Material Safety Data Sheet: Bismuth (III) Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Bismuth (III) Chloride
Synonyms: Bismuth Trichloride, Bismuth Chloride
Chemical Formula: BiCl₃
CAS Number: 7787-60-2
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical synthesis, manufacturing
Manufacturer/Supplier: Contact chemical supplier or distributor for specific details
Emergency Contact: Refer to supplier information for 24-hour emergency number

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral) – Category 4; Skin irritation – Category 2; Eye irritation – Category 2A
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; Causes skin irritation; Causes serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust; Wash thoroughly after handling; Wear protective gloves, eye and face protection; Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product
Other Hazards: May react with water to release hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas; Corrosive to metals; Not combustible but releases toxic fumes if heated or involved in a fire

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Bismuth (III) Chloride
Concentration: 100%
Molecular Weight: 315.34 g/mol
Impurities/Additives: No significant impurities affecting classification
EC Number: 232-123-3

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Immediately rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek medical attention promptly
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with plenty of soap and water; seek medical attention if irritation persists
Inhalation: Move exposed individual to fresh air; keep warm and at rest; seek medical advice if symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath develop
Ingestion: If swallowed, rinse mouth thoroughly with water; do not induce vomiting; give water to drink if the person is conscious; seek medical attention without delay
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation or burns of skin, eyes, mucous membranes; headache, nausea, vomiting if ingested; respiratory irritation if inhaled

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO₂, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray in large volumes
Unsuitable Media: Do not use water jet directly because Bismuth (III) Chloride reacts with water
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases hydrogen chloride and bismuth oxides under fire conditions
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require full protective clothing, including self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire & Explosion Hazards: Non-combustible; reacts with water or moist conditions to form corrosive vapor, hydrogen chloride gas

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and chemical-resistant clothing to prevent exposure to dust and vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, surface water and soil; alert local authorities if large amounts escape
Methods for Containment: Contain spill with inert absorbent material such as sand or earth; avoid raising dust; collect residues in marked, sealed containers for disposal
Cleaning Procedures: Carefully scoop up and remove material, ventilate area, wash any residues with plenty of water, decontaminate area with dilute alkali to neutralize

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing; handle in a chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area; use dust extraction where available; avoid inhalation and wear suitable PPE
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from moisture, acids, and incompatible substances like active metals and strong bases
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture and water; high temperatures or open flames; accidental mixing with incompatible materials
Packing Materials: Store in materials resistant to acids and moisture; avoid storing in glass if there is any risk of contact with strong bases

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits for Bismuth (III) Chloride; follow general dust exposure guidelines and minimize exposure
Engineering Controls: General room ventilation; local exhaust ventilation recommended in processing or weighing areas; eye washes and safety showers accessible
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or chemical-resistant clothing, and approved respirators if dust formation is likely
Hygiene Measures: Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in work area; wash hands and face thoroughly before breaks and at end of work

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Slightly pungent, irritating odor (hydrogen chloride)
pH: Acidic in solution
Melting Point: 227°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes at 447°C
Solubility: Soluble in water with hydrolysis; also soluble in hydrochloric acid, ether, acetone
Density: 4.75 g/cm³ at 25°C
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable at ambient temperatures
Other Properties: Reacts with moisture, forming acidic solutions; corrosive action on metals

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; decomposes on contact with water and moist air
Reactivity: Reacts strongly with moisture, alkalis, and bases; incompatible with active metals, strong oxidizers, and strong acids
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride gas, bismuth oxide under heating or combustion
Hazardous Polymerization: Not known to occur

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Acute Effects: Harmful if ingested; can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea; irritation to respiratory tract if inhaled; severe irritation, redness and pain with eye or skin contact
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can result in skin irritation, damage to mucous membranes; data on bismuth compounds suggest potential impacts on kidney and liver with significant exposure
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA; insufficient data for mutagenic effects
Sensitization: Rare reports of allergic response
Toxicity Data: Oral rat LD₅₀ ~1500 mg/kg for bismuth trichloride; inhalation and dermal LD₅₀ not established

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Data on aquatic toxicity limited, but soluble bismuth compounds may be toxic to aquatic organisms at certain concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic salt, not expected to biodegrade; persists in natural water bodies as bismuth ions, which may react with other substances
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to bioaccumulate significantly; limited data on long-term environmental fate
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in moist environment; forms insoluble basic salts which may accumulate in soil over time
Other Harmful Effects: Spilled materials can lower pH of water bodies, potentially harming aquatic life at high concentrations or accidental releases

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous chemicals
Disposal of Product: Treat as hazardous laboratory waste; suitable for chemical or physical treatment prior to landfill or incineration by a licensed waste contractor
Disposal of Containers: Rinse containers with copious water and neutralize, then submit to approved waste handler
Do Not Release: Prevent release to the environment or municipal sewers
Special Precautions: Consider potential for acidic waste streams; treat with care to prevent accidental reactions with incompatible materials

Transport Information

UN Number: 3260
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive solid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s. (Bismuth (III) Chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant
Special Precautions for User: Avoid generating dust, protect packages from water; make sure all labels are intact and legible during transport; keep dry and separated from foodstuffs

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed in the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH Status: Registered in the European Union substances database
OSHA/WHMIS Classification: Corrosive, hazardous material
SARA Title III: Not subject to specific reporting requirements under Section 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed as a chemical known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity
Other Regulations: Follow local chemical safety, transport, and occupational health guidelines; ensure compliance with chemical storage and environmental protection legislation applicable to the region of use