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:     Holmium Nitrate Crystals

Formula:              Ho(NO₃)₃, 5H₂O

II.   HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Hazardous Component:       Holmium Nitrate         Nitric Acid

CAS Number:                       14483-18-2                7697-37-2

Percent (%):                        >99%                       Trace

OSHA Hazard:                       Y                              Y

HMIS Rating:

Health Hazard:     3

Flammability:       0

Reactivity:            0

III.   PHYSICAL DATA

Boiling Point:                   N/A

Melting Point:                   N/A

Specific Gravity:              N/A

Solubility in H₂O:             Soluble

pH of Solutions:               3 at 20 wt/wt%

Appearance and Odor:    Orange crystalline solid, odorless.

IV.   FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS DATA

Flash Point (Method Used):  N/A

Extinguishing Media:  Recommended:  Carbon dioxide, dry powder, foam, or water fog.

Special Fire Fighting Procedures:  Wear a NIOSH/MSHA approved self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.  Cool closed containers exposed to fire with water.

Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazards:  Under fire conditions, toxic, corrosive fumes are emitted.

Hazardous Decomposition Materials (under fire conditions):  Oxides of Nitrogen.

V.   HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Toxicological Information:

Acute Effects:

Eye Irritation:  Toxicological Information and Interpretation:  Eye-eye irritation, rabbit.  Severe irritant.

Skin Irritation:  Toxicological Information and Interpretation:  Skin-skin irritation, rabbit.  Slight Irritant.

Dermal Toxicity:  No Data

Respiratory Irritation:  No Data

Inhalation Toxicity:  No Data

Oral Toxicity:  Toxicological Information and Interpretation: LD50- lethal dose 50% of test species, 2313 mg/kg, rat.

Health Hazards:

Eye:  Severe irritant.  Can cause redness, irritation, and tissue destruction.

Skin:  Skin absorption not likely.  Slightly irritating.  May cause redness.

Inhalation:  May cause wheezing, shortness of breath, upper respiratory tract irritation, and chemical pneumonia.

Ingestion:  Harmful if ingested.  May cause nausea, vomiting, irritation, holes in the esophagus, and bluish-purple discoloration of the skin.

Chronic Effects:  This product does not contain any ingredients designated by IARC, NTP ACGIH or OSHA as probable or suspected human carcinogens.

Exposure Guidelines:

Nitric Acid:            TWA                      STEL

ACGIH                   5.2 mg/m³ 10 mg/m³

ACGIH                   2 ppm                     4 ppm

OSHA                    2 ppm                     10 mg/m³

OSHA                    5 mg/m³ 4 ppm

Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated Respirable Fraction:  OSHA 5 mg/m³

Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated Total Dust:  OSHA 15 mg/m³

Medical Conditions Possibly Aggravated by Exposure:  Inhalation of product may aggravate existing chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis.  Skin contact may aggravate existing skin disease.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:

INHALATION:  Remove victim from immediate source of exposure and assure that the victim is breathing.  If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen, if available.  If victim is not breathing, administer CPR.  Seek immediate medical attention.

INGESTION:  If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-3 glasses of water to drink and do not induce vomiting.  Seek immediate medical attention.  Do not leave victim unattended.  To prevent aspiration of swallowed product.  Lay victim on side with head lower than waist.  Vomiting may occur spontaneously.  If vomiting occurs and the victim is conscious, give water further dilute the chemical.

EYES:  Hold eyelids open and flush with a steady, gentle stream of water for at least 15 minutes.  Seek medical attention.

SKIN:  In case of contact, immediately wash with plenty of soap and water for at least 5 minutes.  Seek medical attention if irritation develops or persists.  Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.  Clean contaminated clothing and shoes before re-use.

NOTES TO PHYSICIAN:  Treat symptomatically.  No specific antidote available.  All treatments should be based on observed signs and symptoms of distress in the patient.  Consideration should be given to the possibility that overexposure to materials other than this product may have occurred.

VI.   REACTIVITY DATA

Stability:  Stable under normal conditions.

Conditions to Be Avoided:  Dusting conditions.

Incompatibility (Material to Avoid):  Strong bases

Decomposition Temperature Range:  350 ^oC (662 ^oF)

Hazardous Decomposition Products:  Oxides of nitrogen (thermal decomposition).

Hazardous Polymerization:  Will not occur.

VII.   SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES

Evacuation Procedures and Safety:  Wear appropriate protective gear for the situation.

Steps to Be Taken in Case Material Is Released or Spilled:  Sweep up and place in an appropriate closed container.  Clean up residual material by washing area with a 2-5% solution of soda ash.

Environmental and Regulatory Reporting:  Spills may be reportable to the National Response Center (800-424-8802)  and to State and/or Local agencies.

Waste Disposal Method:  Chemical additions, processing or otherwise altering this material may make the waste management information presented in this MSDS incomplete, inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate.  Please be advised that state and local requirements for waste disposal may be more restrictive or otherwise different from federal laws and regulations.  Consult state and local regulation regarding the proper disposal of this material.

Container Handling and Disposal:  Any containers or equipment used should be decontaminated immediately after use.

EPA Hazardous Waste:  No

Ecotoxicological Information:  No Data

Chemical Fate Information:  No Data

VIII.   SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Engineering Controls:  Where engineering controls are indicated by use conditions or a potential for excessive exposure exists, the following traditional exposure control techniques may be used to effectively minimize employee exposures:  Wet processing methods to reduce dust generation.

Respiratory Protection:  When respirators are required, select NIOSH/MSHA approved equipment based on actual or potential airborne concentrations and in accordance with the latest OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and/or ANSI Z88.2 recommendations.  Under normal conditions, in the absence of other airborne contaminants, the following devices should provide protection from this material up to the conditions specified by OSHA/ANSI:  Air-purifying (half-mask/full-face) respirator with cartridges/canister approved for use against dusts, mists and fumes.

Eye/Face Protection:  Eye and face protection requirements will vary dependent upon work environment conditions and material handling practices.  Appropriate ANSI Z87 approved equipment should be selected for the particular use intended for this material.  Eye contact would be prevented through use of chemical safety glasses with side shields or splash proof goggles.  An emergency eye wash must be readily accessible to the work area.

Skin Protection:  Skin contact should be prevented through use of suitable protective clothing, cloves and footwear, selected with regard for use conditions and exposure potential.  Consideration must be given both to durability as well as permeation resistance.

Work Practice Controls:  Personal hygiene is an important work practice exposure control measure and the following general measures should be taken when working with or handling this material:

(1)  Do not store, use, and/or consume foods, beverages, tobacco products, or cosmetics in areas where this material is stored.

(2)  Wash hands and face carefully before eating, drinking, using tobacco, applying cosmetics, or using the toilet.

(3)  Wash exposed skin promptly to remove accidental splashes of contact with this material.

IX.   SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Minimum/Maximum Storage Temperatures:  No data Available.

Handling:  Avoid direct or prolonged contact with skin and eyes.  Avoid breathing dusts.  Dry powders can build static electricity charges when subjected to the friction of conveying, mixing or sliding.  Provide adequate precautions, such as electrical grounding, or inert atmospheres when material is used in the presence of flammable materials to prevent ignition.

Storage:  Store in tightly closed containers.

Container Material to Avoid:  Ordinary steel.

Transportation Status:  The listed transportation classification does not address regulatory variations due to changes in package size, mode of shipment or other regulatory descriptors.

US Department of Transportation DOT Shipping Name:  Not regulated

TSCA Inventory Status:  The hydrated components of this product are listed on the TSCA inventory under their parent anhydrous compounds.

SARA Title III Hazard Class:

Fire Hazard:                      No

Reactive Hazard:               No

Release of Pressure:         No

Acute Health Hazard:        Yes

Chronic Health Hazard:     No

SARA 313 Chemicals:  Nitric Acid (trace %)

SARA Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS)/CERCLA Hazardous Substances:  Ingredient:  Nitric Acid

CERCLA/SARA RQ/EHS TPQ:  1000 lbs

State Regulations:  This product does not contain any components that are regulated under California Proposition 65.

Disclaimer:  The information herein is given in good faith but no warranty, expressed or implied is made.

Issued By:             S. Dierks

Dated:                    April 1993