MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 01180 Pg. 1
Issued: 11/19/07
1. Chemical Product and Contact Information
Lithium Tetraborate
Product Name: Part Numbers:
502-093
LECO Corporation 512-613
3000 Lakeview
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
Information: 269-983-5531
Chemtrec: 800-424-9300
(Chemtrec Int'l: 703-527-3887)
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
OSHA ACGIH Typical %
Component CAS No. PEL (mg/m3) TLV (mg/m3) by Weight
Lithium Tetraborate 12007-60-2 Not avail. Not avail. 99
3. Hazard Identification
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
No unusual fire or spill hazard; serious internal health risk. White powder.
Potential Health Effects
EYES: May irritate.
SKIN: May irritate.
INHALATION: May irritate the nose and throat.
INGESTION: Ingestion of large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, muscular
weakness and lack of coordination.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED: Not available.
CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: Not available.
ACUTE OVEREXPOSURE: Ingestion or skin absorption of large amounts can cause intestinal
irritation, kidney injury, central nervous system depression, and drop in blood pressure.
CARCINOGENICITY: None.
P/N: 502-093
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 01180 Pg. 2
4. First Aid Measures
EYES: Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation occurs and persists, obtain
medical attention.
SKIN: Wash with soap and water. If irritation occurs and persists, obtain medical attention.
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air. If discomfort occurs and persists, obtain medical attention
INGESTION: Drink plenty of water and induce vomiting, by touching back of throat with finger, or
if available, by administering syrup of ipecac. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician.
NOTE TO PHYSICIAN: Effects of oral overexposure to lithium ion are well documented in the
medical literature, except with voluntary overexposure. In such cases, standard protocols for
overdose are suggested.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
FLAMMABLE PROPERTIES: Non-flammable.
Flash Point: Not available. Method Used: Not applicable.
Flammable Limits (% by Volume in Air):
Lower: None. Upper: None.
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not applicable.
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: None.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Any suitable for fire in surrounding area.
FIREFIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS: None.
6. Accidental Release Measures
SMALL/LARGE SPILL: Collect in a suitable container.
7. Handling and Storage
HANDLING: Wash thoroughly after handling.
STORAGE: Keep container closed.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
ENGINEERING CONTROLS: Provide adequate ventilation.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Wear a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator where adequate
ventilation is not available.
SKIN AND HAND PROTECTION: Rubber gloves.
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION: Safety glasses or goggles.
OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Quick-drench eyewash.
P/N: 502-093
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 01180 Pg. 3
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
APPEARANCE: White powder.
BOILING POINT: Not available.
FREEZE-MELT POINT: 1680 - 1685掳 F. (915 - 919掳 C.)
VAPOR PRESSURE (mm): Not applicable.
VAPOR DENSITY (air = 1): Not applicable.
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 2.7 Wt. % at 68掳 F. (20掳 C.)
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 2.4 g/cc @ 70掳 F. (21掳 C.)
pH: Not applicable.
ODOR: None.
PERCENT VOLATILES: Not applicable.
EVAPORATION RATE (Butyl Acetate = 1): Not applicable.
10. Stability and Reactivity
CHEMICAL STABILITY: Stable. INCOMPATIBILITY: Strong Acids.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: May produce oxides of lithium, boron, or
carbon.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: None.
11. Toxicological Information
Effects of Overexposure to Lithium Ion:
The use of this product in industrial and commercial applications presents no significant toxicity
hazard. The symptoms described below are based on therapeutic applications where relatively large
doses are taken orally by medically supervised patients.
Lithium Carbonate is used therapeutically at 500 - 2000 mg/day oral doses for specific mental
disorders. Therapeutic effects occur at blood levels of 2.8 - 8.3 mg lithium per liter. Minimal signs of
toxicity may also occur at these therapeutic levels and involve primarily gastrointestinal upset.
Increased dosage can produce tremors, drowsiness and unsteady gait. Signs of toxicity resolve rapidly
on cessation of treatment. Prolonged treatment at toxic levels result in dehydration, kidney damage,
weight loss and thyroid disturbances.
Some studies of pregnancy mice and rats were associated with birth defects but only at dose levels
large enough to produce signs of severe maternal toxicity. Studies of humans are inconclusive. The
lithium birth registry reveals no increased incidence of birth defects among potentially lithium-exposed
pregnancies, but it may show a greater than usual incidence of heart defects among the abnormal babies.
Women receiving therapeutic lithium carbonate treatments at the time of confinement have the potential
for delivery of a fetus with poor muscle tone, slowed heart rate and cyanosis. Full recovery usually
occurs within 2 - 10 days postpartum. Therapeutic and greater levels of lithium may pose a risk to the
concepts and potential benefits to the mother are weighed carefully in clinical situations.
Exposure to lithium ions in industrial settings is not considered to pose a risk to human health.
NIOSH studied 25 workers exposed to lithium-containing dust at air concentrations exceeding 10
mg/m3 (nuisance dust limit) and found that, with the exception of two having levels of 1.0 and 2.1 mg
lithium/liter, blood levels were below the detection limit (Health Hazard Evaluation Report HHE80-
036-922). It is unlikely that typical industrial exposure to lithium will result in blood levels sufficiently
high to produce toxicity in either adults or their offspring.
P/N: 502-093
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 01180 Pg. 4
12. Ecological Information
Not available.
13. Disposal Consideration
Dispose of waste according to federal EPA, state and local regulations.
14. Transportation Information
U.S.A. DOT: Not regulated.
15. Regulatory Information
U.S. FEDERAL REGULATIONS:
TSCA STATUS: On Toxic Substance Control Inventory.
CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITY: None.
SARA TITLE III:
Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances: None.
Section 311/312 Hazardous Categories: Acute.
Section 313 Toxic Chemicals: None.
RCRA STATUS: Not regulated.
CANADIAN REGULATIONS:
WHMIS: Not regulated.
16. Other Information
Hazard Index: (0 - 4, 4 = Extreme)
Health: 2 Fire: 0 Reactivity: 0
Prepared By:
Jason Whitt
Information herein is given in good faith as authoritative and valid; however, no warranty, expressed
or implied can be made.
P/N: 502-093
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