MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
BOC Gases, BOC Gases
Division of Division of
The BOC Group, Inc. BOC Canada Limited
575 Mountain Avenue 5975 Falbourne Street, Unit 2
Murray Hill, NJ 07974 Mississauga, Ontario L5R 3W6
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (908) 464-8100 TELEPHONE NUMBER: (905) 501-1700
24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300 (905) 501-0802
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN NO: 20101
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
CHEMICAL NAME: Germanium Chloride
COMMON NAMES/SYNONYMS: Not Available
TDG (Canada) CLASSIFICATION: 8
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: C, F, D2B
PREPARED BY: Loss Control (908)464-8100/(905)501-1700
PREPARATION DATE: 6/1/95
REVIEW DATES: 6/7/96
2. Composition, Information on Ingredients
PEL-OSHA1 TLV-ACGIH2
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Germanium Chloride 100.00 Not Available Not Available LC50
FORMULA: GeCl4 44,000
mg/m3/2H
CAS: 10038-98-9
RTECS #: LY5220000 (mouse)
1
As stated in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Z (revised July 1, 1993)
2
As stated in the ACGIH 1994-95 Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents
3. Hazards Identification
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Irritating or corrosive to the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. Reacts violently with water to
produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Hydrolyzes to hydrochloric acid within body tissues. Inhalation
may cause pulmonary edema.
ROUTE OF ENTRY:
Skin Contact Skin Absorption Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion
Yes No Yes Yes Yes
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 1 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
HEALTH EFFECTS:
Exposure Limits Irritant Sensitization
No Yes No
Teratogen Reproductive Hazard Mutagen
No No No
Synergistic Effects
Other pulmonary irritants
Carcinogenicity: -- NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
EYE EFFECTS:
Irritating or corrosive to the eyes. Mucosal irritation is like that from exposure to volatile inorganic acids.
SKIN EFFECTS:
Irritating or corrosive to the skin. It hydrolyzes very rapidly yielding hydrochloric acid. Mucosal irritation is
like that from exposure to volatile inorganic acids.
INGESTION EFFECTS:
Ingestion would cause irritation similar to that of dermal exposure. May burn mucous membranes of the mouth
and throat (esophagus).
INHALATION EFFECTS:
Irritating to the upper and lower respiratory tracts. It hydrolyzes yielding hydrochloric acid. Mucosal irritation
is like that from exposure to volatile inorganic acids. Symptoms would include cough, labored breathing and
excessive salivary and sputum formation. Excessive irritation of the lungs causes acute pneumonitis and
pulmonary edema which could be fatal.
Some germanium compounds have a hemolytic effect.
NFPA HAZARD CODES HMIS HAZARD CODES RATINGS SYSTEM
Health: 3 Health: 3 0 = No Hazard
Flammability: 0 Flammability: 0 1 = Slight Hazard
Reactivity: 2 Reactivity: 2 2 = Moderate Hazard
WATER REACTIVE 3 = Serious Hazard
4 = Severe Hazard
4. First Aid Measures
EYES:
Flush contaminated eye(s) with copious quantities of water. Part eyelids with fingers to assure complete
flushing. Continue for a minimum of 30 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.
SKIN:
Flush affected area with copious quantities of water. Remove affected clothing as rapidly as possible. Seek
medical attention.
INGESTION:
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Do not induce vomiting. In all cases, notify physician
and identify the nature of the hazard and the state of the victim. If conscious, have the victim rinse mouth
liberally with water. Give water to drink ONLY if conscious and under advice of medical personnel. CALL
POISON CONTROL CENTER AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. HAVE CONTAINER
HANDY TO GIVE INFORMATION FROM LABEL.
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 2 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
INHALATION:
PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION IS MANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF OVEREXPOSURE TO
GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE. RESCUE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-
CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. Conscious persons should be assisted to an uncontaminated area
and inhale fresh air. Unconscious persons should be moved to an uncontaminated area and given mouth-to-
mouth resuscitation and supplemental oxygen. Keep the victim warm and quiet. Assure that mucus or vomited
material does not obstruct the airway by positional drainage. Delayed pulmonary edema may occur. Keep
patient under medical observation for at least 24 hours.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Conditions of Flammability: Not flammable
Flash point: Method: Autoignition
None Not Applicable Temperature: None
LEL(%): None UEL(%): None
Hazardous combustion products: Cl-
Sensitivity to mechanical shock: None
Sensitivity to static discharge: None
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Nonflammable.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Media appropriate for surrounding materials. Product reacts with water to form corrosive fumes.
FIRE FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Germanium chloride reacts violently with water or steam to produce hydrochloric acid.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Evacuate all personnel from affected area. Use appropriate protective equipment. If leak is in user鈥檚 equipment,
be certain to purge piping with inert gas prior to attempting repairs. If leak is in container or container valve,
contact the appropriate emergency telephone number listed in Section 1 or call your closest BOC location.
7. Handling and Storage
Electrical Classification:
Nonhazardous.
System should be kept dry. Germanium chloride reacts with moisture to produce hydrochloric acid.
Use only in well-ventilated areas. Valve protection caps must remain in place unless container is secured with
valve outlet piped to use point. Do not drag, slide, or roll container. Use a suitable hand truck for container
movement. Do not heat container by any means to increase the discharge rate of product from the container.
Use a check valve or trap in the discharge line to prevent hazardous back flow into the cylinder. Use a pressure
reducing regulator when connecting cylinder to lower pressure (<300 psig) piping or systems. Consult
Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1.
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 3 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
Protect containers from physical damage. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heavily trafficked
areas and emergency exits. Do not allow the temperature to exceed 125oF (52oC). Containers should be stored
upright and firmly secured to prevent falling. Full and empty containers should be segregated. Use "first in-first
out" system to prevent full containers from being stored for excessive periods of time. Post NO SMOKING OR
OPEN FLAME signs in the area. There should be no sources of ignition in the storage or use areas.
Never carry a compressed gas cylinder or a container of a gas in cryogenic liquid form in an enclosed space such
as a car trunk, van or station wagon. A leak can result in a fire, explosion, asphyxiation or a toxic exposure.
8. Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
EXPOSURE LIMITS1:
PEL-OSHA2 TLV-ACGIH3
INGREDIENT % VOLUME LD50 or LC50
Route/Species
Germanium Chloride 100.00 Not Available Not Available LC50
FORMULA: GeCl4 44,000
mg/m3/2H
CAS: 10038-98-9
RTECS #: LY5220000 (mouse)
1
Refer to individual state of provincial regulations, as applicable, for limits which may be more stringent than
those listed here.
2
As stated in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Z (revised July 1, 1993)
3
As stated in the ACGIH 1994-1995 Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents.
BOC recommends using 5 ppm ceiling limit for Hydrogen Chloride.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
Hood with forced ventilation. Local Exhaust: To prevent accumulation above the exposure limits for
hydrochloric acid. Mechanical (General): In accordance with electrical codes.
EYE/FACE PROTECTION:
Safety goggles or glasses, plus a face shield.
SKIN PROTECTION:
Plastic or rubber.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
Positive pressure air line with full-face mask and escape bottle or self-contained breathing apparatus should be
available for emergency use.
OTHER/GENERAL PROTECTION:
Safety shoes, safety shower, eyewash "fountain".
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 4 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
PARAMETER VALUE UNITS
Physical state (gas, liquid, solid) : Fuming liquid
Vapor pressure : 1.5 psia
Vapor density at STP (Air = 1) : Not Available
Evaporation point : Not Available
o
Boiling point : 181.6 F
o
C
: 83.1
o
Freezing point : -57 F
o
: -49.5 C
pH : Not Applicable
Specific gravity : Not Available
Oil/water partition coefficient : Not Available
Solubility (H20) : Hydrolyzes
Odor threshold : Not Available
Odor and appearance : Colorless liquid with acrid, irritating odor
10. Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY:
Stable
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS:
Rapidly reacts with water or water vapor to form hydrochloric acid which reacts to most metals & many organic
materials with evolution of heat and hydrogen gas.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Hydrochloric acid and germanium oxide on hydrolysis.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur.
11. Toxicological Information
Inhalation of large quantities of germanium chloride produced necrosis of the tracheal epithelium, bronchitis and
interstitial pneumonia in experimental animals. These effects were not observed below 7 mg/m3.
Some germanium compounds act as hemolytic agents.
12. Ecological Information
No data given.
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 5 of 6
PRODUCT NAME: GERMANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
13. Disposal Considerations
Do not attempt to dispose of residual waste or unused quantities. Return in the shipping container PROPERLY
LABELED, WITH ANY VALVE OUTLET PLUGS OR CAPS SECURED AND VALVE PROTECTION CAP
IN PLACE to BOC Gases or authorized distributor for proper disposal.
14. Transport Information
PARAMETER United States DOT Canada TDG
Corrosive liquids, n.o.s. Corrosive liquids, n.o.s.
PROPER SHIPPING NAME:
(Germanium tetrachloride) (Germanium tetrachloride)
8 8
HAZARD CLASS:
UN 1760 UN 1760
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:
CORROSIVE CORROSIVE
SHIPPING LABEL:
15. Regulatory Information
SARA TITLE III NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION
SARA TITLE III - HAZARD CLASSES:
Acute Health Hazard
Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard
Reactive
16. Other Information
Compressed gas cylinders shall not be refilled without the express written permission of the owner. Shipment of
a compressed gas cylinder which has not been filled by the owner or with his/her (written) consent is a
violation of transportation regulations.
DISCLAIMER OF EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES:
Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this document, we extend no warranties and make
no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and assume no
responsibility regarding the suitability of this information for the user鈥檚 intended purposes or for the
consequences of its use. Each individual should make a determination as to the suitability of the information for
their particular purpose(s).
MSDS: G-36
Revised: 6/7/96 Page 6 of 6
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