MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

I.   PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Manufacturer/Supplier:

ESPI Metals

1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520

Toll Free (800) 638-2581 * Fax (541) 488-8313

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Product Name:    Cadmium

Formula:             Cd

CAS Number:       7440-43-9

II.   HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Hazardous Components:  Cadmium

Percent (%):                    0-100

OSHA/PEL:                       0.005 mg/m³

ACGIH/TLV:                      0.01 mg/m³

HMIS Ratings (Powder):

Health:                             2

Flammability:                  2

Reactivity:                       1

HMIS Ratings (Solid):

Health:                             1

Flammability:                  0

Reactivity:                       0

III.   PHYSICAL DATA

Boiling Point:                       765 ^oC

Melting Point:                      320.9 ^oC 

Specific Gravity:                 8.642 g/cc

Vapor Pressure:                  1mm at 394 ^oC         

Solubility in H₂O:                 Insoluble

Appearance and Odor:        Silver white solid, gray powder, no odor.

IV.   FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS DATA

Flash Point:  N/A

Autoignition Temperature (Powder):  250 ^oC (layer), 570 ^oC (cloud)

Flammable Limits:  Upper:  N/A       Lower:  N/A

Extinguishing Media:  Use class D extinguisher such as dry powder, graphite, soda ash, powdered sodium chloride, or dry sand.

Special Firefighting Procedures:  Firefighters must wear full face, self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes.

Unusual Fire & Explosion:  When heated to high temperatures cadmium may emit toxic fumes of cadmium oxide.  Dust-air mixtures may be explosive.  Finely divided metal may be pyrophoric in air.  Flammable and explosive when exposed to heat, flame or by chemical reaction with oxidizing agents, metals, ammonia, zinc, selenium, tellurium.  Explosion hazard in the form of dust when exposed to ammonium nitrate and hydrozoic acid.  Contact with acids may form flammable hydrogen gas.

V.   HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Effects of Exposure:

Cadmium compounds are confirmed carcinogens producing lung tumors.  Poison by ingestion.  Inhalation of fumes or dusts affects the respiratory tract and the kidneys.  Brief exposure to high concentrations may result in pulmonary edema and death.  Fatal concentrations may be breathed without sufficient discomfort to warn a worker to leave the exposure.  Cadmium oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever.  (Sax, Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials)

Acute Effects:

Inhalation:  Highly toxic (symptoms may be delayed for several hours).  May cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract, rhinitis, vertigo, constriction of the throat, metallic taste in the mouth and cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, chest pains, flu-like symptoms (weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, chills, shivering, profuse sweating, muscular pain in the back and limbs) and pulmonary edema.  More severe exposure may cause proliferative interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis/hypertrophy of bronchial vessels and renal necrosis and/or liver damage.

Ingestion:  May cause irritation of the mouth and throat, increased salivation, burning sensation, and cramps in stomach, nausea, headache and vomiting, weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, shock, convulsions, coma and death.

Skin:  Direct contact may result in irritation.

Eye:  Direct contact may cause irritation, redness and pain.

Chronic Effects:

Inhalation:  May cause irreversible lung damage, pulmonary fibrosis, damage to the olfactory nerve.  All routes of entry may cause kidney damage, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, spontaneous fractures, hemolytic and iron-deficiency anemia, weight loss, and irritability, renal tubular necrosis, cardiovascular effects, liver damage and prostatic and respiratory cancers.  Is determined to be mutagenic, experimental teratogen, neoplastic, tumorigen, and carcinogen.

Ingestion:  May cause irreversible renal tubular dysfunction, functional changes in the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands. 

Skin:  Chronic exposure may cause dermatitis. 

Eyes:  Chronic exposure may cause conjunctivitis.

Target Organs:  May affect the respiratory system, kidneys, prostate and blood.

Medical Conditions Aggravated by Exposure:  Kidney or respiratory dysfunction, blood or bone disorders.

Carcinogenicity:  NTP:  Yes     IARC:  Yes       OSHA:  Yes

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:

INHALATION:  Remove to fresh air.  If conscious, encourage victim to blow nose, and cough up, then spit out mucous and saliva.   Keep warm and quiet, give oxygen if breathing is difficult.  Seek medical attention immediately.

INGESTION:  Give 1-2 glasses of milk or water and induce vomiting, seek medical attention immediately.  Never induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

SKIN:  Remove contaminated clothing, brush material off skin, wash affected area with mild soap and water, seek medical attention.

EYE:  Flush eyes with lukewarm water, including under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention.

VI.   REACTIVITY DATA

Stability:  Stable

Conditions to Avoid:  None

Incompatibility (Material to Avoid):  Strong oxidizing agents/acids, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, nitryl fluoride, zinc.  Contact with hydrazoic acid may cause explosion.  Reacts exothermically with sulfur, selenium and tellurium.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:  The heated metal in contact with air forms highly toxic oxides of cadmium.

Hazardous Polymerization:  Will not occur.

VII.   SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES

Steps to Be Taken in Case Material Is Released or Spilled:  Wear appropriate respiratory and protective equipment specified in section VIII.  Contain spill, isolate hazard area and deny entry.  Ventilate area of release.  Avoid making further dusts.  Cadmium and its compounds can pose a severe threat to the environment.  Water, soil, and air contamination should be prevented.  Do not use compressed air.  Vacuum up spill using a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) air filter.

Waste Disposal Method:  Dispose of material in accordance with RCRA CFR 40 parts 261-265 or all State, Federal and  Local environmental regulations.

VIII.   SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Respiratory Protection:  If exposed to dust or fume use a  high efficiency particulate respirator with a full faceplate, or supplied-air respirator, or self contained breathing apparatus.

Ventilation:  Local exhaust is required for melting, grinding, and soldering operations.  Special ventilation required where there is risk of exposure.  Use enclosed process if possible.

Protective Gloves:  Rubber, butyl, pvc

Eye Protection:  Close fitting safety goggles

Other Protective Clothing or Equipment:  Full protective clothing is required during high exposure activities.  Clothing should be changed before going home.  Contact lenses should not be worn when airborne dust is present.

IX.   SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Precautions to Be Taken in Handling and Storing:  Care must be taken to prevent fires when cadmium dust or powder are present. Cadmium should be stored in a dry covered place.  Avoid storage or use near acids or alkaline hydroxides.

Other Precautions:  CAUTION!  VERY TOXIC!  Take precautions to avoid exposure.  This material and its container must be disposed of as toxic waste.

Work Practices:  Scrupulous attention to personal hygiene and proper protective measures are essential when cadmium and its compounds are stored, handled or processed in any way.  Wash thoroughly after handling and before eating, drinking, and smoking.  Use special vacuum cleaners and dust collectors with high efficiency filters to collect dust or powders.  Large amounts of dust should be caught in bag house.  In areas of cadmium exposure, showering after each work shift is recommended.  Clothing worn in areas of cadmium exposure should be restricted to the workplace and laundered regularly.  If working in the same area, maintenance personnel should follow same work and hygienic practices as everyone else.  Maintain eyewash capable of sustained flushing, safety drench shower and facilities for washing.

SARA Title III Section 313:  Yes

TSCA Listed:       Yes

DOT Regulations:

Solid Forms:

         Hazard Class:                  None

Powder:

        Hazard Class:                    4.1

        Identification Number:     UN3179

        Packing Group:                 II

        Proper Shipping Name:    Flammable solid, toxic, inorganic, n.o.s. (Cadmium powder)

The above information is believed to be correct, but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide.  ESPI shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or from contact with the above product.

Issued by:                           S. Dierks

Revised/Verified:                  May 2008