0% found this document useful (0 votes)
49 views3 pages

Vulkacit Merkapto Safety Overview

Uploaded by

Shubham Gupta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • Accidental Releases,
  • Chemical Exposure,
  • Liability Disclaimer,
  • Invertebrate Toxicity,
  • Mildewicide,
  • Environmental Impact,
  • Respiratory Protection,
  • Eye Protection,
  • Chemical Breakdown,
  • Technical Assistance
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
49 views3 pages

Vulkacit Merkapto Safety Overview

Uploaded by

Shubham Gupta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • Accidental Releases,
  • Chemical Exposure,
  • Liability Disclaimer,
  • Invertebrate Toxicity,
  • Mildewicide,
  • Environmental Impact,
  • Respiratory Protection,
  • Eye Protection,
  • Chemical Breakdown,
  • Technical Assistance

Product Safety Assessment

Vulkacit Merkapto

This document provides a brief description of Vulkacit Merkapto, its uses, and the potential hazards
associated with short and long term exposure. Environmental impact information for accidental
releases is included. This information is general in nature and is not intended as a replacement for the
safety data sheet (SDS), product label and other safe handling literature. For additional information
consult the LANXESS safety data sheet.

Identification
Product Name: Vulkacit Merkapto
Chemical Name: 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole
Synonym(s): 2(3H)-Benzothiazolethione
2-Benzothiazolethiol
Benzothiazole-2-thiol
MBT
CAS Number: 149-30-4

Description
Overview: Vulkacit Merkapto is a yellow solid at ambient temperatures. The
chemical is sold by LANXESS in powder form with a mild, pungent odor.
Uses: Vulkacit Merkapto is manufactured by LANXESS for use as a
vulcanization accelerator in the production of tires and other rubber
products. The chemical is also used as a mildewicide in the manufacture
of textiles, paper sizings and water-based adhesives; and as a corrosion
inhibitor in cutting oils and petroleum products.
Properties: Melting Point: >358°F (181°C)
Flash Point: 392°F (200°C)
Solubility in Water: Low

Last Revised: August 2015 Page 1 of 3


Product Safety Assessment: Vulkacit Merkapto

Potential Human Health Effects


Occupational Exposure
Potential for exposure exists during manufacture, at transloading facilities, during transfers to
storage or staging areas and—in its application as a vulcanization accelerator in the production of
rubber—during the charging of mixers.
Employee Training
Workers handling Vulkacit Merkapto are trained to implement proper handling procedures and to
understand the potential health and physical hazards of this product. NOISH approved, air-
purifying particulate respirators are recommended for product handlers. In addition, LANXESS
recommends that workers wear goggles, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and gloves when
handling Vulkacit Merkapto to minimize skin and eye contact. Organic vapor respirators and
engineering or process controls may be necessary in operations where the chemical is heated to
thermal decomposition.
Consumer Exposure
LANXESS Corporation does not sell this product to the general public. Rubber goods using Vulkacit
Merkapto as an accelerator retain the substance in encapsulated form in the final product. Persons
susceptible to allergic skin reactions may experience “tennis shoe” dermatitis as a result of direct
skin contact with shoes, elastic waistbands and other products containing the chemical. Skin
irritation is typically temporary.
Short-Term Health Effects
Short-term contact with Vulkacit Merkapto may cause mild skin or eye irritation. Inhalation of
Vulkacit Merkapto dust may cause respiratory tract irritation, with symptoms of coughing and a sore
throat. Susceptible individuals may experience an allergic reaction from direct skin contact, with
symptoms of redness, itching, swelling and rash. Vulkacit Merkapto is not expected to be harmful if
swallowed.
Long-Term Health Effects
Long-term or repeated contact with Vulkacit Merkapto may cause skin sensitization.

Physical Hazards
Vulkacit Merkapto is a stable, non-volatile solid at room temperature. Avoid contact with strong
oxidizing agents. Large concentrations of Vulkacit Merkapto dust may be explosive. Exposure to
heat, open flames and other potential sources of ignition should be avoided.

Potential Environmental Impact


Vulkacit Merkapto is not biodegradable but the chemical does break down into biodegradable
substances with prolonged exposure to water and/or light. Vulkacit Merkapto may pose a potential
danger to fish (slight toxicity), invertebrates (moderate to high toxicity) and aquatic plants (moderate
to high toxicity) prior to degrading. Accumulation in the environment is not expected.

Last Revised: August 2015 Page 2 of 3


Product Safety Assessment: Vulkacit Merkapto

Conclusion
Under normal conditions of anticipated use as described in this Product Safety Assessment, and if
the recommended safe use and handling procedures are followed, Vulkacit Merkapto is not
expected to pose a significant risk to human health or the environment.

References
International Chemical Safety Card, International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS), VULKACIT MERKAPTO, LANXESS Corporation
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National
Institutes of Health
ToxNet Hazardous Substances Data Bank, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes
of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Contact Information
LANXESS Corporation, Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs, 111 RIDC Park West Drive,
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1112, USA, Phone 1-800-526-9377 [1-800-LANXESS]

Notices
Use and Application Information
The conditions of your use and application of our products, technical assistance and information
(whether verbal, written or by way of production evaluation(s)), including any suggested
formulations and recommendations, are beyond our control. Therefore, it is imperative that you test
our products, technical assistance and information to determine to your own satisfaction whether
they are suitable for your intended uses and applications. This application-specific analysis at least
must include testing to determine suitability from a technical as well as health, safety, and
environmental standpoint. Such testing has not necessarily been done by LANXESS. All
information is given without warranty or guarantee. It is expressly understood and agreed that
customer assumes and hereby expressly releases LANXESS from all liability, in tort, contract or
otherwise, incurred in connection with the use of our products and information. Any statement or
recommendation not contained herein is unauthorized and shall not bind LANXESS Corporation.
Nothing herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use any product in violation of any
patent covering any material or its use. No permission or license to use any patent is implied or in
fact granted by this publication.

Last Revised: August 2015 Page 3 of 3

Common questions

Powered by AI

Workers handling Vulkacit Merkapto should be trained to implement proper handling procedures to mitigate potential health and physical hazards. They should wear protective equipment, including NOISH approved air-purifying particulate respirators, goggles, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and gloves, to minimize skin and eye contact. In operations where the chemical is heated to thermal decomposition, organic vapor respirators and engineering or process controls may also be necessary .

Long-term or repeated exposure to Vulkacit Merkapto may lead to skin sensitization, which occurs when an individual becomes progressively more prone to allergic reactions with each additional exposure. The sensitization process involves skin reactions that include redness, itching, swelling, and rash, potentially developing into a more persistent allergic condition over time .

Vulkacit Merkapto poses an environmental risk due to its potential toxicity to aquatic life, including slight toxicity to fish and moderate to high toxicity to invertebrates and aquatic plants. However, the risk is mitigated because, although Vulkacit Merkapto is not inherently biodegradable, it does break down into biodegradable substances upon prolonged exposure to water and/or light. This degradation reduces its environmental impact over time and prevents accumulation in the environment .

Vulkacit Merkapto is a stable, non-volatile solid at room temperature with a low solubility in water, a melting point over 358°F (181°C), and a flash point of 392°F (200°C). These properties require it to be handled with care to avoid dust accumulation and ignition. It should be stored away from heat and open flames and not in contact with strong oxidizing agents, reflecting its stability and potential explosiveness in large dust concentrations .

Vulkacit Merkapto is typically used in the rubber manufacturing industry as a vulcanization accelerator for the production of tires and rubber products. Additionally, it serves as a mildewicide in the manufacture of textiles, paper sizings, and water-based adhesives. It is also used as a corrosion inhibitor in cutting oils and petroleum products .

When handling large concentrations of Vulkacit Merkapto dust, it is crucial to avoid ignition sources as the dust may be explosive. Measures should include maintaining a dust-free environment, using adequate ventilation, and keeping the material away from strong oxidizing agents, heat, and open flames to prevent ignition and ensure safe handling .

LANXESS emphasizes the importance of application-specific testing by noting that use conditions and application information are beyond their control. They stress that it is imperative for customers to verify the suitability of their products for intended applications through technical, health, safety, and environmental testing. This testing is crucial as it hasn't necessarily been conducted by LANXESS, and they disclaim liability for issues arising from improper use, underscoring the need for thorough and specific evaluation before using the product .

For workers exposed to Vulkacit Merkapto during processes that might lead to thermal decomposition, it is recommended to use organic vapor respirators along with standard protective equipment such as NOISH approved air-purifying particulate respirators, goggles, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and gloves. Additionally, implementing engineering or process controls to minimize exposure to fumes is critical .

Vulkacit Merkapto itself is not biodegradable; however, with prolonged exposure to water and/or light, it decomposes into substances that are biodegradable. This attribute means that, while direct disposal in the environment might initially pose risks to aquatic life, over time, its environmental footprint is reduced as it breaks down, providing some assurance in environmental management and mitigation of long-term ecological impact .

Consumer exposure to Vulkacit Merkapto is limited because LANXESS Corporation does not sell it to the general public, and rubber goods incorporating it retain the substance in encapsulated form, minimizing direct contact. However, individuals sensitive to Vulkacit Merkapto may experience "tennis shoe" dermatitis through skin contact with items like shoes or elastic bands containing the chemical. Symptoms of this may include temporary skin irritation such as redness and itching .

You might also like