Material Safety Data Sheet: Bismuth (III) Bromide

Identification

Chemical Name: Bismuth (III) Bromide
Synonyms: Bismuth tribromide, Tribromobismuth
Chemical Formula: BiBr3
CAS Number: 7787-58-8
Recommended Use: Research, chemical synthesis, industrial purposes
Manufacturer Information: Supplier address, phone number, and emergency contact details are found on the shipping label or relevant documentation associated with the product lot.

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Eye Irritation (Category 2), Skin Irritation (Category 2), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 4)
Label Elements: Exclamation mark pictogram, hazard warning statements, precautionary statements
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash thoroughly after use, wear protective equipment (gloves, goggles, dust mask), do not eat or drink while handling, avoid environmental release

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Bismuth (III) Bromide
Concentration: 99-100%
Component: BiBr3
Impurities: Trace amounts of other bismuth or bromide species possible, below threshold for additional hazard classification

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, provide warm and calm environment, seek medical attention for breathing difficulties or irritation
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, thoroughly wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical guidance for signs of persistent irritation or redness
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, prompt consultation with physician in severe cases
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give water if person is conscious, never induce vomiting, immediate medical evaluation recommended, bring this sheet with patient to physician
Advice for Medical Professionals: Symptomatic treatment, monitor for possible respiratory tract irritation, in case of eye contact evaluate for potential corneal damage

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Hydro-bromic acid fumes and bismuth oxides may form during combustion
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical protective clothing
Special Procedures: Confine fire to prevent contamination runoff, avoid inhalation of combustion by-products, approach fire from upwind side

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Choose chemical resistant gloves and safety goggles, avoid formation of dust, ensure proper ventilation in spill area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spread to soil, drains, or watercourses, alert authorities in case of significant spill or uncontained waste
Methods for Clean-Up: Sweep up without generating dust, place in suitable closed container for disposal, decontaminate environment with water wash, ventilate site after cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Prevent dust formation, wear approved PPE (gloves, goggles, lab coat), use fume hood or adequate ventilation, practice good hygiene after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed original container, cool dry area, away from moisture, strong acids, or incompatible chemicals – label area for hazardous materials, limit opportunity for unauthorized access, monitor for leaks or container damage

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, lab fume hood, or similar enclosure
Personal Protection: Chemical safety goggles, gloves resistant to corrosive agents, laboratory coat, dust mask if airborne concentration increases
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling, wash hands and face after use, launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Occupational Exposure Limits: No ACGIH or OSHA limits set for Bismuth (III) Bromide, but minimize exposure to dust and bromine compounds

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Crystalline solid, color ranging pale yellow to white
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 448.69 g/mol
pH Value: Not applicable in solid state, forms acidic solution in water due to hydrolysis
Melting Point: 219°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes above melting, does not boil
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, forms bismuth oxybromide with moisture, soluble in acidic solutions
Vapor Pressure: Not measurable at ambient temperature
Density: Around 5.75 g/cm³
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, decomposes in presence of moisture releasing acidic bromide

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, controlled environment, sensitive to moisture
Reactivity: Reacts with water, acids, oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Bismuth oxide, hydrobromic acid fumes, bismuth oxybromide
Conditions to Avoid: Humidity, temperature extremes, contact with incompatible reactive substances (strong acids, bases, oxidizers)
Incompatibility: Strong oxidizers (may increase risk of ignition or violent reaction), alkalis, acids

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed (may disrupt gastrointestinal tract), dust inhalation may irritate respiratory tract and mucous membranes
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged exposure to bismuth compounds linked to kidney or liver injury in rare cases, skin irritation possible
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin and eye contact
Signs and Symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, burning sensation in throat or eyes, gastrointestinal upset
Carcinogenicity: No data indicating cancer risk from this compound; not classified by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Data: Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or gastrointestinal disorders may have increased sensitivity

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Insoluble in water, separates as precipitates, limited mobility in soil
Ecotoxicity: Little evidence of acute toxicity to aquatic life at low levels, higher concentrations of bromide or bismuth ions can disrupt aquatic ecosystems
Persistence and Degradability: Persistence expected due to low solubility, does not readily degrade in environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not known to bioaccumulate significantly in aquatic or terrestrial organisms
Other Hazards: Advisory against releasing to local water supplies, accidental contamination may require environmental remediation

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Collect contaminated materials and residues in appropriate chemical waste containers, follow local and national hazardous waste regulations, do not discharge to surface water
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse containers before disposal, treat as hazardous waste
Special Precautions: Contract licensed disposal companies equipped for inorganic laboratory chemicals, keep disposal records for regulatory compliance

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned
Shipping Name: Chemical, not otherwise specified (Bismuth (III) Bromide)
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transportation under UN, IMDG, IATA, DOT guidelines
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Not regulated as marine pollutant, avoid bulk shipments to minimize risk of accidental release
Special Transport Precautions: Store in original container, cushion to prevent breakage during transit, include safety documentation with shipment

Regulatory Information

Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations: Not listed under SARA Title III Section 313, not regulated as hazardous under the Clean Air Act, not subject to California Proposition 65
Labeling Requirements: GHS labeling, hazard statement, and PPE pictograms expected in workplace use, OSHA-compliant labeling required for commercial supply
Other Regulations: Not classified under TLV or PEL guidelines, recommended good laboratory practice and storage management at all scales of use