Polyethylene
Agent Name
Polyethylene
CAS Number
9002-88-4
Formula
(C2-H4)x
Major Category
Plastics & Rubber
Synonyms
Alathon 7140; Alathon 7511; Alcowax 6; Aldyl A; Alithon 7050; Alkathene; Allied PE 617; Alphex FIT 221; Ambythene; Amoco 610A4; BPE-I; Bakelite DFD 330; Bakelite DHDA 4080; Bakelite DYNH; Bareco polywax 2000; Bareco wax C 7500; Bicolene C; Bralen KB 2-11; Bulen A; Carlona PXB; Courlene-X3; Epolene C; Epolene E; Epolene N; Etherin; Ethylene polymer; Grex; HI-Fax; Hizex; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Polymers
Description
White powder (microbeads); [CAMEO]
Sources/Uses
Different forms of polyethylene include cross-linked, low-density, high-density, and low-molecular-weight. Uses include wire and cable coatings and insulation, pipe and molded fittings, packaging film, paper coating, lining for drums, toys, refuse and waste bags, squeeze bottles, electrical insulation, blow-molded or injection-molded film, sheet, fibers, and gasoline containers. The low-molecular-weight form of polyethylene is used in mold-release agents for rubber and plastics, for paper and textile coatings, and in liquid polishes. [Hawley]
Comments
Occupational asthma reported in paper packer after exposure to heated polyethylene; [Malo] No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; [ICSC] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mice) = 1,200 mg/m3/30min
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 430 deg F;
Adverse Effects
Asthma
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: