Material Safety Data Sheet: Bismuth Oxychloride

Identification

Product Name: Bismuth Oxychloride
Chemical Formula: BiOCl
CAS Number: 7787-59-9
Synonyms: Bismuth chloride oxide, Pearl white
Uses: Used in cosmetics, pigments, laboratory reagents, pharmaceuticals
Supplier Information: Manufacturer’s name, address, emergency contact, telephone number, and email supplied by specific company
Recommended Restrictions: Not for food or drug use without proper regulatory clearance

Hazard Identification

Classifications: Not classified as hazardous according to GHS standards
Physical Hazards: May cause dust if handled without proper controls
Health Hazards: Can cause mild skin and eye irritation in sensitive individuals, inhalation of fine particles might irritate respiratory tract
Environmental Hazards: Low potential risk for aquatic life, limited available data
Signal Word: None required under current regulatory classifications
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, avoid eye contact

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Bismuth oxychloride
Chemical Formula: BiOCl
CAS Number: 7787-59-9
EC Number: 232-124-9
Concentration: Over 98% purity typically
Impurities: Trace amounts of chloride or bismuth oxide byproducts might occur from manufacturing
Additives: No stabilizing additives added for standard industrial grades

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air if dust inhaled, seek medical attention if symptoms develop such as coughing, chest discomfort, or difficulty breathing
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin using soap and water, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes immediately with plenty of water, gently holding eyelids open, contact a medical professional if eye irritation remains
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, drink water, do not induce vomiting, seek medical assistance for any discomfort or persistent symptoms
Most Important Symptoms: Respiratory discomfort, minor itching or irritation, mild redness on contact areas

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, foam, or water spray
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jets not recommended for fine powders
Specific Hazards: Non-flammable, product will not burn, may release irritating fumes like hydrogen chloride if involved in fire with strong acids
Personal Protective Equipment: Use approved self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Cool adjacent containers with water spray in a large-scale fire, take standard firefighting precautions
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, bismuth oxides

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust masks or respirators, ensure adequate ventilation, avoid direct contact with eyes, skin, or clothing
Environmental Precautions: Do not flush powder to drains or allow significant particulate matter to reach waterways
Containment Methods: Stop spillage by containing with sand or inert absorbent material, avoid raising dust
Cleanup Methods: Use HEPA-filtered vacuum system for powders, sweep gently into marked containers, wash area with water after main removal
Disposal: Dispose following local hazardous waste protocols

Handling and Storage

Precautions for Safe Handling: Minimize dust generation, avoid inhaling airborne particles, use only in well-ventilated settings, wash thoroughly after handling
Hygiene Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling, wash hands before breaks and after finishing
Safety Equipment: Wear gloves, lab coat, and eye protection
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, labeled containers in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, protect from strong acids and moisture
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong acids, reducing agents, or sources of strong oxidizing materials

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits for bismuth oxychloride, observe general dust limits: ACGIH TLV for particulate matter not otherwise classified: 10 mg/m³ (inhalable), 3 mg/m³ (respirable)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation or containment systems recommended for powder handling
Respiratory Protection: Use approved particulate respirator (N95 or higher) for dusty operations
Eye Protection: Safety glasses or chemical goggles
Hand Protection: Suitable chemical-resistant gloves
Skin Protection: Lab coats or long-sleeved garments

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Fine white to silvery powder, pearlescent sheen
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Decomposes without melting at 771°C
Boiling Point/Range: Not applicable
Density: About 7.7 g/cm³
pH: Stable and insoluble in water, not applicable
Solubility: Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in acids
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Viscosity: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Generally unreactive, not sensitive to light or air
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid contact with strong acids, moisture can cause slow hydrolysis in presence of acid
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Bismuth oxides, hydrogen chloride fumes if in contact with strong acids and heated
Polymerization: Does not occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity by ingestion or inhalation, no significant hazards at levels found in consumer or industrial products
Inhalation: Dust may cause mechanical irritation of respiratory tract
Skin Contact: May occasionally cause mild irritation, rash unlikely
Eye Contact: May cause temporary redness or gritty sensation
Chronic Effects: No data suggesting carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity
Absorption: Very low absorption through skin or ingestion
Other Data: No long-term effects documented for typical workplace exposure

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Does not biodegrade but low mobility and bioaccumulation risk
Aquatic Toxicity: Minimal impact on aquatic organisms, insoluble in water, settles out
Persistence and Degradability: Considered persistent, but not regarded as an environmental hazard
Bioaccumulation: No bioaccumulative tendency due to low solubility
Mobility in Soil: Binds strongly to particles, unlikely to migrate
Other Adverse Effects: Not expected to contribute to ozone depletion, acidification, or eutrophication

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of via licensed waste contractor in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Disposal of Containers: Empty containers may have residual dust, triple-rinse, and puncture before recycling or disposal
Special Handling Instructions: Avoid spreading dust during cleaning or container disposal, do not release to environment
Regulatory Waste Classification: Not classified as hazardous unless contaminated by hazardous substances

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated, non-flammable, not toxic
Packing Group: Not applicable
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Precautions: Use secure packaging to prevent dusting or breakage, follow standard shipping practices for chemicals

Regulatory Information

EU Classification: Not regulated as dangerous under EU GHS regulations
US TSCA: Listed
Canada DSL/NDSL: Listed
OSHA Hazards: Not considered hazardous
SARA 313: Not listed
California Proposition 65: Not listed as carcinogenic
WHMIS Classification: Not controlled
Labeling Requirements: Use appropriate hazard pictograms and risk phrases if handling large volumes, standard dust safety warnings