Material Safety Data Sheet: Ammonium Metavanadate

Identification

Product Name: Ammonium Metavanadate
Chemical Formula: NH₄VO₃
CAS Number: 7803-55-6
Synonyms: Ammonium vanadate, Vanadic acid ammonium salt
Recommended Use: Catalyst, mordant, analytical reagent, ceramics, glass manufacturing, chemical synthesis
Supplier Details: Manufacturer and distributor contact details printed on label
Emergency Contact: National emergency poison center or emergency health hotline

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Inhalation (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Dermal (Category 3), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, toxic if inhaled, causes serious eye irritation, may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, health hazard, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes, wear protective gloves and clothing, wash hands after handling, do not eat or drink when using substance, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area
Health Hazards: Eye, skin, respiratory tract irritation, systemic toxicity affecting kidney and liver, risk of chronic vanadium exposure
Environmental Risks: Dangerous to aquatic environment, potential for soil and groundwater contamination

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Ammonium Metavanadate
Concentration: Greater than 98% by weight
Impurities: Minor trace impurities such as sodium salts, silicates, or other vanadium oxides (below 2%)

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush immediately with plenty of water, lifting eyelids to irrigate thoroughly, seek medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin with soap and copious amounts of water, seek immediate medical help for irritation or symptoms
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, get medical attention without delay
Inhalation: Remove from exposure to fresh air, monitor for respiratory distress, provide oxygen if breathing is labored, get immediate medical attention
Most Important Symptoms: Burning of eyes and skin, cough, headache, nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, bluish discoloration of lips due to methemoglobinemia
Immediate Medical Attention: Necessary for all routes of exposure due to high toxicity, monitor for delayed effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct stream of water which may cause violent spattering; do not use as solid jet
Special Hazards Arising: Decomposes on heating to produce ammonia vapors, nitrogen oxides, vanadium oxides, toxic metal fumes
Protective Equipment: Full-face self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear including chemical-resistant clothing
Fire-Fighting Procedures: Move containers away from fire area if safe, avoid runoff into drains or waterways, control water used for extinguishing
Explosion Hazard: Not explosive under normal fire conditions

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, evacuate unnecessary personnel, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, do not breathe dust
Personal Protection: Gloves, coveralls, safety goggles or face shield, NIOSH approved respirator for dust or mist
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, soil, or waterways, notify environmental authorities if large spills occur
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up without raising dust, collect in a suitable container for disposal, clean contaminated surfaces with water, ventilate area after clean-up

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle in enclosed systems or with local exhaust ventilation, keep away from incompatible chemicals like strong acids and oxidizers, prohibit eating, drinking, and smoking in work area, avoid generation of dust
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, ventilated, locked area, well away from food, feed, and incompatible materials, keep container tightly sealed, use corrosion-resistant shelving and secondary containment
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, reducing agents, organic solvents, strong oxidizers, can react violently with halogens
Special Precautions: Store away from heat and sources of ignition, practice good housekeeping to prevent contamination

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.05 mg/m³ (as vanadium, respirable fraction); ACGIH TLV: 0.05 mg/m³
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, chemical-resistant exhaust ventilation, process enclosure
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or neoprene chemical-resistant gloves, laboratory coats or coveralls, splash-proof goggles, full face shield if handling powder or solutions
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH approved respirators when occupational exposure levels are exceeded or during emergencies
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands, face, and forearms thoroughly before breaks and after shift, shower after handling high concentrations, keep personal protective equipment clean, separate contaminated work clothes from street clothes

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to yellow crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 180 °C (decomposition)
Solubility: 5.55 g/100 mL in cold water, more soluble in hot water
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperatures
Density: 2.326 g/cm³ (at 20°C)
pH: 7.0–8.5 (10% aqueous solution)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes on heating)
Evaporation Rate: Not relevant for solid material
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Other Data: Decomposes releasing toxic gases under strong acids or high temperatures

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under recommended storage; sensitive to moisture and heat which accelerate decomposition
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts strongly with acids, strong oxidizers, and reducing agents; decomposition produces vanadium pentoxide and ammonia
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, direct sunlight, mechanical shock, wet conditions
Incompatible Materials: Acids, organic materials, chlorates, halogenated compounds, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, vanadium oxides, ammonia, other toxic vapors or gases
Polymerization: No dangerous polymerization expected

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD₅₀ Oral - rat: 39 mg/kg; LD₅₀ Dermal - rabbit: 200 mg/kg; Inhalation LC₅₀ (rat, 4h): 0.52 mg/L
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, dermal absorption, eye contact
Symptoms: Throat and lung irritation, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, blue discoloration (cyanosis), headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, in severe cases liver and kidney damage
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure causes anemia, kidney and nervous system damage, bronchial problems, loss of appetite, skin changes
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: No significant data; caution advised for pregnant workers
Other Toxicity Data: Vanadium compounds are particularly toxic with cumulative health risks over prolonged exposure

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and phytoplankton with LC₅₀ values in the low mg/L range
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, can remain in environment for prolonged periods
Bioaccumulation: Tendency to accumulate in aquatic organisms and sediments, possible transfer up the food chain
Mobility in Soil: Moderate, risk of leaching to groundwater in sandy or permeable soils
Other Adverse Effects: Potential for long-term aquatic toxicity, soil contamination, negative impact on microorganisms and plant growth

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Consider waste hazardous; must align with local, state, and national regulations for toxic and heavy metal waste
Special Considerations: Do not release into drains or the environment
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of as hazardous waste, decontaminate recyclable containers if possible
Recommended Practices: In-house neutralization and immobilization by specialized service providers followed by landfill or high-temperature incineration
Regulatory Code Reference: U.S. EPA hazardous waste number D003/D005 where relevant, consult international regulations when exporting waste

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 2862
Proper Shipping Name: Ammonium metavanadate
Transport Hazard Class: Class 6.1 (Toxic substance)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Labels Required: Toxic, environmentally hazardous substance
Special Transport Notes: Protect from moisture and physical damage, transport under lock with restricted access for authorized personnel only, comply with all applicable local, national, and international transport regulations

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed in U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
OSHA Hazardous Chemical: Regulated, requires reporting and management under Hazard Communication Standard
SARA 313: Subject to reporting requirements (vanadium compounds)
EPCRA: Notifiable for emergency planning in quantities greater than threshold planning quantity
REACH: Registered under European Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, subject to restrictions due to toxicity
WHMIS (Canada): Classified D1A (very toxic material), D2B (toxic material causing other toxic effects)
Other International: Consult local and national authorities for specific restrictions on use, handling, import, and export given toxicity and environmental impact