Product Handling Guide
Conformity to Foodstuff Regulations
The polymer material produced and marketed by GAIL is classified under general category of Polyolefin and specific category of Polyethylene.
- The chemical structure is (-CH2-CH2-)n with CAS No.9002-88-4.
- The material conforms to BIS-10146-82 - Polyethylene for its safe use in CONTACT with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water and tested as per guidelines of BIS 9845 -1998 (second revision).
- The additional substances like anti-oxidant used in the manufacture of grades are selected from the BIS-10141-82 list. Provided that the principles of sound manufacturing practice are adhered to, there are no objections to the use of these grades in the production of articles intended for food CONTACT applications.
The converter or packer must check the suitability of the articles for the application concerned, including their effect on the smell and taste of the contents and global migration in individual cases.
Substances that migrate through the swells of the container made out of GAIL material may affect the smell or taste of the food. The effects of oxygen permeation and light may also spoil the food. Therefore, for each new application, the food packer must carry out storage trials and, if necessary, vary the packaging processing conditions, wall thickness, coloration, etc.
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Health & Safety Data
- No decomposition at room temperature and does not release any health hazardous material. If they are completely burned, carbon dioxide and water are formed. If combustion is incomplete carbon monoxide is given off. The fumes also contain traces of unburned primary decomposition product like hydrocarbons and their oxidation products. The toxicity of the fumes is governed by the carbon monoxide content. This situation is comparable to the combustion of wood.
- There is hardly any decomposition if the finished goods are kept for several years at temperature below 50 degree C and if direct solar radiation is excluded. Products that do not contain UV-stabilisers are degraded by sunlight. UV-stabilised grades undergo hardly any changes if they are exposed to sunlight, even for some years; the affectivity depends on the efficiency of the UV-stabiliser.
- Scrap obtained from a particular production can be recycled after they have been cleaned, and if necessary restabilised. If the parts have been produced from various materials, they must be homogenised beforehand in a twin-screw extruder.
- Avoid strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fuming sulphuric acid and halogens. These agents cause swelling of the material leading to loss of mechanical strength.
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Safety Precautions in Processing
Gaseous products of decomposition may be given off in all processing and ancillary processing techniques whenever hot polyethylene melts are exposed directly to the atmosphere. If they are present in high concentration they may cause irritation of the mucous membranes.
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Preventive Measures
- Ventilate work place and install exhaust fans direct on the processing lines
- Avoid overheating the melt. Processor must not clean the machinery by burner or any type of open flame. If this is unavoidable, install exhaust fans
- Observe legislation on emission control and air pollution prevention.
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Emergency & First Aid
- Water, foam, carbon dioxide powder may be use in case of fire
- Water jet may be avoided initially to restrict flying of flame
- In case of spills sweep, shovel or vacuum clean the space and store in a container for reuse or disposal
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Manufacturers/Supplier's Data
GAIL (India) Ltd.
GAIL Bhavan,
16, Bhikaiji Cama Place,
R.K.Puram,
New Delhi - 110066.
TELEPHONE: +91 11 26172580
Website: http:// gailonline.com
GAIL Polymer Technology Center
GAIL (India)Limited.
B-35/36, Sector-1
NOIDA - 201301 (UP) INDIA
TELEPHONE: 91-120-2515349,25111129, 2549155, 2549210
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