| Agent Name |
Polyethylene |
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| CAS Number |
9002-88-4 |
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| Formula |
(C2-H4)x |
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| Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
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| Synonyms |
Alathon 7140; Alathon 7511; Alcowax 6; Aldyl A; Alithon 7050; Alkathene; Allied PE 617; Alphex FIT 221; Ambythene; Amoco 610A4; BPE-I; Bakelite DFD 330; Bakelite DHDA 4080; Bakelite DYNH; Bareco polywax 2000; Bareco wax C 7500; Bicolene C; Bralen KB 2-11; Bulen A; Carlona PXB; Courlene-X3; Epolene C; Epolene E; Epolene N; Etherin; Ethylene polymer; Grex; HI-Fax; Hizex; [ChemIDplus] |
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| Category |
Plastic & Rubber Dusts/Fumes |
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| Description |
White powder (microbeads); [CAMEO] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Different forms of polyethylene include cross-linked, low-density, high-density, and low-molecular-weight. Uses include wire and cable coatings and insulation, pipe and molded fittings, packaging film, paper coating, lining for drums, toys, refuse and waste bags, squeeze bottles, electrical insulation, blow-molded or injection-molded film, sheet, fibers, and gasoline containers. The low-molecular-weight form of polyethylene is used in mold-release agents for rubber and plastics, for paper and textile coatings, and in liquid polishes. [Hawley] |
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| Comments |
Occupational asthma reported in paper packer after exposure to heated polyethylene; [Malo] No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; [ICSC] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO] |
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| Reference Link |
Occupational asthma due to polyethylene shrink wrapping (paper wrapper's asthma). |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (mice) = 1,200 mg/m3/30min |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 430 deg F; |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Asthma |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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