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`Product Stewardship Summary
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`Product Name
`Zinc Pyrithione
`Synonyms
`Zinc 2- pyridinethiol- 1 –oxide
`CAS Name
`Bis(1-hydroxy-2(1H)-
`pyridinethionato-o,s)-T-4)zinc
`13463-41-7
`236-671-3
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`August 2008
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`CAS Number
`EINECS Number
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`• General Description. Zinc Pyrithione is an insoluble white solid that
`is sold either as a dry powder, or as an aqueous dispersion for
`industrial and personal care applications. Zinc Pyrithione is registered
`by the U.S. EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
`Rodenticide Act and supported in Europe under the Biocidal Products
`Directive.
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`• Manufacture. During production, potential exposure to the
`concentrate by humans and the environment is tightly controlled and
`confined through strong industrial hygiene protocols and processes,
`engineering of the manufacturing equipment, and the use of personal
`protective equipment.
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`• Applications. Zinc Pyrithione is an antimicrobial and is used around
`the world in a variety of applications, including antifouling paints,
`building products, plastics, polyurethane products, textiles and
`antidandruff shampoos. It is also used as a preservative in personal
`care products, used in building products, plastics and polyurethane
`products, as well as biocide in textiles.
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` Benefits. Zinc Pyrithione is a non-VOC, broad spectrum, highly
`effective antimicrobial agent. Zinc Pyrithione is used to control mold,
`mildew, yeasts, fungi, algae, and both gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria.
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`• General Precautions. The concentrated form of Zinc Pyrithione
`(100% active ingredient powder) is toxic by ingestion; however, Zinc
`Pyrithione is an emetic which means that accidental ingestion of the
`material should result in vomiting or purging the material out.
`Inhaling the concentrated dust or mist of Zinc Pyrithione is considered
`to be moderately toxic. Dermal exposure to Zinc Pyrithione is
`considered practically non-toxic.
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`Zinc Pyrithione as a concentrate is corrosive to the eyes and can cause
`severe eye irritation and/or burns. Therefore, it must be washed out
`immediately to avoid serious injury.
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`Zinc Pyrithione is neither a skin sensitizer, nor skin irritant.
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`There are no known or expected effects from chronic exposure.
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`Zinc Pyrithione is non-mutagenic, and not expected to cause adverse
`reproductive or embryonic effects. It is not considered carcinogenic.
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`In laboratory studies, repeated exposures to concentrated Zinc
`Pyrithione has been shown to cause toxicity, including hind-limb
`muscle atrophy that appears to be unique to certain species. Such
`effects have not been observed in primates even when tested at levels
`30 times greater than what was observed in laboratory studies.
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`Zinc Pyrithione is considered highly/very toxic to aquatic organisms
`and aquatic plants; however, due to rapid degradation from sunlight,
`its presence in the environment is very short lived. Little to no
`toxicity was observed when terrestrial plants were exposed to large
`concentrations to Zinc Pyrithione.
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`• Likelihood of Exposure: This product in concentrated form is not sold
`to the individual consumer. Rather, it is sold to manufacturers who
`formulate it into products that may then be purchased by individual
`consumers. In such industrial settings, exposures to humans and the
`environment are tightly controlled.
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`• Risk Management: Those who handle the concentrated product or
`formulated products with diluted Zinc Pyrithione should read and
`follow all label directions carefully.
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`For additional information, please visit our web site at www.archchemicals.com
`and click on “Contact Us”.
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`This summary is intended to give general information about the chemical or
`categories of chemicals addressed. It is not intended to be, and should not be relied
`upon as, a substitute for the detailed health and safety information contained in the
`Material Safety Data Sheet (or any other required hazard communication material) for
`this product, which should be consulted before use of the chemical or treatment for
`exposure. As with any product, it is very important to read and carefully follow all
`label directions and warnings. This summary does not amend, modify, or replace
`required regulatory and/or legal communication documents.
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