known as carcinogenic. The product is now substituted to a product without any classified ingredients.
Substituted substances
4,4'-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate
CAS No. 101-68-8 EC No. 202-966-0 Index No. 615-005-00-9
Chemical group
Isocyanates
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
Xylene
CAS No. 1330-20-7 EC No. 215-535-7 Index No. 601-022-00-9
Chemical group
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H315 Causes skin irritation
Naphtha (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized heavy
CAS No. 64742-82-1 EC No. 265-185-4 Index No. 649-330-00-2
Chemical group
Hydrocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H350 May cause cancer
H340 May cause genetic defects
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
physical hazards
ecotoxicity
skin/respiratory sensitizing
CMR
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: According to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation (EC), diisocyanates are subject to restrictions. The restriction applies to the substances per se, as well as to the substances in mixtures from a concentration of ≥ 0.1 % (w/w). 4,4'-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Xylene is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Naphtha (petroleum), hydrodesulfurised heavy is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulatio Alternative substances: The alternative products do not contain any classified ingredients and are not listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Description of Substitution
The company produces products to both the onshore and offshore market. They have a Zero Harm Policy aiming to produce and install their products causing as little as possible impact to employees’ health and safety and to the environment, both in the factories and where the products are installed. Earlier Sikaflex 221 was usedas a sealing compound. In this report the former system of MAL code number (Malteknisk Arbejdshygiejnisk Luftbehov -Targeted Occupational Hygiene Air Needs) is used. It provides information on how to protect against the health risks, but this system is no longer used. This product has a high MAL code 2-3 caused by ingredients with a potential risk of evaporation (breathing) and skin contact. The product is designated as harmful and classified potential allergenic. It contains isocyanate which is a potential carcinogenic and furthermore employees in Denmark have to complete atwo days course (legal requirement) before working with products containing isocyanate derivatives. Basically because of the relatively high MAL code and the content of isocyanate the Danishfactory wished to substitute this productwith a less dangerous one. The EHS (Environment Healthand Safety) department at the factory contacted the supplier and they recommended a new product: Sikaflex 521. This product is not designated harmful in any way and has no content of classified ingredients.The Mal code is 0-1 meaning a much lower risk than the former product concerning inhalation and skin contact. The new product was evaluated and tested (with good results) by the engineering department before introduction in the factory. At the factory onlythe new product is now in use which means fewer requirements to the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and no legal requirement for completing a course. The substitution was communicated to all departments by the EHS organization and was incorporated in the work instructions. Only the new product is now bought at the factory, employees are happy with the substitution. The new product works technically very fine and it has been possible to substitute the old product in all situations without changing working procedures. The only difference is that it is not possible to paint on the new filler/sealer as it was on the old one.
Case/substitution evaluation
In this case a product that contains ingredients with a risk of long-term effects on humans and environment is substituted with a product that according to the MSDS does not contain any classified ingredients. The specific alternative substancesare not known to SUBSPORTplus. Therefore, SUBSPORTplus has not been able to make a specific hazard assessment.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Date and place of implementation
Denmark
Availability of Alternative
Available
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
User
Further information
Sikaflex https://deu.sika.com/de/solutions_products/Produkte_a_z/03/03a045.html">https://deu.sika.com/de/solutions_products/Produkte_a_z/03/03a045.html">https://deu.sika.com/de/solutions_products/Produkte_a_z/03/03a045.htmlDate, reviewed
November 26, 2021