Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of Ammonium Tetrathiotungstate

Identification

Product Name: Ammonium Tetrathiotungstate
Synonyms: Ammonium Tungsten Sulfide, Ammonium Tetrathiooxotungstate
Chemical Formula: (NH4)2WS4
CAS Number: 13862-11-4
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, precursor in tungsten compounds production
Supplier Information: Check container or purchase documents for manufacturer details
Emergency Phone Number: Refer to local, national, or manufacturer’s emergency contacts

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Oral - Category 4), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Acute aquatic toxicity (Category 3)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, Causes skin irritation, Causes serious eye irritation, Harmful to aquatic life
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Environmental hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, Wash skin thoroughly, Wear protective gloves and eye protection, Avoid release to the environment
Potential Health Effects: Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort; skin contact may lead to irritation or rash; inhalation of dust may irritate respiratory system; eye exposure produces pain and redness

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Ammonium Tetrathiotungstate
CAS Number: 13862-11-4
Proportion: 100%
Impurities: Minimal or no known significant impurities relevant to classification

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, supply oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention for persistent symptoms
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with water for several minutes, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lift upper and lower eyelids occasionally, obtain medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water, do not induce vomiting without medical advice, provide water to drink if conscious, consult medical attention immediately
Most Important Symptoms / Effects: Nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, redness, prolonged irritation

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or appropriate foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid direct water jets on spills
Hazardous Combustion Products: Ammonia, sulfur oxides, tungsten oxides may form under fire conditions
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition releases toxic and corrosive gases, dust may become airborne and hazardous when heated
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing, avoid inhaling fumes or smoke
Special Firefighting Instructions: Move containers from fire area if safe, prevent runoff from entering drains or water sources

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear suitable protective clothing, avoid contact with skin and eyes, prevent dust formation and inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage, avoid discharge into surface or ground water, notify authorities of significant spills
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up spilled product with minimal dust formation, collect in labeled containers for disposal, ventilate spill area, decontaminate with water
Prevention of Secondary Hazards: Wash spill site after material has been removed, control sources of ignition in the area

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eye, and clothing; use in a well-ventilated area; prevent dust accumulation; avoid inhaling dust or fumes; wear appropriate PPE
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated location, separate from incompatible materials such as strong acids and oxidizers; store away from sources of moisture; secure containers to prevent leaks or spills; label and date all containers accurately
Special Requirements: Protect containers from physical damage, maintain storage area free from ignition sources, routine monitoring for leaks or deterioration of packaging

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No regulatory exposure limits established specifically for this compound; general dust limits apply (e.g., OSHA PEL for particulates not otherwise regulated: 15 mg/m³ (total dust), 5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction))
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust or general ventilation; process enclosure recommended if dust generation is significant
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves (nitrile or neoprene), laboratory coat, safety goggles or face shield, dust mask (N95 or higher) for airborne particles
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas; keep work clothing separate from other clothing

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Yellow to orange crystalline powder
Odor: Faint ammonia-like smell
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Slightly alkaline in aqueous solution
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Decomposes before melting
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Flash Point: Not applicable
Flammability: Not considered flammable under normal conditions
Vapor Pressure: Not determined
Vapor Density: Not determined
Solubility: Soluble in water
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Above 100°C (liberates toxic gases)
Viscosity: Not applicable
Density: Approximately 2.7 g/cm³

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard temperature and pressure in closed containers
Reactivity: Reacts with acids, releasing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gases
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, oxidizing agents, moisture; contact with acids generates toxic fumes, oxidizers may cause vigorous reactions
Conditions to Avoid: Extreme heat, humidity, strong acids or oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, tungsten oxides, sulfur oxides
Polymerization: Will not occur under recommended conditions

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Harmful by ingestion (LD50 estimates in rodents between 300-2000 mg/kg oral)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes irritation with possible redness and rash
Eye Damage/Irritation: Risk of serious eye irritation with redness, watering, pain
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: No data available; treat as potential irritant
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure to tungsten compounds may affect liver or kidney function based on animal studies
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Toxicity: Insufficient data for this compound; chronic exposure to ammonium or sulfur compounds associated with mild reproductive impacts in animals
Other Health Effects: May aggravate pre-existing respiratory or skin conditions

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms based on acute aquatic toxicity studies; LC50 values for aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates in low mg/L range
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound; not biodegradable; persists in soil and water
Bioaccumulative Potential: No significant bioaccumulation expected based on chemical structure
Mobility in Soil: Soluble in water, can move through soil and reach groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Toxicity to algae and aquatic plants has been observed; release to the environment should be minimized

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor
Product Disposal: Do not dispose in domestic waste streams, do not release to water bodies; follow governmental waste disposal regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose as hazardous waste, decontaminate containers where possible, separate from non-hazardous waste streams
Precautions: Label all disposal containers clearly; prevent accidental releases during transport or storage of waste

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned a specific UN number for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Chemical substance, not otherwise specified
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated as dangerous goods under international transport guidelines (ADR, RID, IMDG, IATA)
Packing Group: Not classified under current regulations
Environmental Hazard: Avoid transport with food and animal feed; prevent leakage during transit
Special Precautions: Secure containers, protect from moisture and rough handling, maintain transport records

Regulatory Information

Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations: Not listed as a hazardous chemical under TSCA inventory in the US; check local and national regulations for workplace exposure and environmental release
Risk Phrases: Harmful if swallowed; irritant to eyes and skin; aquatic hazard
SARA Title III (USA): Not classified as extremely hazardous; no threshold planning quantity established
California Proposition 65: Not listed
REACH (EU): Not a registered substance, always comply with current registration requirements if manufacturing or importing within the EU
Other Regulations: Observe environmental permits and waste management legislation relevant to user location