Material Safety Data Sheet for Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

Identification

Product Name: Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
Chemical Family: Copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate
Common Uses: Packaging films, foam, hot melt adhesives, coatings, footwear, wire and cable insulation, toys
Supplier Identification: Manufacturer and distributor details, including address and emergency telephone number
Synonyms: EVA, ethene-vinyl acetate copolymer

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Physical Hazards: May form combustible dust concentrations in air; heated material can cause burns
Health Hazards: Dust may irritate eyes, skin, or respiratory tract; melted product may cause thermal burns
Label Elements: None required, though precautionary statements encouraged: avoid generating dust, avoid breathing fumes from heated product

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Composition: Copolymer containing ethylene (typically 60–90%), vinyl acetate (typically 10–40%)
CAS Number: 24937-78-8
Impurities/Additives: Minor residual catalysts and processing aids may be present in trace amounts

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical advice if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; if molten material contacts skin, cool with water—do not peel solidified polymer off skin; seek medical attention for burns
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; if symptoms persist, call a physician
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention if large amounts are swallowed or if discomfort occurs

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Combustible dust may form during handling; thermal decomposition can produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid
Protection for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear
Firefighting Procedures: Avoid breathing decomposition products; use water mist to cool containers

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid inhaling dust or fumes; use personal protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains or waterways
Methods for Clean-Up: Sweep or vacuum up material; avoid creating dust; place in suitable container for disposal; wash spill site after material pickup

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid contact with molten polymer; avoid generating dust; use with adequate ventilation; observe normal safety precautions for handling polymers
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, open flame, strong oxidizing agents; keep containers tightly closed
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers may cause violent reaction

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation to minimize dust and fumes; process enclosures when handling large quantities
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits for EVA; particulate exposure (dust) should be kept within general nuisance dust limits: Total dust (OSHA PEL: 15 mg/m³), Respirable fraction (OSHA PEL: 5 mg/m³)
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses with side-shields, gloves for handling hot material, dust mask or respirator during dust-generating operations, long-sleeved clothing
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands before eating or drinking; avoid rubbing eyes after handling

Physical and Chemical Properties

Form: Solid (pellets, granules, or powder)
Color: White to off-white, translucent
Odor: None or mild wax-like odor
Melting Point: 65–160°C, depending on vinyl acetate content
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in hot hydrocarbons and some organic solvents
Density: 0.92–0.95 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient conditions
Flash Point: > 300°C
Auto-Ignition Temperature: > 340–400°C
Explosion Limits: Not available; dusts may explode in certain conditions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and handling
Reactivity: No dangerous reactions expected under normal use
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flame, strong oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetic acid, traces of other organic compounds formed at high temperatures

Toxicological Information

Potential Routes of Exposure: Inhalation of dust/fumes, skin or eye contact
Acute Effects: Dust may irritate respiratory tract; hot material can cause burns
Chronic Effects: No known chronic health effects from solid EVA; fumes from overheating may cause discomfort, headaches, or dizziness
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Data: No data suggesting genotoxic, developmental, or reproductive toxicity in humans at normal exposure levels

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: No acute aquatic toxicity expected; not readily biodegradable
Persistence and Degradability: Material is persistent in the environment; very slow abiotic or microbial degradation
Bioaccumulation: Potential for bioaccumulation considered low, given size and insolubility
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, tends to remain at site of release
Other Adverse Effects: Can cause physical harm to wildlife by ingestion or entanglement; avoid release to nature

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Recycle if possible; remaining waste to be landfilled or incinerated at approved facilities
Disposal of Packaging: Clean, empty containers may be recycled; contaminated packaging is considered chemical waste
Regulatory Waste Codes: Not classified as hazardous waste under RCRA; local regulations may apply

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Avoid high stacking to prevent crushing of packaging during transit; protect from moisture and strong sunlight

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Not regulated as hazardous by OSHA
TSCA: Listed on U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH: Registered under European REACH regulation
RoHS: Compliant with EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
SARA Title III: Not subject to SARA Title III reporting
Canadian DSL: Listed
Other Regulations: Always review country-specific and local regulations before handling or disposal