Therefore, it is important that adequate ventilation and proper operating conditions be provided and periodically checked to ensure that no hazardous fumes are present in the work area. In the event of a fire, personnel entering the area should use a fresh air supply. All types of extinguishers including water, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, and foam can be used to fight fires involving these polyethylene resins. An electrostatic charge can potentially build up when pouring powder or pellets. Combustion and Pyrolysis Thermal decomposition of polyolefin resin produces fumes that can be potentially hazardous.
Decomposition is a function of both processing temperature and time at that temperature.
Some decomposition can occur below the recommended processing temperature limits for DuPont polyolefin resins. Toxicity Polyethylene, in film or fiber form, has been used for more than 25 years in fabrics, industrial applications, and food packaging. Based on this, and other data, the Food and Drug Administration has cleared polyethylene for use in packaging all types of food. Other toxicological investigations, including human skin patch testing, have shown polyethylene resins are not a primary skin irritant or sensitizer. They conform to FDA regulation 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers.