Sealants health hazards

Because of their excellent physical and chemical properties, such as high thermal and chemical stability and high dielectric constant, boiling point, and flame resisfance, PCBs were widely used in transformer oils, capacitors, heat-transfer and hydraulic fluids, vacuum pump fluids and lubricating oils. They are also used as plasticizers and adhesives, in surface coatings and sealants, and in paints, printing inks, and fire refardants. However, due to their health hazards, current production of these compounds has been drastically reduced. 

Four primary factors must be considered in all adhesive bonding or sealing operations toxicity, flammability, hazardous incompatibility, and equipment. The adhesive or sealant must be carefully considered because not only can it create health and safety issues within the factory but also it can provide issues within the community relative to release of volatiles and waste disposal. 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits highly toxic fumes of NOx NFPA Health 3, Flammability 1, Reactivity 1 Uses In mfg. of polyurethane foams, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, sealants crosslinking agent for nylon 6 solvent in food-pkg. adhesives... 

The choice of an adhesive or sealant for a specific situation will be governed by consideration of several key parameters in relation to the manufacturing process to be employed the setting time required, the initial performance requirements, the durability and ultimate performance requirements, the total product and process costs, and the associated health, safety, and environmental hazards associated with the product use. Additionally, sealants are most often selected on the basis of the intended joint movement accommodation requirement. 

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