POTASSIUM SULFATE

MSDS Number: P6137 --- Effective Date: 12/08/96


1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Sulfuric acid dipotassium salt; sal polychrestum
CAS No.: 7778-80-5
Molecular Weight: 174.26
Chemical Formula: K2SO4
Product Codes: J.T. Baker: 3278, 3282, 3290 Mallinckrodt: 1541, 4525, 4553, 4688, 4698, 6349, 7128, 7130, 7132, 7133, 7139, 7140, 7144, 7148, 7153, 7167


2. Composition/Information on Ingredients


  Ingredient                                CAS No         Percent   Hazardous                                       
  ---------------------------------------   ------------   -------   ---------        
 
  Potassium Sulfate                         7778-80-5      90 - 100%    Yes                                                                  
 


3. Hazards Identification

Emergency Overview
--------------------------
As part of good industrial and personal hygiene and safety procedure, avoid all unnecessary exposure to the chemical substance and ensure prompt removal from skin, eyes and clothing.


J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 1 - Slight
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 0 - None
Contact Rating: 0 - None
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT
Storage Color Code: Orange (General Storage)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Possible nuisance dust effect, sneezing or coughing.

Ingestion:
Large oral dosages may produce gastrointestinal disturbances and irritation.

Skin Contact:
Not expected to be a health hazard from skin exposure.

Eye Contact:
No adverse effects expected but dust may cause mechanical irritation.

Chronic Exposure:
Not expected to be a health hazard. Potassium poisoning may occur in rare cases of long exposure or ingestion.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
No adverse health effects expected.


4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing difficulty.

Ingestion:
If large amounts were swallowed, give water to drink and get medical advice.

Skin Contact:
Wash exposed area with soap and water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.

Eye Contact:
Wash thoroughly with running water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.


5. Fire Fighting Measures

Fire:
Not considered to be a fire hazard.

Explosion:
Not considered to be an explosion hazard.

Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.

Special Information:
Use protective clothing and breathing equipment appropriate for the surrounding fire.


6. Accidental Release Measures

Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Sweep up and containerize for reclamation or disposal. Vacuuming or wet sweeping may be used to avoid dust dispersal.


7. Handling and Storage

Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.


8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Airborne Exposure Limits:
- OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 15 mg/m3 total dust, 5 mg/m3 respirable fraction for nuisance dusts. - ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 10 mg/m3 total dust containing no asbestos and < 1% crystalline silica for Particulates Not Otherwise Classified (PNOC).

Ventilation System:
In general, dilution ventilation is a satisfactory health hazard control for this substance. However, if conditions of use create discomfort to the worker, a local exhaust system should be considered.

Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece dust/mist respirator may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Skin Protection:
Wear protective gloves and clean body-covering clothing.

Eye Protection:
Safety glasses. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.


9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance:
White granules or powder.

Odor:
Odorless.

Solubility:
Soluble in water.

Density:
2.66

pH:
ca. 7

% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0

Boiling Point:
1689C (3072F)

Melting Point:
1067C (1953F)

Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.

Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
No information found.

Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.


10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Oxides of sulfur and potassium.

Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.

Incompatibilities:
Aluminum and magnesium.

Conditions to Avoid:
Incompatibles.


11. Toxicological Information


LD50 Oral Rat: 6600 mg/kg.

  --------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
                                         ---NTP Carcinogen---
  Ingredient                             Known    Anticipated    IARC Category
  ------------------------------------   -----    -----------    -------------
  Potassium Sulfate (7778-80-5)           No          No            None


12. Ecological Information

Environmental Fate:
No information found.

Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.


13. Disposal Considerations

Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste disposal facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.


14. Transport Information

Not regulated.


15. Regulatory Information


  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
  Ingredient                                       TSCA  EC   Japan  Australia
  -----------------------------------------------  ----  ---  -----  ---------
  Potassium Sulfate (7778-80-5)                     Yes  Yes   Yes      Yes                                      
 
  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
                                                          --Canada--
  Ingredient                                       Korea  DSL   NDSL  Phil.
  -----------------------------------------------  -----  ---   ----  -----
  Potassium Sulfate (7778-80-5)                     Yes   Yes   No     Yes                             
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
                                             -SARA 302-    ------SARA 313------
  Ingredient                                 RQ    TPQ     List  Chemical Catg.
  -----------------------------------------  ---   -----   ----  --------------
  Potassium Sulfate (7778-80-5)              No    No      No         No
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
                                                        -RCRA-    -TSCA-
  Ingredient                                 CERCLA     261.33     8(d) 
  -----------------------------------------  ------     ------    ------
  Potassium Sulfate (7778-80-5)              No         No         No                   
 
 
Chemical Weapons Convention:  No     TSCA 12(b):  No     CDTA:  No
SARA 311/312:  Acute: No       Chronic: No   Fire: No  Pressure: No
Reactivity: No          (Pure / Solid) 


Australian Hazchem Code: No information found.
Poison Schedule: No information found.

WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.


16. Other Information

NFPA Ratings: Health: 1 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 0

Label Hazard Warning:
As part of good industrial and personal hygiene and safety procedure, avoid all unnecessary exposure to the chemical substance and ensure prompt removal from skin, eyes and clothing.

Label Precautions:
None.

Label First Aid:
Not applicable.

Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.

Revision Information:
Pure. New 16 section MSDS format, all sections have been revised.

Disclaimer:
************************************************************************************************ Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
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Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)