Some Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (IPA in Italian, PAH in English, PAK in German) have been classified as “ probable human carcinogens”. According to the specific Regulations various IPA have been added in different lists. The European legislation asserts that the materials which contain more than the 0,1% (1000 ppm) of every combination of the IPA listed in the Directive 67/578/EC must be “R45” (carcinogenic) labelled. On the basis of these limits, none of the compound we use for production must be R45 labelled, because of the presence of carbon black. We would like to remind that the IPA put together with carbon black are not bioavailable and therefore not dangerous; the evidence is that (according to the legislation)carbon black can be used up to the 50% in weight in articles intended to get in contact with food and drinking water. In addition to the European legislation in the last years some important companies and certification organisations have defined their own regulations and determination methods (extractions with toluene and acetone, for instance). The result is that very often the use of the commercially available carbon black led to out of limit IPA values. For this reason, the search of compounds with the minimum content of IPA (it is impossible to assure an equal to zero content, even only for a contamination of the production machineries)has focused on free from carbon black compounds. Afterwards, one of the worldwide most important manufacturer of this substance has promoted a study with the aim to obtain a carbon black able to satisfy the conditions of content of IPA without compromising the physical-mechanical properties and the pressing and finishing characteristics. A new degree of carbon black has been available for some weeks, and it allows to considerably decrease the IPA content. In this way we can assure the requested values of the lists EPA and GADSL. As far as the GS Mark (Regulation ZEK 01-2008) is concerned, the limit of 0,2 for the category 1 is in no way achievable when there is the presence of carbon black and sometimes even if there is not: from the data you gave us the IPA content of the compound TEC H4 GI.70 yellow is equal to 1 ppm and that of the compound VMQ S2-70 is equal to 0,41 ppm. The requirements of the category 2 can be met with coloured compounds or with the new carbon black, as well as the requirements of the category 3, in some cases with standard compounds. On the basis of what we stated above we inform you that TECNOGOMMA INTERNATIONAL can formulate and supply compounds with a guaranteed maximum content of IPA. In some cases from now on we can assure the current standards concerning the physical-mechanical and pressing characteristics; otherwise it will be necessary an adjustment phase in co-operation with the customer.

20/11/2008
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (IPA-PAH-PAK)