The CORTERRA* Polymers Product Stewardship programme is consistent with the principles of Responsible Care® and makes health, safety and environmental considerations an integral part of designing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, recycling and disposing of PTT polymers. The programme covers all stages of a product's life. Implementation is a shared responsibility between Shell chemicals companies and their customers.
The following frequently asked questions provide additional information about HSSE issues linked to the PTT polymer products:
Can fibres made from CORTERRA Polymers be recycled?
Are there any special health or safety issues to consider when processing CORTERRA Polymers?
Could I be exposed to any potentially hazardous compounds while processing CORTERRA Polymers?
What do I do if exposed to acrolein?
What are the most likely places for acrolein to evolve?
Are there other points of potential exposure to acrolein?
Is acrolein evolved when the polymer thermally degrades?
If I smell acrolein am I being over-exposed?
Is acrolein given off under ambient conditions?
How do I detect acrolein in the workplace?
Is there any exposure to acrolein from the polymer chips when they are hot, like being discharged from the dryer?
Are there any special precautions to prevent exposure to acrolein when cleaning spinnerets?
Is the PTT polymer stabilised?
How much acrolein am I exposed to when I smoke a cigarette?
How do I dispose of PTT scrap?
Are any toxic chemicals generated when PTT burns?
What are the risks in using PTT fibres after the fibres are generated?
Are there any known risks with skin contact with PTT fibres?
Can fibres made from CORTERRA Polymers be recycled?
Fibres made from CORTERRA Polymers, including both carpet and textile fibres, have the potential to be easily recycled once an industry recycling programme is put in place.
Are there any special health or safety issues to consider when processing CORTERRA Polymers?
While the processing of any polymer carries with it an inherent degree of risk, CORTERRA Polymers present no new hazards over other polymers such as nylon or PET. If you're already processing these materials, the same basic health and safety considerations apply to processing CORTERRA Polymers.
Could I be exposed to any potentially hazardous compounds while processing CORTERRA Polymers?
CORTERRA Polymers can produce acrolein and allyl alcohol fumes in small amounts during processing. These fumes are only generated where the polymer is exposed to high temperature and is accelerated by exposure to oxygen. They are not present in detectable quantities at room temperature.
What do I do if exposed to acrolein?
If you notice any of the symptoms of acrolein exposure (irritated or burning eyes or throat), get to fresh air. The symptoms will go away in a few hours. There are no known cumulative effects of acrolein exposure.
What are the most likely places for acrolein to evolve?
Based on previous studies, there are three common areas where acrolein has been found. At the spinnerets, in the dryer vent exhaust, and above the polymer "piles" during startup. Adequate ventilation must be provided to remove the acrolein vapors from these areas.
Are there other points of potential exposure to acrolein?
There can be, depending on the process. Anytime you have heat and PTT, there is the potential for acrolein exposure. The more heat and oxygen, the faster acrolein can be generated. Areas not usually anticipated include filters that need to be changed, automatic screen changers, and areas with a slow leak. Also, if equipment is opened for repair or cleaning while hot, there is the potential for acrolein exposure.
Is acrolein evolved when the polymer thermally degrades?
Yes, some acrolein is generated by the thermal degradation of the polymer. But this is not the major decomposition product. Like most polymers, the polymer chain breaks in many different ways giving off a mixture of decomposition products. Acrolein is one of them.
If I smell acrolein am I being over-exposed?
Yes, the odour threshold (lowest level that a normal person can smell acrolein) is 2 ppm. This is above the OSHA permissible exposure level.
Is acrolein given off under ambient conditions?
Yes, but in extremely small amounts. There is a small amount of acrolein (2ppm) dissolved in the polymer. This acrolein likes to stay in the polymer and is next to impossible to remove (we try hard to remove it). It will slowly diffuse out of the polymer at room temperature and could collect in the headspace of containers if given enough time (several days to weeks). For this reason, always open CORTERRA Polymer containers in a well-ventilated area.
How do I detect acrolein in the workplace?
We have not found any direct reading measurement device that will detect acrolein at concentrations below 1ppm. Currently, the only way we know to determine if there is exposure below 2ppm is to do industrial hygiene monitoring.
Is there any exposure to acrolein from the polymer chips when they are hot, like being discharged from the dryer?
Yes, anytime the polymer is heated above room temperature the rate of acrolein evolution increases. Make sure that there is adequate ventilation when the polymer is hot.
Are there any special precautions to prevent exposure to acrolein when cleaning spinnerets?
Make sure the ovens are vented to the outside and that the ventilation is adequate to keep the fumes from entering the oven room or building.
Is the PTT polymer stabilised?
Yes, Shell Chemicals has developed a special stabiliser for PTT that greatly reduces the amount of acrolein generated during thermal decomposition of the polymer. This stabilisation is effective at temperatures well above the melt temperature and is active for days at these temperatures.
How much acrolein am I exposed to when I smoke a cigarette?
The amount of acrolein generated is highly dependent on many factors like the type of cigarette, type (if any) of filter and how deeply you inhale. However, a typical cigarette will generate about 1mg of acrolein. That translates to a concentration of about 1 to 2 ppm (volume) in the smoke. If you take five minutes to smoke one cigarette, on average, you will exceed the OSHA exposure limit for those five minutes.
How do I dispose of PTT scrap?
You must comply with all Federal, State and Local regulations covering the disposal of industrial waste. However, PTT scrap is usually classified as a non-hazardous waste and can usually be landfilled or burned.
Are any toxic chemicals generated when PTT burns?
Yes, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and smoke are the toxic chemicals that kill people in fires. PTT, as with any organic material (like wood), will generate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and smoke. These are the chemicals that represent the danger in a fire. Other toxic chemicals (like acrolein) are generated but their concentrations are low compared to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
What are the risks in using PTT fibres after the fibres are generated?
Based on studies done to date, PTT fibre brings no new risks to the fibre processing industries. We have looked for and have not been able to detect acrolein in any downstream fibre process. Therefore, we believe that the risk of using PTT fibre is no greater than other synthetic fibres (like PET, nylon, and polypropylene).
Are there any known risks with skin contact with PTT fibres?
None are known. We have conducted extensive animal and human tests and have not found any reaction or sensitisation to PTT in any physical form.
