ELECTRONIC SPACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520
Toll Free (800) 638-2581 * Fax (541) 488-8313
E-Mail: sales@espimetals.com
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
I PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Tellurium Te
Trade Name: Form ula:
Aurum paradoxum, metallum probiematum, telloy Metallic Element
Synonym: Ch em ical Fam ily:
13494 -80-9
CAS #:
II HAZAR DOUS INGRED IENTS
Haz ardous C omp onents % OSHA/PEL ACGIH/TLV Sec. 302 Sec. 304 Sec. 313
0.1 m g/m 3 0.1 m g/m 3
Tellurium 100 No No No
HM IS Ratings: Hea lth: 3 Flam mab ility: 0 Reactivity: 0 Pro tectiv e Eq uip: H: Glasses, gloves, clothing, combo resp.
III PHYSICAL DATA
990 oC 450 oC
Boiling Point: Melting Point:
6.24 gm/cc at 30 oC N/E or NA
Specific Gravity: Vapo r Density:
N/E or N /A Insoluble
% V olatiles: Solubility in H 2O:
Silvery-white or dark gray p owd er and pieces, no odo r.
Appearance and Odor:
IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION H AZARDS DATA
Flash Point: N/E or N /A Method U sed: Non-flam ma ble
Explosive Lim its: Lower: N/A Upper: N/A
Extingu ishing Media: Use suitable extinguishing media for surrounding materials and type of fire.
Special Firefighting Procedures: Firefighters m ust w ear fu ll face, self-con tained breathing apparatus with full pro tective clothing to
prevent contact with skin and eyes. Fumes from fire are hazardous. Isolate runoff to prevent environmental pollution.
Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazard: When heated to decomposition, tellurium may em it toxic fumes of tellurium. Burns in air with a
greenish-blue flame, forming tellurium dioxide. May have a hazardous reaction with halogens, interhalogens, metals, hexalithium
disilicide, silver bromate and silver iodate.
V HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion.
Effects of Exposure:
Elemental tellurium has relatively low toxicity. It is converted in the body to dimethyl telluride which imparts a garlic-like
odor to the breath and sweat. Heavy exposures may, in addition, result in headache, drowsiness, metallic taste, loss of appetite, nausea,
tremors, convulsions, and respiratory arrest. (Sax, Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, eighth edition)
Acute E ffects:
Inhalation: Toxic by inhalation. Dust may cause irritation to the respiratory system, dry mouth, garlic odor to breath, sweat and urine,
nausea and vomiting.
Ingestion: Poison by ingestion. May cause dry mouth, suppression of sweat, garlic odor to breath and urine.
Skin : May cause irritation and itching.
Eye: May cause irritation.
Chro nic Effects:
Inhalation: May cause anorexia, nausea, depression to the central nervous system and som nolence.
Ingestion: May cause anorexia, nausea, depression to the central nervous system and som nolence.
Skin : May cause dermatitis.
Eye: No chronic health effects recorded.
Target Organs: No target organs recorded.
Carcino genicity: NTP: No IARC: No OSHA: No
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: None recorded.
EMERG ENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Remove 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 vomiting; seek medical attention immediately. Never induce vomiting or
give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
SK IN: Rem ove contaminated clothing; b rush ma terial off skin; w ash affected area with m ild soap and w ater. Seek m edica l attention if
sym ptom s persist.
EYE: Flush eyes with lukewarm water, lifting upper and lower eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if symptoms
persist.
VI REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable
Co nditio ns to Av oid: None
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Halogens, interhalogens, metals, hexalithium disilicide, silver bromate, silver iodate.
Haz ardous D ecomposition Produc ts: Oxides of tellurium and hydrogen telluride.
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 and provide ventilation Vacuum up spill using a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) air filter
and place in a closed container fo r proper d isposal. Tak e care not to raise dust.
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 respirator.
Ventilation: Local exhaust ventilation may be necessary to control any air contaminants to within their PELs or TLVs during the use of
this product. Good general exhaust is recommended.
Protective Gloves: Rubber gloves
Eye Protection: Safety glasses.
-Tellurium 2-
Other Protective Equipment: Protective gear suitable to prevent contamination.
IX SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Precautions to Be Taken in Handling and Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place. Wash hands and face
thoroughly after handling and before eating. Do not get in eyes, on skin or clothing. Do not breathe dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Keep
container closed.
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 goo d ho usek eeping and sa nitation practices. Do no t use tobacco or food in w ork area. W ash thorough ly before eating or sm okin g.
Do no t blow dust off clothing or skin with com pressed air.
The above information is believed to be correct, but does not purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide. ESPI
shall not be held liable fo r any dam age resulting from h and ling o r from contact with the abov e pro duc t.
Issued By: S. Dierks
Dated: January 2003
-Tellurium 3-
|