Version 1 | June 2021

SAFETY DATA SHEET – OPTICAL FIBER

(NON-MANDATORY, FOR INDICATION ONLY)

Contents
SECTION DESCRIPTION PAGE
1.0 Product description 1
1.1 Product 1
1.2 Manufacturer 1
2.0 Hazard identification 1
3.0 Composition and description 1
3.1 Fiber and fiber spool composition 1
3.2 Description 2
4.0 First-aid precautions 2
4.1 Contact with eyes 2
4.2 Contact with skin 2
4.3 Ingestion 2
4.4 Processing 2
5.0 Fire precautions 2
5.1 Extinguishing media 2
5.2 Special hazards arising from the material 2
5.3 Advice for firefighters 2
6.0 Accidental release measures 2
6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures 2
6.2 Environmental precautions / methods for clean up 3
7.0 Handling and storage 3
7.1 Precautions for safe handling 3
7.2 Conditions for safe storage 3
8.0 Exposure controls / personal protection 3
8.1 Potential hazards 3
8.2 Exposure controls 3
9.0 Physical and chemical properties 3
10.0 Stability and reactivity 3
11.0 Toxicological information 4
12.0 Ecological information 4
13.0 Disposal considerations 4
14.0 Transport information 4
14.1 Means of transport 4
14.2 Transport conditions 4
15.0 Regulatory information 4
16.0 Other information 4

Fibercore Limited | Fibercore House I University Parkway I Southampton Science Park

Southampton | SO16 7QQ | UK | T +44 (0)23 8076 9893 I E info@fibercore.com
Company Number: 02795233 (England and Wales)
 Version 1 | June 2021

SAFETY DATA SHEET – OPTICAL FIBER

NON MANDATORY, FOR INDICATION ONLY
___________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Product description

Single-mode/ Multimode Optical Glass (silica) Fiber wound onto plastic spool

1.2 Manufacturer
Fiber manufacturer
Fibercore Limited
University Parkway
Southampton Science Park
Chilworth
Hampshire
SO16 7QQ
Tel: +44 (0)2380 769893

Contact: sales@fibercore.com if there are further questions relating to this document

Spool manufacturer
Sonoco Plastics B.V.
Veilingweg 24
NL-2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs
The Netherlands
Tel: +3110-4554344

2.0 Hazard identification

Optical fiber is not a dangerous substance in relation to EU-directive 2001/58/EC.

The use and processing of optical fibers does not pose significant risks.
Optical fiber is an article, according to the REACH definition.

Some precaution may be needed when handling and processing optical fibers, see 4.0

3.0 Composition and description

3.1 Fiber and fiber spool composition (fiber composition indicative and correct for majority of
types). Any variations are in core composition and will not materially impact the validity of this
material safety data sheet)

AMOUNT (BY
COMPONENT COMPOUND CAS NO.
PERCENTAGE)
Glass fiber strand Amorphous silica 40 61790-53-2
Glass fiber strand Germanium < 5 7440-56-4
Glass fiber strand Acrylate coating 60 Available on request
Packaging (spool)
ABS spool 9003-56-9
Foam belly Polyurethane foam 9009-54-5
Cling film plastic Polyvinyl chloride Not available
Paper labels Not available

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3.2 Description
An optical fiber is a thin quartz glass fiber with an acrylate coating.

For transport, storage and use the fiber is wound on a plastic ABS spool with a soft
underlayer foam. For dust protection, the fiber package has a domestic opaque plastic ‘cling film’
wrap. The spool has a label attached to it.

4.0 First-aid precautions

4.1 Contact with eyes

Small glass splinters may cause irritation. This is a general reaction caused by the shape of
splinter not by the material properties.
Flush open eye(s) with water from an eye wash bottle or similar. Consult eye specialist, if
required.

4.2 Contact with skin

In exceptional cases the human skin may be slightly irritated when coming into contact with the
acrylate coating. Close fitting ‘surgical’ type gloves will avoid this potential problem
Remove glass splinters from stab wounds. Consult physician, if required.

4.3 Ingestion
Glass splinters may irritate the digestive system, although usually briefly.
This is a general reaction caused by the shape of splinter not by the material properties.
When in doubt, consult a physician.
Glass splinters may irritate nose, throat and lungs. This is a general reaction caused by the
shape of splinters not by the material properties. During regular use and processing of the
optical fibers inhalation is very unlikely.
Consult lung specialist when large quantities have been inhaled.

4.4 Processing
It is advisable not to eat or drink at the location where optical fiber processing is taking place.

5.0 Fire precautions

Both acrylate coating and ABS spools are combustible at high temperatures.

5.1 Extinguishing media

Suitable fire extinguishing media are water, water-based foam, carbon dioxide and
powder. The choice depends on the environment where the fire is.

5.2 Special hazards arising from the material

The combustion of acrylate coating generates toxic byproducts, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
water and decomposition products (monomers/hydrocarbons).
The burning of the spool results in the formation of monomers and hydrocarbons, hydrogen
cyanide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water.

5.3 Advice for firefighters

Full personal protection RPE using compressed-air respiration systems.

6.0 Accidental release measures

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures

During removal of optical fiber residues or waste it is recommended to protect hands

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against puncture injuries using appropriate gloves, and to protect eyes using safety glasses with
side shields.

6.2 Environmental precautions / methods for clean up

Collecting loose optical fiber, residue, coating particles etc is best achieved using a vacuum
cleaner with a filter to control the particulate level in the expelled air.

7.0 Handling and storage

7.1 Precautions for safe handling

For fiber operations it is advisable to protect the eyes using safety goggles with side shields. If
necessary close fitting ‘surgical’ type gloves can be worn.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage

Store optical fibers in a clean, dry environment. Avoid excessive temperature extremes or high
levels of humidity.

8.0 Exposure controls / personal protection

8.1 Potential hazards

Cured acrylate coating: there is a very small risk of sensitisation but this is very rare, otherwise
there are no known hazards
Quartz fiber: Potential for stick injuries due to small diameter and degree of rigidity, otherwise no
known hazards
Spool: no known hazards

8.2 Exposure controls

Eyes: Safety glasses or goggles with side shields
Skin: Wearing close fitting ‘surgical’ gloves is recommended

9.0 Physical and chemical properties

Information on basic physical and chemical properties

Outward appearance: Fiber color: Colourless and transparent, some may appear with a slight
yellow colouration
Smell: Light acrylate smell
Melting point: not applicable
Boiling point: not applicable
Ignition point: not known
Vapor pressure: not known/not applicable
Density: Glass: about 2.2 g/cm3
Acrylate coating: about 0.9‐1.2 g/cm3
Spool: approximately 1 g/cm3
Solubility: Insoluble in water
p-value: not applicable
Viscosity: not applicable

10.0 Stability and reactivity

Both optical fiber, acrylate coating and the spool are inert / non-reactive and stable under general
conditions storage and processing temperatures.
Precautions against fire are described in 5.0

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11.0 Toxicological information

LD50/LC50: unknown
Both the acrylate coating and spool are not carcinogenic according to suppliers’ specifications.

12.0 Ecological information

Since both optical fiber and reel are stable and insoluble in water, they are non-hazardous to
the ecological system.

13.0 Disposal considerations

Since they are stable and insoluble in water, it is permissible to discharge both optical fiber
and reel on any dumping site on land, or to deliver them to waste incinerators without any
danger arising. The reels can be recycled wholly or as loose material.

14.0 Transport information

14.1 Means of transport

All means of transport are permissible.
Optical glass fiber is regulated as non-hazardous in transport.
14.2 Transport conditions
Transport optical fiber in a dry and dustproof environment. Do not expose reels with optical fibers
to heavy impacts

15.0 Regulatory information

Since optical fibers and reels are non-hazardous, labelling and danger classification are not
required or applicable.

16.0 Other information

Optical fiber and spools are not classified as dangerous substances in relation to EU-directive
2001/58/EG.
As a result there is no obligation to make or distribute a material safety datasheet.
This datasheet is based on the directive EU-directive 2001/58/EG annex “Guide to the compilation
of safety data sheets”.
Optical fiber is an article, according to the REACH definition. Optical fiber contains no
substance that is intended to be released during normal and reasonably foreseeable
conditions of use.
Fibercore products are fully compliant with REACH regulations. A REACH statement is
available on the website: www.fibercore.com or may be requested.
Fibercore products are fully compliant with RoHS regulations. An RoHS statement is
available on the website: www.fibercore.com or may be requested

Although the information contained in this datasheet has been prepared with care and diligence
and is believed to be correct Fibercore makes no representations as to the completeness or
accuracy thereof. Those who use this product are responsible for
determining; (A) the suitability of the product for the intended use and (B) the appropriate
manner for processing the product to ensure safety and quality. In no event will Fibercore Ltd. be
responsible for damages of any nature resulting from the use or reliance upon the information
contained herein.