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DuPont™ Zonyl® RP Paper Fluoro-Protectant

Technical Information / DuPont website 17nov2005

[More on Zonyl]

 

Description

Zonyl® RP is an anionic fluoro-protectant that imparts oil and grease repellency to a wide variety of paper and paperboard products. Application of 0.1 lb of Zonyl® RP as received per 1,000 ft2 or 8 lb/ton usually provides sufficient oil and grease repellency. The versatility of Zonyl® RP, along with compatibility to many other anionic or nonionic paper chemicals, allows application by most papermaking, treating, and converting operations. Surface treatment using a size press is preferred, as it is the most efficient and economical method of fluorochemical application.

Food Packaging Status

Zonyl® RP is listed in the Code of Federal Regulations*, Food and Drugs, 21 CFR 176.170, components of paper and paperboard in contact with nonalcoholic aqueous and fatty foods, Conditions of Use B though H. The limitations and Conditions of Use are defined as:

B – Boiling water sterilized
C – Hot filled or pasteurized above 66 C (150 F)
D – Hot filled or pasteurized below 66 C (150 F)
E – Room temperature filled and stored (no thermal treatment in the container)
F – Refrigerated storage (no thermal treatment in the container)
G – Frozen storage (no thermal treatment in the container)
H – Frozen or refrigerated storage (ready prepared foods intended to be reheated in the container at time of use):

  • Aqueous or oil-in-water emulsion of high or low fat
  • Aqueous, high or low free oil or fat

________
* Federal regulations specify total fluorine content. Broke, secondary fiber containing fluorochemical and small amounts of fluorides in pulp and water can contribute to total fluorine content.

Application

Equipment

Zonyl® RP can be applied on or off the paper machine. Convenient locations are at the size press, coating station, calender stack waterbox, gravure or flexographic press, wire wound rod, or trailing blade and roller coaters. In short, any equipment that can apply uniform coating of water solutions to paper or board can usually apply Zonyl® RP successfully. Surface treatment is preferred, as it offers wide versatility in location and equipment while providing a less expensive and more easily controlled application than internal treatments.

Treatment Level

Treatments can be made to one side or both sides of the paper or paperboard. The concentration of Zonyl® RP required for a given degree of oil or grease holdout depends upon several factors:

In most cases, the greater the amount of fluorochemical on the surface of the treated paper or paperboard, the greater the oil and grease repellency. Variations in alum, filler, size, starch, and other sheet or treatment parameters may affect holdout. For an initial trial, the recommended rate is 0.1 lb Zonyl® RP as received per 1,000 ft2.

Solution pH

The treating solution pH has little effect on Zonyl® RP over a pH range of 6–10. Performance is slightly better for solutions of pH 9–10.

Water Hardness

Water used to make the treating solution must be soft (less than 50 ppm hardness) or have sufficient chelating agent added (according to the manufacturer’s recommendation) to control hard water ions. Failure to soften the water will reduce repellency by precipitating product. Softening agents such as Versene® Powder or Versene® 100 (Dow Chemical Co.) are recommended. The level of Versene® will vary with water hardness, but, generally, 0.1% Versene® 100 is sufficient.

Sizing Agents and Alum

Internal sizing, such as rosin and alum, can reduce penetration of the Zonyl® RP treating solution, resulting in a nonuniform, shallow treatment. Therefore, internal size should be avoided or minimized. Alum can cause precipitation of the fluoridizer at the surface of the sheet. Alum should be eliminated or minimized using a chelating agent (Versene® Powder or Versene® 100). Where lower pH is required, sulfuric acid can be substituted for alum.

Mineral Filers

Mineral fillers in the sheet also reduce the effectiveness of Zonyl® RP. Fillers increase the surface area and require more fluorochemical to provide repellency.

Thickeners and Film Formers

Zonyl® RP is compatible in solution with most thickeners and film formers, such as unmodified starch, acid-hydrolyzed or enzyme-converted starch, ethylated starch, Elvanol® polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, casein, protein, and sodium CMC. These products can also be added to Zonyl® RP to minimize sheet penetration, if resistance to scoring or folding is unimportant. Chlorinated or oxidized starches should be avoided.

Preparation of Zonyl® RP Treating Solution

Testing

Determining the amount applied is generally done by controlling wet pickup or, if greater accuracy is needed, by fluorine analysis. The presence of Zonyl® RP can be qualitatively detected by placing a drop of oil on the surface of the paper or paperboard. Fluorochemical will cause the oil drop to "bead," whereas a film coating such as polyethylene will allow the oil to "flow" or lay flat. The more fluorochemical present, the greater the contact angle. To minimize treatment cost and avoid unnecessary expense, it is important to keep in mind the intended use of the paper or paperboard and design testing around end-use conditions.

Personal Safety, First Aid, and Storage and Handling

Zonyl® RP is classified by DOT as a flammable liquid, N.O.S. (Isopropanol) Hazard Class 3. It should be stored in a well ventilated place, away from open flames or heated surfaces. See the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for further information.

Zonyl® RP should be stored above 5 C (41 F) to reduce settling.

Do not apply Zonyl® RP using aerosol application or by atomization. Inhalation of spray or mist may cause nasal, throat, or lung irritation. Inhalation of large amounts of respirable particles may be toxic to the lungs. Symptoms may be modest initially, followed in hours by severe shortness of breath requiring prompt medical attention.

Technical Assistance

For help in evaluating this product in your application, please call DuPont Technical Service at (800) 255-4596.

Ordering Information—Product, Literature, or Samples

To order samples or literature, please call

(800) 255-4596. For commercial quantities, please call (800) 441-9504. For locations outside the United States, contact the local DuPont representative in your country.

U.S. Sales and Services

For placing orders or requesting additional product information, please use our convenient
24-hour, toll-free telephone number. If you prefer, you can write to us.

By Phone By Mail

Toll free in continental U.S. DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise

(800) 441-7515 Customer Service Center Barley Mill Plaza, Bldg. 23 Wilmington, DE 19898

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and is based on technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill and at their own discretion and risk. Because conditions of use are outside our control, we make no warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patents.

The DuPont oval logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Elvanol®, and Zonyl® are trademarks or registered trademarks of DuPont. Versene® is a registered trademark of Dow Chemical Co.

Copyright © 2002 E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. All rights reserved.

(3/02) W-400187 Printed in U.S.A. Reorder No.: H-96075

source: http://www.paperprotect.dupont.com/pdffiles/ZonylRP.pdf 17nov2005

Zonyl is commonly used for food packaging and applied to linerboard, folding cartons, bags, fast food wrappers, flexible packaging, support cards for candy/bakery products, pet food liners, trays, and duplicator/reproduction paper.

Manufactured at DuPont facilities in Deepwater, NJ and Parkersburg, WV, Zonyl is branded under the following names:

Zonyl® 9464
Zonyl® 8868
Zonyl® NF & Zonyl® RP
Foraperle® 321/325

source: http://www.dupontcouncil.org/PDF%20Files/ZonylSurvey.pdf 17nov2005

Zonyl® Fabric Care Products protect virtually all kinds of fabrics from water, dirt and stains, without affecting color, texture or feel. Zonyl® forms a molecular shield around the fiber making them significantly more resistant to oil and water-based stains as well as repelling dust and dry soil. Spills blot up quickly or can be wiped or washed. Even when dry, most spots can be cleaned easily.

Evolution in colors, materials and requirements of the customers involve new methods and new products. Through continuous development, a range of product is manufactured according to the strictest specifications to prevent stains, protect and maintain fabrics and carpets and to preserve their natural freshness and breathability.

Zonyl® Stone Protector protects the stone and marble that are subject to water, stains and dirt. These surfaces once protected are easy to keep, clean and maintain.

source: http://www.lindustrylb.com/zonyl.htm 17nov2005

United Steelworkers to Paper Companies:
Beware of Zonyl

JOSH CABLE / 22apr2005

Citing its "duty to protect the health and safety of the workers our union represents," the president of the nation's largest industrial union has sent a letter to the CEOs of 200 major paper companies to alert them to what the union asserts are the potential health risks associated with zonyl, a chemical produced by DuPont.

The letter from Boyd Young, president of the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union before the union merged with the United Steelworkers of America, expresses Young's concern that "PACE members may not be getting sufficient information about zonyl and that DuPont may not have fully informed employers about the potential harmful effects."

"Zonyl is linked to serious health risks, including birth defects, cancer, developmental problems and high cholesterol, a risk factor for heart attack and stroke," Young says in the letter.

Zonyl, according to the union, is a fluorinated telomer that breaks down into perfluorooctanoic acid -- also known as PFOA or C-8 -- a synthetic chemical used in making non-stick Teflon cookware and hundreds of other products. PFOA currently is under intensive review by EPA, which in January noted that PFOA has been detected in "very low levels" in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population and that studies indicated the chemical "can cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals."

The union -- now known as the United Steelworkers (USW) -- believes zonyl is used widely in the paper industry in items such as linerboard, folding cartons, bags, fast food wrappers, trays and pet food liners and also used in Stainmaster for carpet and fabrics. Fluorinated telomers are a type of small polymer used to repel grease, oil and liquids.

While USW says the extent of zonyl's use in the paper industry remains unknown, it announced plans to conduct a preliminary survey among 1,200 local union officials to collect initial information on the prevalence of zonyl's use and how workers are exposed to it.

"It is our duty to protect the health and safety of the workers our union represents," Young said.

Initial responses to the survey indicate zonyl often is mixed with other chemicals before being applied to pulp or paper products, such as food packaging, according to the union. Workers who interact with the mixture are potentially exposed through significant airborne and skin contact, the union contends.

Health Effects of PFOA Exposure Still Not Known

Dr. Timothy Kropp, senior scientist at Environmental Working Group, points to recent EPA findings that "Teflon chemicals used in food packaging and other paper products" may be ubiquitous in the bloodstream of the general population and asserts that workers may have even higher exposure levels.

Studies have found that workers exposed to PFOA are at increased risk for stroke, leukemia and prostate cancer, according to Kropp.

EPA, however, says the chemical's effects on humans are not known, nor does the EPA "have a full understanding of how people are exposed to PFOA," which the agency says is not found in the finished products it is used to make.

The EPA, which has been studying the potential health risks of PFOA and similar fluorochemicals since 2000, issued a draft assessment of the potential risks of PFOA on Jan. 12. The agency asked a panel of scientific experts to review the draft assessment to "ensure the most rigorous science is used in the agency's ongoing evaluation of PFOA." EPA in January said that the panel's conclusions were expected to be released in several months.

The draft risk assessment includes an analysis of how PFOA causes liver tumors in rats, according to EPA. The agency, though, says the draft does not provide any new conclusions regarding PFOA exposure and potential health concerns for humans.

After the draft assessment was released in January, Environmental Working Group assailed the document as being tilted in DuPont's favor because it allegedly ignored "scientific studies pointing to increased risks for heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, testicular cancer and numerous other health harms."

DuPont: Consumer Items Not a Source of PFOA

DuPont claims products containing PFOA are safe for consumer use. The Wilmington, Del.-based company on April 20 said that an independent, peer-reviewed study sponsored by DuPont concludes, "the use of consumer articles with DuPont materials would not result in quantifiable exposure to [PFOA]."

The study, which was published in Environmental Science & Technology, was conducted by Environ, an independent research firm, DuPont says.

"Cookware coated with Teflon underwent rigorous scientific testing designed to see if any PFOA could be detected under exaggerated or extreme cooking conditions, and none was found," said Dr. Jay Murray, a board-certified toxicologist and one of the three experts who provided peer consultation on the DuPont study.

In early January, DuPont said that an "initial-phase" health study of more than 1,000 workers at its Washington Works plant near Parkersburg, W.Va., showed no connection between PFOA blood levels and liver problems, blood counts, prostate cancer, leukemia or multiple myeloma.

Occupational Hazards, 1300 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44144, Phone: (216) 696-7000 FAX: (216) 696-7658 http://www.occupationalhazards.com

source: http://www.lindustrylb.com/zonyl.htm17nov2005

 

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