Material Safety Data Sheet
Fluoboric Acid Solution
1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Fluoboric Acid Solution
PRODUCT NAME:
Fluoroboric Acid; Hydrofluoboric Acid; Hydrogen Tetrafluoroborate
OTHER/GENERIC NAMES:
Industrial
PRODUCT USE:
General Chemical Corporation
MANUFACTURER:
90 East Halsey Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-515-1840 800-631-8050
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL:
(24 Hours/Day, 7 Days/Week)
(Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:30pm)
2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENT NAME CAS NUMBER WEIGHT %
Fluoboric acid 16872-11-0 48-50
Water 7732-18-5 Balance
Trace impurities and additional material names not listed above may appear in Section 15 of this MSDS. These
materials may be listed for local "Right-To-Know" compliance and for other reasons.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: This product is considered hazardous under the OSHA Hazard
Communication Standard.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: A colorless liquid with a slightly pungent odor. Causes
irritation and burns to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Harmful if inhaled or swallowed.
Corrosive.
POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Vapors will irritate skin with prolonged exposure producing strong, corrosive action. Direct
SKIN:
contact may cause typical inorganic acid burns and ulceration.
Vapors will irritate and cause eyes to tear. As with skin, it is estimated to be capable of
EYES:
causing burns and permanent corneal damage upon direct contact.
Vapors will irritate nose, throat and mucous membranes with coughing and choking. In
INHALATION:
severe exposures, it is estimated to be capable of possibly causing pulmonary edema.
It is estimated to be capable of serious and rapid corrosion of the mouth, esophagus and
INGESTION:
gastrointestinal tract. May result in difficult breathing, stomach pain, and circulatory shock.
Systemic fluoride poisoning is likely with severe and potentially fatal hypocalcemia occurring.
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 1 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
DELAYED EFFECTS: Chronic exposure to fluorides is associated with osseous fluorosis (increased
radiographic density of bones, mottling of teeth, etc.). Kidney damage, asthma and
symptoms resembling rheumatism may occur.
Ingredients found on one of the three OSHA designated carcinogen lists are listed below.
INGREDIENT NAME NTP STATUS IARC STATUS OSHA LIST
No ingredients listed in this section.
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Promptly wash with plenty of soap and water, then flush with water until all chemical is removed
SKIN:
(an additional 15 minutes). Remove any contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. If burns
develop or irritation persists, get prompt medical attention.
Immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open to allow
EYES:
thorough flushing (use water only). Seek medical evaluation of potential corneal damage.
Immediately remove to fresh air and call a physician. If not breathing, give artificial respiration,
INHALATION:
preferably mouth to mouth. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen, provided a qualified operator is
available.
Call a physician. Do not induce vomiting. Give large quantities of water or milk. Give at least one
INGESTION:
ounce of milk of magnesia or aluminum hydroxide gel in equal amount of water. If these are not
available, the whites of 2 to 3 eggs may be used. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious
person.
Treat symptomatically.
ADVICE TO PHYSICIAN:
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
FLAMMABLE PROPERTIES
Not applicable
FLASH POINT:
Not applicable
FLASH POINT METHOD:
Not applicable
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE:
Not applicable
UPPER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
Not applicable
LOWER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
Not applicable
FLAME PROPAGATION RATE (solids):
Not applicable
OSHA FLAMMABILITY CLASS:
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or foam. If material is involved in a fire, select the agent most suitable
for the type of surrounding fire.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
The material attacks many metals, evolving hydrogen, a flammable and explosive gas.
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 2 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PRECAUTIONS/INSTRUCTIONS:
Firefighters should wear NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece. Wear full
protective clothing and avoid bodily contact with the material. Keep fire-exposed containers cool with water spray,
applied from as far a distance as possible.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
IN CASE OF SPILL OR OTHER RELEASE: (See section 8 for recommended personal protective equipment.)
Provide good ventilation and personal protection. Stop leak if without risk. Neutralize spill with lime, soda ash or
crushed limestone. Take up with sand or other absorbent material and place into container, cover, label and store
for later disposal. Flush area to dilute any material remaining, keeping run-off away from metals, etc., and out of
sewers.
Spills and releases may have to be reported to Federal and/or local authorities. See Section 15 regarding
reporting requirements.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
NORMAL HANDLING: (See section 8 for recommended personal protective equipment.)
Do not get in eyes, on skin or clothing. Avoid breathing mist, if formed. Keep containers tightly closed. Use with
adequate ventilation and observe good personal hygiene and good housekeeping practices. Wash thoroughly
after handling. Handle as a strong acid.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Store at moderate temperatures, out of the sun and in a dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible
materials. Keep containers closed and protect from physical damage.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
If material is heated or misted, provide local exhaust (corrosion-resistant construction) or a special, fully enclosed
system (e.g., hood) as an alternative. Mechanical (general) ventilation is normally adequate under ambient
conditions with no mist.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wear impervious apron and gloves for routine product use. For increased
SKIN PROTECTION:
protection, if repeated or prolonged contact with material is anticipated, wear
impervious jacket, trousers and boots. Remove promptly and wash any items upon
contamination.
Under normal conditions, wear chemical safety goggles; add a full-face plastic
EYE PROTECTION:
shield if there is any possibility of splashing or liquid contacting the eyes. Do not
wear contact lenses.
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 3 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
For low levels of mist (<10 x TLV) use NIOSH-approved dust or mist respirator. For
RESPIRATORY
intermediate levels (>10 x but <100 x TLV), use NIOSH-approved, full face, air
PROTECTION:
cleaning respirators for both lung and eye protection. For high levels, use NIOSH-
approved, self-contained or supplied-air breathing systems.
Provide eyewash stations and quick-drench shower facilities near all work and
ADDITIONAL
handling areas. Provide neutralization supplies and equipment, as needed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
INGREDIENT NAME ACGIH TLV OSHA PEL OTHER LIMIT
2.5 mg/m3 (as F)
Fluoboric acid 2.5 ppm (as F) ----
1
= Limit established by General Chemical Corporation.
2
= Workplace Environmental Exposure Level (AIHA).
3
= Biological Exposure Index (ACGIH).
OTHER EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR POTENTIAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
None.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Colorless liquid
APPEARANCE:
Liquid
PHYSICAL STATE:
86.81 (solute only)
MOLECULAR WEIGHT:
HBF4 in water
CHEMICAL FORMULA:
Slightly pungent odor
ODOR:
1.0 鈥?1.4 @ 20C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (water = 1.0):
Complete (with limited hydrolysis)
SOLUBILITY IN WATER (weight %):
Strongly acidic in solution
pH:
Decomposes 130C
BOILING POINT:
-75C (Freezing)
MELTING POINT:
5-10 (estimated)
VAPOR PRESSURE:
3.0 (estimated)
VAPOR DENSITY (air = 1.0):
~1 Butyl acetate
EVAPORATION RATE: COMPARED TO:
Unknown
% VOLATILES:
Not applicable
FLASH POINT:
(Flash point method and additional flammability data are found in Section 5.)
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
NORMALLY STABLE? (CONDITIONS TO AVOID):
Stable under normal conditions. May ignite combustibles. Toxic gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars.
INCOMPATIBILITIES:
Water-reactive materials, cyanides, strong bases, sulfides, carbonates, many metals. (These can cause
exothermic reactions and/or evolution of toxic gases.) Dehydration of aqueous fluoboric acid by addition of acetic
anhydride is also exothermic, requiring caution.
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 4 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
At the boiling point it emits toxic mist. At some point, the residual liquid decomposes on further heating, forming
boron trifluoride and hydrogen fluoride gases.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
IMMEDIATE (ACUTE) EFFECTS:
LD50(oral-rat): 100 mg/kg
DELAYED (SUBCHRONIC AND CHRONIC) EFFECTS:
No data available.
OTHER DATA:
None.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Data not available.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
RCRA
If yes, the RCRA ID number is: D002
Is the unused product a RCRA hazardous
waste if discarded? Yes
OTHER DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Disposal of waste Fluoboric Acid solution may be subject to federal, state and local regulations. Users should
review their operations in terms of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, then consult with
appropriate regulatory agencies before discharging or disposing of waste material. Waste may have to be
disposed of by an approved chemical wastes contractor.
The information offered in section 13 is for the product as shipped. Use and/or alterations to the product such as
mixing with other materials may significantly change the characteristics of the material and alter the RCRA
classification and the proper disposal method.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
8, PG II
US DOT HAZARD CLASS:
UN1775
US DOT ID NUMBER:
Fluoroboric acid
PROPER SHIPPING NAME:
For additional information on shipping regulations affecting this material, contact the information number found in
Section 1.
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 5 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA)
Listed on the TSCA inventory.
TSCA INVENTORY STATUS:
None
OTHER TSCA ISSUES:
SARA TITLE III/CERCLA
"Reportable Quantities" (RQs) and/or "Threshold Planning Quantities" (TPQs) exist for the following ingredients.
INGREDIENT NAME SARA/CERCLA RQ (lb) SARA EHS TPQ (lb)
No ingredients listed in this section.
Spills or releases resulting in the loss of any ingredient at or above its RQ requires immediate notification
to the National Response Center [(800) 424-8802] and to your Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Immediate
SECTION 311 HAZARD CLASS:
SARA 313 TOXIC CHEMICALS:
The following ingredients are SARA 313 "Toxic Chemicals" and may be subject to annual reporting requirements.
CAS numbers and weight percents are found in Section 2.
INGREDIENT NAME COMMENT
No ingredients listed in this section.
STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW
In addition to the ingredients found in Section 2, the following are listed for state right-to-know purposes.
INGREDIENT NAME WEIGHT % COMMENT
No ingredients listed in this section.
ADDITIONAL REGULATORY INFORMATION:
None
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION (CANADA):
Class D1B and E
FOREIGN CHEMICAL CONTROL INVENTORY STATUS:
Listed on Canadian DSL and European EINECS.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
May, 2002
CURRENT ISSUE DATE:
January, 1992
PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE:
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 6 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Fluoboric Acid Solution
CHANGES TO MSDS FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE ARE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Change in format.
NOT FOR FOOD OR DRUG USE.
OTHER INFORMATION:
MSDS Number: GC-3042 Page 7 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
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