Material Safety Data Sheet: Bismuth Hydroxide

Identification

Product Name: Bismuth Hydroxide
Chemical Formula: Bi(OH)₃
CAS Number: 1304-97-8
Synonyms: Bismuth(III) hydroxide, Tris(hydroxido)bismuth
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, research chemical, industrial additive
Manufacturer Contact: Supplier’s contact details including emergency phone number, office address, and email for rapid communication

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS criteria
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild respiratory tract and skin irritation
Pictograms: No pictograms assigned
Potential Health Effects: Skin and eye irritation from direct contact, dust may aggravate respiratory system
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, avoid skin and eye contact, wash thoroughly after handling, use in areas with adequate ventilation

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Bismuth Hydroxide
CAS Number: 1304-97-8
Concentration: Pure substance, 99% or higher
Impurities: Trace elements of bismuth subcarbonate or bismuth oxide (usually less than 1%)

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, seek medical attention for persistent symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical advice if irritation or rash appears
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with clean water for several minutes, lift eyelids, seek prompt medical help if pain, redness, or vision changes occur
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give water to drink, do not induce vomiting, consult physician or poison control center if symptoms develop
Important Symptoms: Eye and skin irritation, possible coughing or throat discomfort from inhaling powder

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Not flammable; does not support combustion
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray for surrounding fire
Special Hazards: Decomposition may release irritating metal oxides and bismuth fumes at high temperatures
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear to prevent exposure to fumes or powders
Firefighting Instructions: Control runoff, avoid breathing dust or vapors, keep containers cool with water spray if safe to do so

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to soil, water, and drains
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or scoop up material, avoid raising dust, collect in labeled, sealed containers for disposal
Decontamination: Wash spill area thoroughly with water after cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling Procedures: Work with gloves and safety goggles, use dust mask or respirator if dust is generated, wash hands after use
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed container in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place, keep away from acids and ammonium salts, store away from food and drink
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong acids, strong oxidizers

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust and general room ventilation to minimize airborne dust
Personal Protective Equipment: Protective safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or latex), lab coat; use NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator for prolonged exposure to powder
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and exposed skin after handling, avoid eating and drinking in areas where powder is present, remove contaminated clothing before leaving work area
Occupational Exposure Limit: No established OSHA or ACGIH limits for bismuth compounds; keep airborne dust as low as practical

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White or pale yellow powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH (suspension): Slightly basic
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Decomposes before melting
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not combustible
Vapor Pressure: Not available
Vapor Density: Not available
Solubility: Insoluble in cold water, decomposes in acids
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Starts releasing water and decomposes above 150°C
Molecular Weight: 260.98 g/mol

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, will decompose at elevated temperatures
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts slowly with acids to form bismuth salts and water
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers, ammonium salts
Decomposition Products: Bismuth oxide, water vapor
Polymerization: Does not occur

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Low acute toxicity, mild irritation to skin and respiratory tract possible; significant effects rare
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure seldom documented, but prolonged inhalation of dust may cause mild lung or kidney effects
Symptoms: Eye inflammation, skin redness, cough, gastrointestinal upset from ingestion
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Data not available
Additional Information: People with pre-existing respiratory conditions may be at increased risk from inhaling powder

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Not considered acutely toxic to aquatic life; limited data shows low bioaccumulation
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic substance, not biodegradable
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, tends to bind with soil minerals
Environmental Precautions: Prevent unintentional release to waterways or sewers to minimize environmental contamination

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Collect into sealed, labeled containers; send to licensed hazardous waste facility
Contaminated Packaging: Clean containers before re-use or recycle according to local regulations
Regulatory Disposal Requirements: Follow federal, state, and local environmental control regulations for heavy metals and laboratory chemicals

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Bismuth Hydroxide
Transport Hazard Class: Non-hazardous
Packing Group: None
Special Precautions: Avoid significant dust release during transport, secure packaging to prevent breakage or spillage during transit

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) inventory
REACH Status: Exempt as an inorganic compound, registration not required for laboratory quantities
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Sections 302, 304, 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed
State Right-to-Know Laws: Not specifically listed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts inventories
Other Regulations: Users should comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations for storage, use, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and heavy metals