Material Safety Data Sheet – Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM)

Identification

Product Name: Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer Rubber (EPDM)
Chemical Family: Synthetic Rubber
Chemical Formula: Blend of Ethylene, Propylene, and Diene monomers (CAS Numbers: 25038-36-2, 9010-79-1, 26525-49-3)
Recommended Use: Automotive weather-seals, roofing membranes, hoses, electrical insulation, gasket materials, waterproofing
Manufacturer Contact: Company address, phone number, emergency phone number, email contact (matching the supplier’s current regulatory documentation)
Synonyms: EPDM rubber, EPM rubber (if no diene present), Ethylene-propylene elastomer
Product Codes: As supplied by manufacturers based on grade and curing system
Date of Issue: Current revision date as per the supplier’s safety documentation

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under normal conditions of use; may contain ingredients with low-level hazard profiles in dust or fume form under thermal degradation
Hazard Statements: Combustion or thermal decomposition may produce toxic fumes (e.g. carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons)
Signal Word: None required for stable polymer
Pictograms: None required under GHS
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation of dust and fumes generated during processing, skin and eye contact during handling
Potential Health Effects: Mechanical irritation of eyes, skin, and respiratory tract if particulate generated; heated product may cause burns
Precautionary Measures: Use local exhaust ventilation when cutting, grinding, or processing; avoid inhalation of vapors in fire situations

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Components: Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), 60–100% by weight
Fillers: May include carbon black (CAS 1333-86-4), silica, calcium carbonate, processing oils, antioxidants, curatives, waxes, and other proprietary ingredients depending on grade
Hazardous Ingredients: Some grades contain carbon black, which is classified as a possible carcinogen in dust form; antioxidants such as TMQ or IPPD may cause skin sensitization or irritation in contact with skin
Impurities: Uncured and partially cured polymers may contain residual monomers in extremely low concentrations; these are not expected to pose a hazard under normal handling
Typical Formulation Range: Information varies by application, but major ingredients are stable polymers and inert fillers with minimal acute toxicity

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air if dust or fumes are inhaled during machining or fire; supply oxygen if breathing is difficult; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water to remove any dust or particles; for burns from heated material, cool skin with water and get medical help
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately with large amounts of water, lifting eyelids to ensure thorough irrigation; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion: Unlikely route of exposure; if large pieces are swallowed, seek medical advice especially if airway obstruction is suspected
Special Notes to Physicians: Treat symptomatically; consider treatment for mechanical irritation or thermal burns as indicated

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for extinguishing fires involving EPDM
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct water streams that may spread molten or burning material
Special Hazards: Burning product generates dense black smoke; decomposition products may include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, traces of hydrogen cyanide, and other irritants
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear
Fire and Explosion Properties: EPDM is not highly flammable; may melt and drip; dust may support combustion if finely divided

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust; wear suitable gloves and safety glasses if collecting loose powder or fragments
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, and waterways; minimize dust generation
Cleanup Methods: Collect mechanically; sweep up granules or chunks and place in appropriate waste containers; flush area with water if necessary to remove residual particles
Special Procedures: For large spills of powdered resin, use appropriate dust respirators; avoid raising dust clouds
Waste Disposal: Store cleanup residues in closed containers for appropriate disposal in accordance with local regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use mechanical ventilation if dust or fumes are generated, such as during grinding or high-temperature processing; avoid breathing off-gases from heating
Precautions: Prevent formation of dust clouds; avoid contact with hot surfaces or open flames; clean up spills promptly
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep away from heat, sparks, flames, and strong oxidizers; protect from direct sunlight and moisture
Container Requirements: Use inert, sealed containers; ensure compatibility with rubber or polymer
Other Practices: Rotate stock to minimize aging; minimize exposure to strong acids, alkalis, and oils to avoid degradation; isolate from incompatible materials

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation where dust or fumes may be generated; maintain airborne concentrations below applicable exposure limits for carbon black and any processing oil fumes
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety glasses with side shields, gloves made of nitrile or neoprene, and protective clothing when handling bulk material
Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator in dusty conditions or during thermal processing where off-gassing may occur
Exposure Guidelines: Carbon black ACGIH TLV 3.5 mg/m³ TWA; no established limits for EPDM as a finished polymer
Hygiene Practices: Wash thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke near the material; remove dust from clothing before entering clean areas

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Solid, elastomeric material; color varies depending on pigmentation and fillers (typically black)
Odor: Faint hydrocarbon or rubbery odor; more pronounced if heated
pH: Not applicable (solid polymer)
Melting Point: Softens between 110°C – 160°C; will not exhibit a sharp melting point
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Above 300°C (estimated by thermal decomposition)
Flammability: Will burn if exposed to sustained ignition source
Solubility: Insoluble in water; swells in some organic solvents and oils
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Density: 0.85 – 1.25 g/cm³ (varies with formulation)
Autoignition Temperature: Approximately 400°C
Other Properties: Stable, flexible, and resistant to ozone, aging, and weathering; compatible with many mineral and synthetic oils in limited contact

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions; not reactive at ambient temperatures
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to strong oxidizing agents, excessive heat above 200°C, open flames, and prolonged sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, chlorine, fluorine, peroxides, halogens
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal degradation can produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and some compounds containing sulfur or diene derivatives
Polymerization: Not known to undergo hazardous polymerization under recommended conditions
Reactivity Profile: Chemically inert under most environmental or laboratory conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity based on animal studies; no major toxic effects expected from stable polymer
Skin Contact: No significant irritation expected under normal use; some sensitizing antioxidants and oils may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Eye Contact: Mechanical irritation possible from particles or dust
Ingestion: Inert and not considered toxic in small amounts; ingestion of large pieces may cause choking or blockage
Chronic Effects: Carbon black, if respirable, classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); hazard minimal in molded or compacted rubber
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by OSHA or NTP; occupational exposure primarily linked to dust during production or recycling
Other Effects: No evidence of mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or reproductive toxicity in compounded EPDM; additives may have their own hazards

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Not expected to cause significant harm to aquatic or terrestrial organisms in bulk form; additives such as processing oils or antioxidants may leach in minor quantities with prolonged exposure
Persistence: Resistant to biodegradation; stable for many years in landfill conditions
Bioaccumulation: Not bioaccumulative as a finished rubber product; most additives have low to moderate potential for bioaccumulation
Mobility: Insoluble and not mobile in soil or water; fragments and dust may move in runoff if left exposed
Other Information: Long service life on exposure to natural weathering; ecotoxicological impacts relate more to improper disposal or unintentional release of filler materials than to the polymer itself

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of as non-hazardous solid waste per local, regional, and national regulations; energy recovery by incineration can be considered in approved facilities
Recycling: Rubber can be reprocessed or ground for use as asphalt modification, playground surfaces, or secondary rubber products; consult with local facilities to confirm options
Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled burning due to generation of toxic smoke; do not discharge into water systems, open land, or sewers
Packaging Disposal: Recycle or land-fill packaging materials such as bags, pallets, and containers after ensuring they are empty
Special Instructions: Confirm acceptance of EPDM for recycling or solid waste disposal at licensed centers to comply with environmental management practices

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a dangerous good for transport by road, rail, sea, or air
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous material under current transport regulations
Packing Group: Not applicable
Labeling Requirements: No special labeling needed except for product identification; dusty or powdered grades should be labeled as nuisance dust
Environmental Hazards: None specified by ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA
Special Precautions: Secure loads to avoid shifting during transport; protect from excessive heat, open flames, and exposure to sunlight during shipment and storage
Other Information: Confirm compliance with all relevant transportation regulations for accompanying additives, especially if non-standard formulations are used

Regulatory Information

Safety, Health, and Environmental Regulations: Subject to general environmental, health, and occupational safety regulations under OSHA, REACH, and equivalent local frameworks
Chemical Inventories: EPDM registered on TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), AICS (Australia), and other country-specific lists
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Sections 302, 304, 313
Hazard Communication: Not classified as hazardous under GHS where supplied as solid polymer; classify and label based on additives (carbon black, oils) per applicable laws
Other Requirements: Employer and workplace obligations may include providing safety training, appropriate PPE, and access to Material Safety Data information for all users
Restrictions: Use of certain processing oils or additives may be regulated due to toxicity or carcinogenicity concerns in some jurisdictions; check for local limitations on disposal or incineration