ELECTRONIC SPACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
I PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Beryllium Boride Be 2B
Trade Name: Form ula:
12536 -51-5 Metal boride
CAS #: Ch em ical Fam ily:
II HAZAR DOUS INGRED IENTS
Hazardous Component % OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV Sec. 302 Sec. 304 Sec. 313
.002 mg /m 3 .002 mg /m 3
Beryllium Boride 0-100 No Yes 1 lb Yes
HM IS Ratings (0-4): Hea lth: 4 Flam mab ility: 0 0
Reactivity:
III PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Boiling Point ( oC): N/E or N /A N/E or N /A
Melting Point:
N/A N/E
Vapo r Density: Specific Gravity:
N/E, may decompose to BeO and H 3B N/A
Solubility in H 2O: Vapor Pressure:
Brown to black powder, no odor N/A
Appearance and Odor: % V olatiles:
IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION H AZARDS DATA
Flash Point (Method used): N/A , Non-flam ma ble Explosive Lim its: Lower: N/A Upper: N/A
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Wear full face, and self-contained breathing apparatus with full protective clothing to prevent
contact with skin and eyes. Fumes from fire are hazardous. Isolate runoff to prevent environmental pollution.
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Beryllium boride may emit toxic fumes involved in a fire.
V HEALTH H AZARD DA TA
Effects of Exposure:
To the best of our knowledge the chemical, physical and toxicological properties of beryllium boride have not been
thoroughly investigated and recorded.
Exposure to bery llium com pou nds is by inhalatio n or locally on the skin. Exp osure m ay ca use d erm atitis, chro nic skin
ulcers, rhinitis, nasop hary ngitis, ep istaxis, bronchitis, an d in severe cases th e dev elopme nt of acute p neu mo nitis with cough , scanty
sputum, low grade fever, rales, dyspnea, and substernal pain. There may be radiographic changes of the lungs which typically show a
diffuse haziness. May cause pulmonary edema and fatal pneumonitis. A delayed form of lung disease, characterized by
granulom atous areas in the lung tissue, has been caused b y industrial exposure. Symp toms can ap pear imm ediately or up to five years
after exposure, and include shortness of breath, loss of appetite, loss of weight, fatigue, cyanosis, and increased cardiac or respiratory
failure. Accidental subcutaneous ex posure can ca use gran viorm atous tum ors.
Boron comp ounds are very toxic and therefore considered an industrial poison. Boron is one of a group of elements, such as
Pb, Mn, As, which effects the central nervous system. Boron poisoning causes depression of the circulation, persistent vomiting and
diarrhea, followed by profound shock and comma. The temperature becomes subnormal and a scarlatina form rash may cover the
entire body (Sax, Da ngerous Prop erties of Industrial Materials, eighth ed.).
Acute E ffects:
Inhalation: May cause irritation to the u pper respiratory tract, pn eum onitis, nasopharyn gitis, lung fibrosis, dyspnea, weigh t loss,
inflam ma tion and edem a of the larynx and b ronchi.
Ingestion: May cause boron poisoning.
Skin : May cause irritation, contact dermatitis and non-healing ulcerations at the site of injury.
Eye: May cause irritation, con junctivitis and co rneal bu rns.
Chro nic Effects:
Inhalation: May cause pulmonary granu lomas and b erylliosis.
Ingestion: No chronic health effects recorded.
Skin : May cause dermatitis and chron ic skin ulcers.
Eye: Ma y cau se visu al impairm ent.
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, Skin, Eyes, Ingestion
Target Organs: May affect the lung s, thorax, respiration, liver, mu cous m embranes, skin and eyes.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Pre-existing lun g and skin disord ers.
Carcino genicity: NTP: Yes IARC M onographs: Yes OSH A Regulated: Yes
EMERG ENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air, keep warm and quiet, give oxygen if breathing is hard and seek imm ediate medical attention.
INGESTION: If conscious, give 1-2 glasses of milk or water and induce vomiting, seek medical attention. Never give anything by
mouth or induce vomiting on an unconscious person.
SK IN: Remove contaminated clothing, brush material off skin, wash affected area with mild soap and water, seek medical attention
immediately.
EYES: Flush eyes with lukewarm water, lifting upper and lower eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
VI REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable
Co nditio ns to Av oid: None
Incompatibilities: Water, strong acids an d bases.
Haz ardous D ecomposition or Bypro ducts: Beryllium oxide and H 3B.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
VII PRECA UTIONS FO R SAFE H ANDL ING AN D USE
Steps to Be Taken in Case Material Is Released or Spilled: We ar appropriate respira tory and protective equipm ent specified in
Section VIII - Special Protection Information. Isolate spill area and provide ventilation. Vacuum up spill using a high efficiency
particulate absolute (H EPA) air filter and place in a closed container fo r proper d isposal. Tak e care not to raise dust.
Waste Disposal Method: Observ e all federal, state & local regulation s.
-Beryllium Boride Be 2B 2-
VIII SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Respiratory Protection (Specify Type): Wear a NIO SH-app roved du st, mist, fume cartridge respirator.
Ventilation: Use local exhaust to maintain concentration at or below the PEL, TLV. Handle in a controlled atmosphere. General
exh aust is not recom me nde d.
Protective Gloves: Rubb er glove s.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses
Other Protective Equipment/Clothing: Protective gear suitable to prevent contamination.
IX ADDITIONAL COM MENTS
Precautions to Be Taken in Handling and Storage: Store in cool, dry area. Store in tightly sealed container. Wa sh tho roughly
after handling.
Wo rk Practices: Imp lem ent en gineering and wo rk practice controls to re duc e and ma intain c onc entration o f exp osure at low levels.
Use good housekeeping and sanitation practices. Do not use tobacco or food in work area. Wash thoroughly before eating and
smok ing. Do not blow dust off clothing with comp ressed air.
Some of the chemicals listed herein are research or experimental substances which may be toxic, as defined by various
governmental regulations. In accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulation and the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA), these materials should only be handled by, or under the direct supervision of, a "technically qualified individual", as defined
in 40 CFR 710.2(aa).
The above information is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, since, data, safety standards, and government
regulation are subject to change, and the conditions of handling and use or misuse are beyond our control, ESPI Makes No Warranty,
either Expressed or Implied, with Respect to the Completeness or Continuing Accuracy of the Information Contained Herein, and
Disclaims All L iability fo r Reliance Thereon. Users should satisfy them selves that the y have all current data relev ant to their
particular use.
Prepared by: S. Dierks
Dated: December 1995
-Beryllium Boride Be 2B 3-
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