ELECTRONIC SPACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
I PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Cerium Cerium Metal
Trade Name: Synonym:
Lanthanides Ce
Chem ical Nature: Form ula:
7440-4 5-1 140.12
CAS N umber: Molecular Weight:
II HAZAR DOUS INGRED IENTS
%
Haz ardous C omp onents OSHA/PEL ACGIH/TLV Other Sec.302 Sec.304 Sec.313
15 m g/m 3 10 m g/m 3 5 m g/m 3
Cerium Metal 0-100 No No No
HM IS Ratings: Hea lth: 2 Flam mab ility: 3 Reactivity: 2 Protective Equipment: F: glasses, gloves, du st mask
III PHYSICAL DATA
3257 to 3426 oC 795 to 799 oC
Boiling Point: Melting Point:
6.689 grams/cc N/A
Specific Gravity: Vapo r Density:
N/A Decomposes to form H 2
% V olatiles: Solubility in H 2O:
Silver powder and pieces, no odor Solid
Appearance and Odor: Physical State:
IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION H AZARDS DATA
Flash Point: N/A Method U sed: Flam ma ble solid
Flam mab le Limits: Upper: N/A Lower: N/A
Extingu ishing Media: Use Class D or other metal extinguishing agent. DO NOT USE WATER.
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Firefighters must wear full face, 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 & Explosion Hazards: Strong reducing agent. Ignites spontaneously in air at 150-180 oF. Mod erate explosion hazard
in the form of du st when exp osed to flame. Readily oxidizes in mo ist air at room tem perature. Reacts with water and acids to form
flamm able hydrog en gas. The m etal or its alloys spark with friction. May h ave an exp losive reaction with zinc. May have a v ery
exothermic reaction with bismuth or antimony. Ignites when heated with phosphorus and silicon.
V HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Effects of Exposure:
The greatest exposures a re likely to be during m anu facturing of cerium . Exp osed wo rkers hav e exp erienced sensitivity to
heat, itching and skin lesions. Large do ses to experimental animals have cau sed writhing, ataxia (loss of mu scle coordination),
labored respiration, sedation, hypotension and death by cardiovascular collapse. The salts of cerium increase the blood coagulation
rate. (Sax, Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, eighth edition)
Cerium is considered a rare earth m etal. These metals are moderately to highly toxic. The sym ptoms of toxicity of the rare
earth elements include writhing, ataxia, labored respiration, walking on the toes with arched back and sedation. The rare earth
elem ents ex hibit low toxicity b y ing estion exposure. How ever, the intraperitone al rou te is high ly tox ic wh ile the su bcu taneo us route
is poiso n to m ode rately toxic. The produc tion o f skin and lung gran ulom as after exposure to them requ ires extensive pro tection to
prevent such exp osure. (Sax, Dangero us Properties of Industrial Materials, eighth edition)
Acute E ffects:
Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract and mucous membrane. Dusts may cause asthma attacks and lung damage
such as lung granulomas. Large doses may cause writhing, loss of muscle coordination, labored respiration, sedation, hypotension
and cardiovascular collap se.
Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Skin : May cause irritation, rashes and skin granu lomas.
Eye: May cause irritation.
Chro nic Effects:
Inhalation: Prolonged or repeated inhalation may cause writhing, loss of muscle coordination, labored respiration, sedation,
hypotension and cardiovascular collapse.
Ingestion: May affect the coagulation rate of the blood.
Skin : May cause dermatitis, sensitivity to heat, itching and skin lesions.
Eye: No chronic health effects recorded.
Target Organs: May affect the respiratory system, blood and skin.
Carcino genicity: NTP? No IAR C M onograp hs? No OSHA Regulated? No
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Pre-existing resp iratory disord ers.
EMERG ENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Remove victim to fresh air, keep warm and quiet. Give oxygen if breathing is difficult and seek medical attention.
INGESTION: Give 1-2 glasses of milk or water and induce vom iting, seek medical attention. Never induce vomiting or give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
SK IN: Remove contaminated clothing, brush material off skin, wash affected area with mild soap and water. Seek medical attention
if irritation persists.
EYES: Flush with lukewarm water, lifting upper and lower eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation
persists.
VI REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Unstable
Cond itions To Avo id Instability: Air and mo isture
Co nditio ns to Av oid: Thin foils & powders in air, heat and flame.
Incompatibility (Material to Avoid): Strong ac ids, water, m oisture, zinc, antim ony, bismu th, carbon dioxide , halogen s, phosp horu s,
silicon, strong o xidizing a gents.
Haz ardous D ecomposition Produc ts: Hydrogen gas
Hazardous Polymerization: Will Not Occur
VII SPILL OR LEAK PROC EDURES
Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled: We ar appropriate respira tory and protective equipm ent specified in
Section VIII. Isolate spill area, provide ventilation and extinguish sources of ignition. Vacuum up spill using a high efficiency
particulate absolute (HEPA ) air filter and place in a closed co ntainer for p roper d isposal. Tak e care no t to raise dust. Use
non-sparking tools.
-Cerium 2-
Waste Disposal Method: Dispose o f in accord ance w ith Loca l, State and Federal w aste disposal reg ulations.
VIII SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Respiratory Protection (Specify Type): NIOSH approved dust respirator.
Ventilation: Use local exhaust to maintain concentration at or below the PE L, TLV . Handle in a controlled atmosph ere, in an inert
gas such as argon. General exhaust is not recommended
Protective Gloves: Neoprene, PVC, Butyl gloves
Eye Protection: Safety glasses
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: Protective gear suitable to prevent contamination.
IX SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Precautions To Be Taken in Handling and Storing: Store metal in inert gas or oil to prevent oxidation.
Other Precautions: Thin foils and finely divided metal can oxidize rapidly in air.
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 or skin with comp ressed air.
The abo ve inform ation is believ ed to be co rrect, but do es no t purp ort to b e all inclu sive an d sha ll be used only as a gu ide.
ESPI shall not be held liab le for any d am ages resultin g from h and ling o r from contact with the abov e pro duc t.
Issued by: S. Dierks
Date: October 2002
-Cerium 3-
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