Product Name: Polyvinyl Alcohol Film
Product Code: Commonly listed as PVA Film
Chemical Family: Synthetic Water-Soluble Polymer
Recommended Use: Packaging, water-soluble laundry bags, transfer printing substrates, industrial film, agricultural film
Supplier: Major producers include Kuraray Co., Ltd., Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., and Sinopec
Emergency Contact: Reach out to local poison control centers, or for industrial quantities, reference supplier emergency lines
GHS Classification: Not classified as a hazardous substance or mixture according to Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: Dust can lead to slight respiratory irritation. Inhalation or repeated handling may dry out the skin. Large quantities present a slipping hazard if spilled.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Use local exhaust or general ventilation. Keep surfaces clean to avoid slip and fall accidents.
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation
Chemical Name: Polyvinyl Alcohol
CAS Number: 9002-89-5
Percentage: Typically above 95% pure
Additives: Sometimes includes plasticizers or minor processing aids, usually <1% by weight
Inhalation: Move into fresh air. Seek medical advice if cough or respiratory difficulty persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse for several minutes with water, holding eyelids apart. Contact physician if irritation develops.
Skin Contact: Wash with mild soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Moisturize skin if dryness occurs.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Get medical attention if symptoms develop. Product is considered low toxicity but is not intended for ingestion in any significant amount.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam. Use water to cool exposed containers.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High-pressure water jets may spread burning material.
Special Hazards: In case of fire, may evolve carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and acetic acid fumes.
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing.
Firefighting Instructions: Approach from upwind, remove material from path of fire if safe.
Personal Precautions: Wear safety glasses, gloves, and dust mask in case of large spills.
Preventive Measures: Avoid creating dust. Wipe or sweep up spilled film immediately to avoid slip hazards.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid entry into sewers or watercourses. Polyvinyl alcohol film is slowly biodegradable but can cause blockages.
Clean-up Methods: Clean up mechanically; for large spills, use industrial vacuum. Dispose in accordance with local regulations.
Handling: Provide adequate ventilation. Take care when cutting or converting rolls. Minimize creation of dust during processing and waste disposal. Practice good industrial hygiene; wash hands before breaks and meals.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture. Keep away from strong oxidizers, acids, and bases.
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with concentrated acids and bases. Moisture accelerates degradation.
Life Expectancy: Can degrade in humid conditions; best used within one year of manufacture for industrial applications.
Exposure Limits: Not regulated for occupational exposure by OSHA, ACGIH, NIOSH. Suggested to keep airborne dust below 10 mg/m3 (total) to minimize respiratory irritation.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust when generating dust or vapor.
PPE – Eye/Face Protection: Use chemical splash goggles in dusty conditions.
PPE – Skin Protection: Gloves recommended if handling bulk quantities.
PPE – Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or particulate respirator for operations generating dust
Hygiene Measures: No industrial hygiene issues for routine use, but always wash after extensive contact.
Appearance: Clear or white solid film, various thicknesses
Odor: Odorless
pH: 5–7.5 (4% aqueous solution)
Melting Point/Range: Softens around 190°C, decomposes before melting
Boiling Point/Range: Not applicable
Flash Point: >200°C (estimated)
Flammability: Combustible but not readily ignitable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Solubility: Soluble in water (varies with degree of hydrolysis and temperature)
Auto-ignition Temperature: >360°C
Density: About 1.2–1.3 g/cm³
Viscosity: Not applicable for film form
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions. Prolonged exposure to heat or humidity increases risk of degradation.
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive moisture, high temperatures, open flames.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, concentrated acids, alkalis.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid, traces of organic vapors may evolve at extreme temperatures.
Polymerization: Not known to occur under normal industrial use.
Acute Toxicity: Low oral and dermal toxicity. LD50 (oral, rat) > 20,000 mg/kg.
Skin Contact: Not a sensitizer. Can cause dryness or mild, transient irritation after repeated exposure.
Eye Contact: Dust/contact may cause mild irritation.
Inhalation: Breathing dust over time causes throat and respiratory irritation in some workers.
Chronic Exposure: No known carcinogenic, reproductive, or mutagenic effects documented for polyvinyl alcohol.
Sensitization: Not known to sensitize skin or lungs.
Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity to aquatic organisms. LC50 (fish, 96h) > 1000 mg/L.
Persistence/Degradability: Biodegradable in water (can be mineralized by microorganisms), though the rate varies by type and environmental conditions.
Bioaccumulation: Does not accumulate in organisms.
Mobility in Soil: Film may persist before breaking down, especially when buried.
Other Information: Debris can create physical blockage in aquatic and terrestrial animals if ingested before dissolution. Keep out of open water and natural habitats whenever possible.
Waste Handling: Dispose via landfill or municipal incineration if no local recycling is available. Polyvinyl alcohol can often be disposed of with general waste streams.
Disposal of Solutions: Small aqueous solutions may be diluted and flushed with plenty of water, guided by municipal wastewater rules.
Packaging Disposal: Triple-rinse containers, puncture and recycle or dispose as per local guidance.
Regulatory Notes: Film is classified as non-hazardous waste by EPA and EU standards unless contaminated.
UN Number: Not applicable
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not a dangerous good
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not regulated
Special Transport Precautions: Keep dry, store in original packaging, avoid crush damage during transit.
Other: No transportation restrictions on road, rail, air, or sea.
U.S. TSCA: Listed
EU REACH: Registered and allowed for use in industrial and commercial sectors
OSHA Status: No special regulations, non-hazardous under normal conditions
SARA Title III: Not listed under Section 302/304/313
California Prop 65: Not listed
Canadian DSL: Listed
Other International Legislation: No restrictions or labeling required in Japan, Korea, China; considered a low-risk material globally.
Labeling: Not required to carry any hazard or warning labels under standard use and shipping.
