Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS, for Zinc Oxide Nanowires

Effective Date: 02/20/2005.



Manufacturer:

NanoLab, Inc.

55 Chapel St.                       Phone: 617 581 6747

Newton, MA 02458                    Fax 617 581 6749





1. Product Identification



Synonyms: ZnO nanorods, calamine, zincite, chinese white, zinc white, flowers of zinc

CAS No.: 1314-13-2

Molecular Weight: 81.38

Chemical Formula: ZnO





2. Composition/Information on Ingredients



Ingredient        CAS No             Percent           Hazardous

--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------

Zinc Oxide 1314-13-2                99 - 100%          Yes



3. Hazards Identification



CAUTION! MAY IRRITATE RESPIRATORY TRACT.



Health Rating: 2 - Moderate

Flammability Rating: 0 - None

Reactivity Rating: 0 � None

Contact Rating: 1 - Slight

Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT, DUST MASK

Storage Color Code: Orange (General Storage)

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Potential Health Effects



Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing

and shortness of breath. Inhalation can cause a flu-like illness (metal fume fever). This

24- to 48-hour illness is characterized by chills, fever, aching muscles, dryness in the

mouth and throat and headache.



Ingestion: Large oral doses may cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.



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

Eye Contact: Not expected to be a health hazard.



Chronic Exposure: No information found.



Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with a pre-existing heart condition or

impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance.





4. First Aid Measures



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



Ingestion: Not expected to require first aid measures. If large amounts were swallowed,

give water to drink and get medical advice.



Skin Contact: Not expected to require first aid measures. Wash exposed area with soap

and water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.



Eye Contact: Not expected to require first aid measures. Wash thoroughly with running

water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.





5. Fire Fighting Measures



Fire: Not considered to be a fire hazard.



Explosion: Finely divided powder presents an explosion hazard.



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



Special Information: In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-

approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure

demand or other positive pressure mode. Zinc oxide fume may be released

when heated.





6. Accidental Release Measures

Clean-up personnel require protective clothing and respiratory protection from dust.

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. Isolate from incompatible substances. 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



OSHA PEL



The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible

exposure limit (PEL) for zinc oxide is 15 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3)) of air for

total dust, ()and 5 mg/m(3) for the respirable fraction as an 8-hour time-weighted average

(TWA) concentration [29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1].



* NIOSH REL



The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established

recommended exposure limits (RELs) for zinc oxide of 5 mg/m(3) for total dust as a

TWA for up to a 10-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and a 15 minute ceiling of

15 mg/m(3) [NIOSH 1992].



* ACGIH TLV



The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned

zinc oxide a threshold limit value (TLV) of 10 mg/m(3) for total dust (containing no

asbestos and <1% crystalline silica), as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-

hour workweek. The ACGIH has assigned a TLV-TWA of 5 mg/m(3) and a TLV-STEL

of 10 mg/m(3) to zinc oxide fume [ACGIH 1994, p. 36].



* Rationale for Limits



The NIOSH limit is based on the risk of metal fume fever [NIOSH 1992].



The ACGIH limit is based on providing reasonable control of this nuisance dust [ACGIH

1991, p. 1756].



Ventilation System: A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep

employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is

generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source,

preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH

document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent

edition, for details.



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: Use chemical safety goggles. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-

drench facilities in work area.





9. Physical and Chemical Properties



Melting Point: 1975oC (3587F)                  Boiling Point: Sublimes.



Specific Gravity: 5.65-5.67                    Evaporation Rate: n/a



Odor Threshold: Odorless                       pH: No information found.



Vapor Density (Air=1): Not measured.           Vapor Pressure (mm Hg): Not measured.



Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1): Not measured. % Volatiles: 0



Appearance: Fine, white, odorless powder

Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; soluble in dilute acetic or mineral acids,

ammonia, ammonium chloride, ammonium carbonate, and fixed alkali solutions;

insoluble in alcohol.







10. Stability and Reactivity



Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Absorbs carbon dioxide

from air.



Hazardous Decomposition Products: When heated to very high temperatures, zinc oxide

sublimes to produce toxic fumes.



Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.



Incompatibilities: Contact between zinc oxide and chlorinated rubber, linseed oil,

magnesium, hydrogen fluoride, aluminum + hexachloroethane, zinc chloride or

phosphoric acid, and water should be avoided.

3. Hazardous decomposition products: Toxic gases such as zinc oxide fumes may be

released in a fire involving zinc oxide.



Conditions to Avoid: Heat, incompatibles. Zinc oxide will absorb carbon dioxide from

the air and form zinc carbonate. Prolonged contact with water will cause zinc oxide to

slowly decompose.



Note: Nanoparticulate materials may be more reactive than their larger counterparts





11. Toxicological Information

Summary of toxicology � for particulate ZnO.



1. Effects on Animals: Zinc oxide can affect the lungs and the reproductive system in

experimental animals; it is also an experimental mutagen. Topical administration of zinc

oxide to rabbits, mice, and guinea pigs failed to cause either skin irritation or signs of

systemic toxicity [ACGIH 1991, p. 1754]. The oral LD(50) in mice is 7,950 mg/kg

[NIOSH 1991]. The LC(50) in mice is 2,500 mg/m(3) (duration not provided) [NIOSH

1991]. Guinea pigs exposed to 1,000 to 2,600 mg/m(3) zinc oxide for one hour had initial

hypothermia followed by an increase in body temperature 6 to 18 hours later [ACGIH

1991, p. 1754]. Rats inhaling 2,500 mg/m(3) for three to four hours died either during or

immediately after the exposure [ACGIH 1991, p. 1754]. During a 1-hour inhalation

study, guinea pigs inhaling 0.7 mg/m(3) showed no change in pulmonary airway

resistance. Progressive diminution in lung compliance was observed in these animals

[ACGIH 1991, p. 1754]. Guinea pigs exposed to 5 or 7 mg/m(3) zinc oxide fume for 3

hours/day for 5 and 6 days, respectively, had transient changes in pulmonary function

with small airway inflammation and edema. These animals showed reduced total lung

capacity, vital capacity, and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. No adverse effects were

observed in guinea pigs exposed to zinc oxide fume at a concentration of 2.7 mg/m(3)

[ACGIH 1991, p. 1754]. In a teratogenicity study, rats were administered 100 or 200

mg/kg/day zinc oxide for 21 days prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. Increased

fetal deaths and reduced fetal body weights were reported for the 200 mg/kg/day group,

but no adverse effects were observed at 100 mg/kg/day [ACGIH 1991, p. 1754]. Zinc

oxide was mutagenic in in vitro test systems [NIOSH 1991].



2. Effects on Humans: Zinc oxide dust is primarily a nuisance dust, but exposures to high

concentrations can result in respiratory system effects in humans. Volunteers inhaling

600 mg/m(3) zinc oxide dust for 10 minutes exhibited persistent rales, decreased vital

capacity, coughing, upper respiratory tract irritation and substernal pain. Studies have

reported that exposures to concentrations up to 430 mg/m(3) zinc oxide, resulted in chest

pain [ACGIH 1991, p. 1755]. Inhalation of zinc oxide fume can result in metal fume

fever. This in a self limiting condition characterized by flu-like symptoms which resolve

within 24 to 48 hours [ACGIH 1991, p. 1755]. Repeated exposures to zinc oxide by skin

contact have resulted in papular-pustular skin eruptions in the axilla, inner thigh, inner

arm, scrotum and pubic areas [ACGIH 1991]. Epidemiologic studies of zinc refinery

workers found no correlation between industrial zinc exposures and lung or other types of

cancer [ACGIH 1991].



* Signs and symptoms of exposure



1. Acute exposure: Acute exposure to zinc oxide can result in coughing, substernal pain,

upper respiratory tract irritation, rales, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting.



2. Chronic exposure: Chronic exposure to zinc oxide by skin contact may result in

papular-pustular skin eruptions in the axilla, inner thigh, inner arm, scrotum and pubic

areas.





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.



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.





15. Other Information



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



Label Hazard Warning: CAUTION! MAY IRRITATE RESPIRATORY TRACT.



Label Precautions: Avoid breathing dust. Keep container closed. Use with adequate

ventilation.

Label First Aid: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing

difficulty.



Product Use: Laboratory Reagent.



Revision Information: No changes.



For more information, see

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/zincoxide/recognition.html





Disclaimer:

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NanoLab, 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. NanoLab, 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,

NanoLab, Inc. will not be responsible for damages resulting from use of or reliance upon

this information.

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