Bismuth Carbonate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Bismuth Carbonate
Chemical Formula: Bi2(CO3)3
Synonyms: Bismuth(III) carbonate, Bismuth tricarbonate
CAS Number: 5892-10-4
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, pigment, cosmetics, ceramics
Manufacturer: Contact details for responsible party available on request
Emergency Contact: Local regulatory authorities or poison centers hold emergency numbers

Hazard Identification

Physical State: Solid, powder or crystalline
Color: White to off-white
Major Health Hazards: May cause irritation to respiratory tract, skin and eyes; inhalation of dust could aggravate lung issues
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS guidelines, but exposure could irritate
Signal Word: None
Pictogram: None required according to current global standards, though prudent handling remains important
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhaling dust, prevent contact with skin and eyes, wash hands thoroughly after handling, keep away from food and drinks

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Bismuth(III) Carbonate: 99% or greater by weight
Impurities: Lead, silver, and other heavy metals may occur as trace impurities
Stabilizers: Not typically present
Additives: No stabilizing or modifying additives disclosed
Molecular Weight: 509.97 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; monitor for breathing difficulties, provide oxygen if needed, seek medical attention for symptoms
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water, pay extra attention to cuts or irritated areas
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with gentle stream of water for 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, remove contact lenses safely, consult an eye care specialist if irritation lingers
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink water if person is fully conscious, consult medical professional promptly

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
Hazards from Combustion: Decomposes to release bismuth oxide and carbon dioxide; no highly toxic vapors expected, standard precautions apply
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing equipment and protective clothing
Special Procedures: Try to contain contaminated run-off to prevent spread into drains or natural waterways

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, gloves, and goggles, avoid breathing dust, evacuate unprotected personnel
Spill Cleanup: Scoop up with non-sparking tools, sweep and shovel carefully, avoid raising dust, place debris in well-marked waste containers
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from contacting soil, streams, and drains, store recovered waste according to local guidelines
Decontamination: Clean spill site with plenty of water after removal, ventilate area thoroughly

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas, handle with proper equipment to minimize dust generation, keep containers sealed outside of use
Technical Measures: Employ local exhaust to control dust at source, use only tools that prevent sparking or static discharge
Storage: Store in dry, cool, well-ventilated place away from acids and moisture, keep container tightly closed and clearly labeled, segregate from incompatible items
Incompatibility: Acids, moisture, oxidizing agents may react with or degrade the product

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for Bismuth Carbonate; adhere to general dust exposure standards (e.g., OSHA PEL for particulates, 15 mg/m³ total dust)
Engineering Controls: Good local exhaust ventilation, closed processes, dust collection systems advised
Eye/Face Protection: Tightly fitting goggles recommended
Skin Protection: Chemically resistant gloves, laboratory coat, long sleeves
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved dust masks or respirators if dust cannot be contained with engineering controls
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after working, avoid eating or drinking in work area, remove contaminated clothing before leaving work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White or yellowish-white powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Neutral when suspended in water
Melting Point: Decomposes, does not exhibit clear melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not relevant for inorganic solid
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more soluble in acids
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: ~6.86 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Releases carbon dioxide and bismuth oxide above 300°C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal ambient and anticipated storage conditions
Reactivity: May react with acids to release carbon dioxide and soluble bismuth salts
Incompatible Materials: Moist air, strong acids, strong oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Bismuth oxide, carbon dioxide
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: None under recommended storage and handling
Polymerization: Does not occur

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Skin and eye contact, inhalation of dust, accidental ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity expected with oral, dermal or inhalation exposures at normal concentrations
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild irritation on prolonged exposure
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: May cause discomfort, redness, or watering
Respiratory Symptoms: Dust could bother those with pre-existing lung conditions
Chronic Effects: No evidence of long-term systemic toxicity in humans; chronic exposure to bismuth compounds rarely linked to kidney effects after heavy, prolonged intake
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, ACGIH, NTP or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Not reported to induce genetic mutations in animal studies
Reproductive Toxicity: Data inadequate to assess risk, handle with care
Additional Data: Medical attention advised if persistent symptoms follow exposure

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicological Effects: Low acute toxicity to aquatic life, bismuth salts may be more toxic to certain aquatic organisms at high concentrations
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, binds to soil particles, may persist
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound not expected to degrade by biological processes
Bioaccumulation: No evidence of biomagnification in aquatic food chains, low potential for accumulation
Other Adverse Effects: Releases of large amounts into natural waterways or soil can result in heavy metal accumulation and long-term contamination

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Method: Place waste material and contaminated packaging in tightly closed containers, dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor
Precautions: Do not discharge into drains, soil or water bodies
Regulations: Observe all federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations on waste disposal
Contaminated Packaging: Separate as hazardous waste, rinse and manage as per local requirements for laboratory chemical containers

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
UN Proper Shipping Name: Bismuth Carbonate
Transport Hazard Class: Non-regulated
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Secure packaging to prevent dust leaks and spills during transit, keep dry and segregate from acids
Transport Labels: Not required under current regulations

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not classified as hazardous, but general dust exposure guidelines apply
SARA Title III Status: Not subject to specific reporting thresholds under Sections 302, 304, or 313
TSCA Status: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH Status: Registered for manufacturing and supply in the EU, additional information available from supplier
WHMIS Classification: Not controlled under current WHMIS criteria
International Inventories: Confirmed on Australian, Canadian, European and Japanese chemical inventories
Labeling Requirements: No mandatory hazard pictograms or signal words, though best practice includes clear chemical labeling and access to current MSDS for all handlers