GPS Safety Summary Reference No. : JIPS_MSP_SP-001EN

GPS/JIPS Safety Summary
1. PRODUCT NAME
Viscomate NP,BM Series

2. GENERAL STATEMENT
Viscomate is a polyacrylic acid-based water-soluble polymer used as a pharmaceutical (topicalapplication) ingredient and industrial thickener. Particularly, the partially neutralized product(acrylic acid/sodium acrylate copolymer) was developed using our proprietary technology. The NP
series is mainly used for poultices and cooling sheets, and is registered with the DMF in the U.S.
and has an Export Designated License (IDL) in China. Viscomet is not sold for use as a foodadditive or feed additive.

3. CHEMICAL IDENTITY
Item
Chemical or genericnameTrade nameSource/References

Description
Poly(sodium)acrylate
Viscomate NP,BM Series
Section 3 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

Composition
Product/ingredient
name%Chemical Formula

Methanol

<0.3

CH3OH

Water

≤5

H2O

Polyacrylic acid partiallyneutralized product≥94-(CH2CHCOOX)n (X=Na, with some H)

Acrylic acid

<1

C3H4O2Other No.
Japan: Chemical
Substances Control Law
Japan: Industrial Safety
and Health Act(1)-210existing chemical
substance――(6)-901
existing chemical
substance(2)-984
existing chemical
substance

CAS No.

67-56-1
7732-18-5
9033-79-8

79-10-7

4. USES AND APPLICATIONS
Main uses

Being hydrophilic, the substance is used as a thickening agent for various
types of solutions. It is also used as a topical agent in cosmetic poultices
or cooling sheets etc.

5. PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIESThe sodium salt of acrylic acid polymerization is a white powder at room temperature.
Appearance
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Color
Odor
pH
Melting point/Boilingpoint
Flammability
Auto-ignition
temperature
Decomposition
temperature
Solubility

white
No data available
5.5 – 8.0 (0.2% aqueous solution)
No data available
Non flammable
430℃
≥400℃
Water: No data available. Over 10% of water becomes jelly and unable tohandle as liquid.
Other solvent: Insoluble in methanol, ethylene glycol, dimethylformamide
etc.

Partition coefficient noctanol/water(Log No data available
Pow)
Explosive limits (g/m³) Not dust explosive
Sources/references
Section 9 and 10 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

6. HEALTH EFFECTS
Effect assessment
Acute toxicity (oral)
Acute toxicity (dermal)
Acute toxicity (inhalation: gas)
Acute toxicity (inhalation: vapours)
Acute toxicity (inhalation: dust, mist)
Skin corrosion/irritation
Serious eye damage/eye irritation,
Respiratory sensitisation

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Not classified
Not classified
Not applicable
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Category 2 Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Classification not possible

Skin sensitisation
Germ cell mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive toxicity
Specific target organ toxicity — Single exposure,Specific target organ toxicity (repeatedexposure)
Aspiration hazard
Sources/references

Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Section 2 and 11 of SDS issued by Resonac
Corporation• GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals): A system that classifies chemicals
according to the type and degree of hazards, labels the information, and provides safety data sheets according to
globally harmonized rules.
• Not applicable: Since the priority of physical state, chemical structure, chemical property, and hazard items used in
the GHS classification procedures does not fall under the category, it is not subject to the classification for the
category.
• Not classified: Sufficient information has been obtained to implement the GHS classification, and as a result of theclassification, it does not fall under any of the hazard categories specified in the GHS. It is considered to be a lower
hazard.
• Classification not possible : There is not enough information for GHS classification, and classification is not possible.

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7. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Effect assessment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, shortterm (acute)Hazardous to the aquatic environment, longterm (chronic)
Hazardous to the ozone layer
Sources/references

Results （GHS Hazard Classification）
Category 3
Hazardous to the aquatic environment
Classification not possible
Classification not possible
Sections 2 and 12 of the SDS issued by
Resonac Corporation

Environmental fate/dynamics
Mobility in soil
Methanol: Koc=1
Acrylic acid: Koc = 43, 1
Persistence/degradability
Methanol: Biodegradability test (2 weeks) Readily biodegradable
Acrylic acid: Degradability test (2 weeks) Readily biodegradable
Bioaccumulation potential
Methanol: BCF=0.01-0.51, 0.2
Acrylic acid: BCF = 3.2 (estimated as low bioaccumulation
potential)
Conclusion about
The criteria for persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT;PBT/vPvB
remaining persistently in the environment and possessing highbioaccumulation potential and toxicity) and very persistent andvery bioaccumulative (vPvB; remaining very persistently in theenvironment and possessing very high bioaccumulation potential)
chemicals are believed to inapplicable.
Sources/references
Sections 12 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation

8. EXPOSURE
DetalsOccupational exposures

Consumer exposures

Environmental exposures

Exposure potentials through main uses
When handling powders of the substance under normal
temperatures, workers could be exposed through oral ingestion,
contact with the skin, or inhalation if dust is generated during
mixing/blending, measuring, packing, unpacking and otherprocesses involving the substance. The substance could irritate
respiratory tracts when its high-density dusts are inhaled, andcould also affect the eyes and skin in the event of direct contact.
There is the potential for exposure through oral, dermal or
inhalation by workers engaged in maintenance, sampling, filling,
and discharging tasks, and at times of equipment failure, in batchand other processes.
Sodium salt of acrylic acid polymerization is used as a source
material for medical and pharmaceutical products (mainly external
preparations) as well as cosmetic products, and an industrial
thickening agent. The possibility that consumers could be exposed
through oral, dermal or inhalation is believed to be low. However,respiratory tracts could be irritated if its high-density dusts areinhaled, and the eyes and skin could also be affected upon directcontact.
There is the potential for discharge of the substance mainly into
the air and aquatic environment from the manufacturing andusage processes. Although environmental exposure is possible, no
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Precautions

specific environmental effects have been observed as mentioned
in Section 7 Environmental Effects.
If there is a possibility of exposure in other uses, take appropriate
measures with reference to recommended risk management
measures.

9. RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended risk management measures can minimize risks to workers, consumers, and theenvironment from Section 8 exposure scenarios.
DetalsWorkerConsumer

Environment

Risk management recommendations
Technical measures:
Carry out exhaust ventilation in order to keep a concentration of
the substance in the air below the exposure limit value. Install
eyewash fountains and safety showers at manufacturing places
where the product is stored or handled.
Local and general ventilation:
It is required to manage and control an environmental concentrationof the substance to keep it below the following recommended value
by installing local ventilation and others at manufacturing places orplaces using the substance.
Occupational exposure limits:
The Japan Society for Occupational Health (2022) recommends"inhalable dust: 2 mg/m3 " and "total dust: 8 mg/m3 (Class 3dust)" as the recommended values of allowable concentration in
the work environment.
・Methanol: Controlled concentration 200ppm, Japan Society for
Occupational Health Permissible concentration 200ppm(260mg/m3) (Skin), ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists) TLV-TWA (time weighted average value)
200ppm, STEL (short time exposure limit) 250ppm, (Skin)
・Acrylic acid: ACGIH TLV-TWA 200m, (Skin)
Manage and control the system so that it stays below these values.
Protective equipment:
When working, wear a dust-proof respirator or simple dust mask as
respiratory protection, rubber protective gloves as hand protection,
appropriate eye protection, and normal work clothes as skin andbody protection.
Precautions:
The operation manager should educate operators about the
selection of appropriate protective equipment, proper usage
method, and control method of the work site.
It is believed that end-products, which are commerciallydistributed, could not contain powders. However, if they do, take aprecaution not to inhale carelessly their dusts and not to belargely exposed to their dusts on skin.
In order to prevent environmental exposures, implement
preventive measures against leakage into rivers, water channels,
and sewerage trenches, and pay attention to the daily
management and handling of the substance.

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Special notes (emergency
measures in case of leakage,etc.)

Precautions

In the case that the substance is in powdery form, wear
appropriate protective gear and collect the substance as powder
by using a broom or vacuum cleaner. If the substance turns into aliquid with high viscosity after absorbing water, wear disposable
rubber gloves and other protective gear when collecting it.
Further, in the case of a liquid with low viscosity, wear protective
gear and collect it by absorbing with a waste cloth or paper towel.
For normal handling, emergency response, disposal, andtransportation control measures, refer to sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13,
and 14 of the SDS issued by Resonac Corporation.

10. STATE AGENCY REVIEW
Hazard assessment
International Chemical
Safety Cards

Situations of review
International Chemical Safety Card
Methanolhttps://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=ja&p_card_id=0057&p_version=2
Acrylic acidhttps://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=ja&p_card_id=0688&p_version=2

OECD HPVHigh production volume chemical testing program
Methanol, Acrylic acidhttps://hpvchemicals.oecd.org/UI/Search.aspx

NITE-CHRIP（NITE Chemical
Risk Information Platform）
GHS Classification Resultsby the Japanese
Government

https://www.nite.go.jp/en/chem/chrip/chrip_search/srhInput
Sodium salt of acrylic acid polymerization
https://www.nite.go.jp/chem/ghs/15-mhlw-0134.html
Methanolhttps://www.nite.go.jp/chem/ghs/09-mhlw-2012.html
Acrylic acidhttps://www.nite.go.jp/chem/ghs/14-mhlw-2001.html

11. REGULATORY INFORMATION／GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING INFORMATION
Regulatory information only in Japan
Applicable laws
Regulatory situations
Act on the Regulation of
Manufacture and Evaluationof Chemical Substances
Industrial Safety and
Health Act

Priority assessment chemical substances（Article 2-5 of the Act）
sodium salt of acrylic acid polymerization
methanolacrylic acid
Working environment assessment standard (Article 65-2,
Paragraph 1 of the Act)methanolDangerous or Harmful Substances Subject to Be Indicated theirDangerous Articles and Harmful Substances Whose Names, etc.
Should Be Notified（Article 57-2 of the Act, Article 18-2 item(ⅰ)
and item(ⅱ) appended Table No. 9 of the Enforcement Order）
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Poisonous and Deleterious
Substances Control Act
Water Pollution Prevention
Actmethanol（Cabinet Order Number : 560）
Not applicable
Designated substances（Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Acｔ, Article
3-3 of the Enforcement Order）
acrylic acid

Fire Service Act

Not applicable（Non-hazardous materials）

Air Pollution Control Act

Specified Substances (Article 17, Paragraph 1 of the Law, Article
10 of the Cabinet Order)
methanol
Volatile organic compound, Article 2 paragraph 4 of the Act(Notification from the Ministry of the Environment to Prefectures)volatile organic compound

Act on Prevention of Marine
Pollution and Maritime
Disaster
Act on Control of Export,
Import and Others ofSpecified Hazardous Wastes
and Other Wastes（BaselLaw）
Act on the Assessment of
Releases of Specified
Chemical Substances in theEnvironment and thePromotion of Management
Improvement and Transfer
Register / PRTR)

Hazardous liquid substances (Class Y substances) (appended Table
1 of the Enforcement Ordinance)methanolacrylic acidHazardous substances contained in waste（Article 2 paragraph 1
item 1-a of the Act, June 18, 2018 Ordinance of the Ministry of theEnvironment No. 12）
Substances containing organic solvents listed in (a)Substances containing organic solvents other than those listed in(a) or (b)Not applicable

Labor Standards Act

Occupational disease chemicals (Article 75, paragraph 2 of the Act,
Enforcement Ordinance Article 35, Appended Table 1-2, Item (4)1)
methyl alcohol
Act on Securing Quality,
Pharmaceutical Excipients ： Listed in Japanese pharmaceutical
excipients
Efficacy and Safety ofJapanese Standards of Quasi-drug Ingredients: Listed in the
Products Including
Pharmaceuticals and Medical ingredient list and additive list
Devices
UN classification

Not applicable

Hazards
Health hazards

Classification results (hazard information)
Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, short-term (acute)
Category 3

Environmental hazards

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Labelling Information
Hazard pictograms (GHS)

Signal word (GHS)
Hazard statements (GHS)

warning
Causes serious eye irritation. (H319)
Harmful to aquatic life (H402)

12. CONTACT INFORMATION
Company
Address
Departments
Tel. / Email address

Resonac Corporation
Tokyo Shiodome Building, 1-9-1, Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-7325, Japan
Functional Chemicals Business Unit,
Specialty Chemicals Department+81-3-6263-8113 / rec_pcg@resonac.com

13. DATE OF ISSUE / REVISION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Date of issue: September 30, 2013
Revisions:
Date of revision
Revised section
October 31, 2023
2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12,
13.

Revised item
update to the latest information

Versionrev.2

The contents are based on the safety data sheet (SDS) revised on July 1, 2023.
Special instructions:
Scope of application: Applies to Viscomate NP-600, NP-700, NP-800, BM-70, and P-NH.

14. DISCLAIMER
The safety summary is part of the effort for the voluntary management of chemical substance inthe chemical industry (GPS/JIPS: Japan Initiative of Product Stewardship). The purpose of thesafety summary is to provide information on the safe handling of the product as an overview andnot to provide professional information, such as the risk evaluation process and its impact onhuman health and the environment. This document is not meant to serve as an alternative to risk
evaluation, such as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or a Chemical Safety Report (CSR). This safetysummary is being written as accurately as possible based on data such as laws, materials, andinformation available at the time of publication, but it does not include all data. It does notguarantee anything.

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