Material Safety Data Sheet: Rubber Accelerator

Identification

Product Name: General-Purpose Rubber Accelerator
Chemical Name: 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), N-Cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), or other listed types
Product use: Rubber vulcanization process
Manufacturer details: Provided through supplier or manufacturer’s official documentation
Emergency contact: Supplier emergency line, poison control number, local hazardous materials team

Hazard Identification

Hazard classification: Acute toxicity, skin irritation, eye irritation, respiratory sensitizer, environmental hazard
Pictogram and signal word: Exclamation mark, Health hazard, Environment, Warning or Danger
Hazard statements: May cause allergic skin reaction, may irritate eyes and respiratory tract, toxic to aquatic life
Precautionary statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, avoid release to the environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical identity: Mixture of specialty chemical accelerators or single chemical (MBT, CBS, TMTD, etc.)
CAS number: Example: MBT - 149-30-4, CBS - 95-33-0, TMTD - 137-26-8
Proportion: Pure accelerator (99–100%) or blended, depending on manufacturer
Impurities: Small amounts of processing aids, unreacted materials, or byproducts, not intended to influence safety profile

First Aid Measures

Eye contact: Flush eyes gently with running water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes, wash affected area thoroughly with soap and water, use moisturizers for irritation, seek medical advice for persistent symptoms
Inhalation: Move individual to fresh air, keep warm and at rest, provide oxygen or artificial respiration for breathing difficulty, seek immediate medical care for severe symptoms
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water to drink, seek immediate medical attention, present label if available

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, or water spray depending on fire class
Special hazards: Decomposition products include toxic gases such as oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide
Protective equipment: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire fighting procedures: Approach upwind, contain contaminated runoff, cool exposed containers with water spray

Accidental Release Measures

Personal precautions: Isolate area, ventilate if indoors, evacuate non-essential personnel, use personal protection (respirator, gloves, goggles)
Environmental precautions: Prevent product from reaching drains, sewers, or waterways, notify authorities of significant spills
Spill cleanup methods: Sweep or shovel solid material into appropriate waste container, decontaminate area with water and detergent, collect all residues for proper disposal
Disposal of contaminated materials: Dispose of using licensed waste handler or in accordance with local hazardous waste regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling precautions: Minimize dust generation, use only in a well-ventilated area, avoid contact with skin and eyes, avoid inhalation of dust, keep containers tightly closed
Safe storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or ignition, separate from incompatible chemicals (strong oxidizers, acids)
Container requirements: Use corroded-resistant, clearly labeled, tightly-sealed containers
Special instructions: Keep away from food, drink, and animal feed, store in accordance with chemical storage regulations and guidelines

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational exposure limits: Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) set by ACGIH or Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) from local regulators, usually in mg/m³ for airborne dust
Engineering controls: Implement local exhaust ventilation at processing areas, use dust collection systems, monitor airborne levels regularly
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Eye protection such as chemical goggles or face shield, skin protection with chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing, respiratory protection using NIOSH-approved respirators in dusty conditions
Hygiene measures: Wash hands after handling, do not smoke, eat, or drink in work area, shower and change work clothes following shift

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Powder, granule, or pellet form; colors range from pale yellow to grayish-white depending on compound
Odor: Slight sulfurous or characteristic rubber-like aroma
Melting point: Varies by compound, often in the range of 170–200°C
Boiling point: Not applicable or decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol or acetone
Vapor pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: Typically 1.4–1.5 g/cm³
Flash point: Greater than 150°C, non-flammable in normal use

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Possibility of hazardous reactions: Will not polymerize spontaneously, reacts with strong oxidizing agents or acids to form hazardous byproducts
Conditions to avoid: Exposure to heat, moisture, incompatible materials, direct sunlight
Hazardous decomposition products: Nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, irritating or toxic fumes

Toxicological Information

Likely routes of exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, accidental ingestion
Acute effects: Can cause skin and respiratory irritation, eye damage, and possible allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis
Chronic effects: Prolonged exposure can lead to sensitization, allergic asthma, and long-term skin conditions
Carcinogenicity: Some rubber accelerators have been linked to increased cancer risk with extended occupational exposure, check regulatory classification
Symptoms of overexposure: Redness, itchiness, coughing, headache, nausea
Toxicity data: LD₅₀ values for similar compounds usually in the range of 500–5000 mg/kg (oral, rat)

Ecological Information

Environmental impact: Toxic to aquatic life, particularly fish and invertebrates, due to solubility of byproducts or low-level leaching
Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, can persist in soil and sediment
Bioaccumulation: Some compounds show potential for bioaccumulation, risk to aquatic food chains
Wastewater considerations: Avoid discharge to surface water, prevent through containment, use properly permitted waste treatment systems

Disposal Considerations

Waste disposal methods: Collect contaminated material and waste in closed, labeled containers, send to licensed hazardous waste disposal facility
Sewage disposal: Do not release undiluted into drains or sewers, follow local environmental regulations
Container handling: Decontaminate before disposal if possible, otherwise treat as hazardous chemical waste
Special disposal instructions: Use professional waste contractors, track manifest for cradle-to-grave disposal

Transport Information

UN number: Most accelerators not classified as dangerous goods for ground transport, check specific UN number for regulated types—examples: UN3077 (environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s.)
Proper shipping name: Consult supplier or transport regulations, may state “Rubber chemicals, solid”
Hazard class: Non-regulated or Class 9 for environmental hazard, depending on accelerator type
Packing group: Usually III, if regulated
Transport labels: If regulated, label as Environmentally Hazardous Substance
Special precautions: Protect package from moisture, store away from foodstuffs during transit, secure against shifting and release

Regulatory Information

Workplace regulation: Controlled under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, subject to worker right-to-know laws, exposure must be kept below regulatory limits
Environmental regulation: Subject to EPA and local environmental protection guidelines, some accelerators listed on toxic substances inventories (TSCA, REACH)
Labeling requirements: GHS-compliant, warning symbols and statements must appear on packaging and shipping containers
Other global standards: Listed on chemical inventories such as EINECS, DSL, AICS; comply with international transport and workplace safety rules
Restrictions: Use may be restricted for sensitive populations or in environmentally protected areas, regular updates from regulatory agencies required