Wholesale workers are not expected to encounter exposure to the notified polymer during packing and handling of ink bottles containing the notified polymer in ink formulations except in case of an accident. Overall, the notified polymer is not anticipated to lead to an unacceptable risk to workers in industrial printing operations. 6.3.2. Public health Neither the inks containing the notified polymer nor substrates containing the cured ink will be sold to the public. Therefore, the risk to public health is not expected based on the low potential for exposure. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS 7.1. Environmental Exposure & Fate Assessment 7.1.1 Environmental Exposure The notified polymer will not be manufactured or reformulated within . Therefore, release may only occur during a transport accident and handling of the imported formulated products, and as such is not expected to be significant. Some release is expected to occur during the printing process via cleaning and maintenance operations and small spills. It is expected these residues will be disposed of to landfill. The formulated products containing the notified polymer will be applied to a variety of substrates including paper materials using industrial inkjet printers. The applied notified polymer is expected to be trapped in the ink matrix with other components of the ink. The majority of the notified polymer is expected to be disposed of to landfill and is expected to remain associated with the substrate to which it has been applied. Of the notified polymer applied to paper, 50% is expected to be recycled. During recycling processes, waste paper is repulped using a variety of chemical agents which, amongst other things, enhance detachment of toner from the fibres. 7.1.2 Environmental fate The results of a biodegradability study on the notified polymer submitted, indicated that the polymer is not readily biodegradable. Refer to Appendix B for details of this study. The small amount of notified polymer washed to the sewers as a result of paper recycling is expected to be removed in sewage treatment plants by adsorption to solids based on its estimated high log Pow values, low water solubility and high molecular weight (MW > 1000). In landfill the notified polymer is expected to degrade slowly via biotic and abiotic processes over time to form predominantly simple organic compounds and water. Leaching of the notified polymer into water is not likely due to its expected low water solubility and high adsorption/desorption coefficient. 7.1.3 Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC)
Hazard category Hazard statement Skin irritant 2 Causes skin irritation Eye irritant 1 Causes serious eye damage Human health risk assessment Under the conditions of the occupational settings described, the notified polymer is not considered to pose an unacceptable risk to the health of workers. When used in the proposed manner, the notified polymer is not considered to pose an unacceptable risk to public health. Environmental risk assessment On the basis of the reported use pattern, the notified polymer is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. Recommendations Hazard Classification and Labelling Safe Work Australia, should consider the following health hazard classification for the notified polymer: R38 Irritating to skin R41 Risk of serious damage to eyes Use the following risk phrases for products/mixtures containing the notified polymer: conc. ≥ 20%: R41 Risk of serious damage to eyes; R38 Irritating to skin ≥ 10% conc. < 20%: R41 Risk of serious damage to eyes ≥ 5% conc. < 10%: R36 Irritating to eyes Occupational Health and Safety Employers should implement the following safe work practices to minimise occupational exposure during handling of the notified polymer as introduced in the HP Scitex Printer Ink Series products: Avoid contact with skin and eyes A copy of the MSDS should be easily accessible to employees. If products and mixtures containing the notified polymer are classified as hazardous to health in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004)] workplace practices and control procedures consistent with provisions of State and Territory hazardous substances legislation must be in operation. Guidance in selection of personal protective equipment can be obtained from Australian, Australian/New Zealand or other approved standards. Disposal The notified polymer should be disposed of to landfill. Emergency procedures Spills or accidental release of the notified polymer should be handled by physical containment, collection and subsequent safe disposal. Regulatory Obligations Secondary Notification