Material Safety Data Sheet - Ferrovanadium Dust
Identification
Product Name: Ferrovanadium Dust
Other Names: FeV, Ferrovanadium powder
Recommended Use: Steel additive, alloying agent
Manufacturer: Major ferroalloy producers globally
Emergency Telephone: Provided by supplier
Chemical Formula: FeV
CAS Number: 12604-58-9
UN Number: 3285
Relevant Identified Uses: Industrial metal processing, foundry operations
Supplier Contact Email/Address: Refer to product label
Date of Issue: See product shipping documents
Hazard Identification
Classification: Classified as hazardous according to contemporary GHS standards: Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure (Category 2), Acute Toxicity – Inhalation (Category 4), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Skin Irritant (Category 2)
Hazard Statements: Dust inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, possible metal fume fever, difficulty in breathing; may irritate skin and eyes
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Health Hazard
Signal Word: Warning
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash exposed skin, wear eye/face protection, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, seek medical advice if unwell
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Health Effects: Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, eye discomfort, skin rashes; long-term exposure may cause lung or kidney problems
Environmental Risk: May pose risk to aquatic life in large quantities
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Identity: Ferrovanadium
Constituent Percentage: Vanadium (30–80%), Iron (balance), Trace impurities (aluminum, silicon, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur)
Impurities: Silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, carbonaceous material – impurities may contribute to hazardous properties
Physical Form: Fine, metallic dust or powder
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: Varies depending on precise vanadium/iron ratio
Relevant Exposure Limits: Vanadium (OSHA TWA 0.05 mg/m3), Iron oxide dust (OSHA TWA 10 mg/m3)
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek immediate medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical help if irritation continues
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give water to drink only if conscious, do not induce vomiting, seek medical assistance
Most Immediate Signs: Coughing, sore throat, eye redness, skin irritation
Advice for Physicians: Treat symptomatically, monitor for delayed lung or kidney effects
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry sand, dry powder suitable for metal fires, Class D fire extinguisher
Unsuitable Media: Do not use water, foam, or carbon dioxide on burning dust; risk of explosion or toxic gas generation
Explosion Hazards: Fine dust dispersed in air can ignite or explode when exposed to an ignition source
Special Protective Equipment: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Cool exposed containers with dry powder from a safe distance, contain run-off to prevent environmental contamination
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, avoid generating dust clouds, ventilate affected space, wear respiratory protection, gloves, and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent dispersion to soil, drains, or watercourses
Spill Cleanup Methods: Vacuum using HEPA-filtered device or sweep up without raising dust; collect in sealed, labeled containers for disposal
Emergency Procedures: Report large spills to authorities, isolate hazard area
Disposal of Contaminated Materials: Treat clean-up equipment and waste as hazardous material; avoid washing into sewer
Handling and Storage
Safe Handling: Minimize dust, handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not eat/drink/smoke while handling
Storage Conditions: Keep containers tightly closed, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated places, away from acids and oxidizing agents
Segregation: Separate from incompatible substances such as halogens, mineral acids, strong oxidizers
Hygiene Considerations: Wash hands before eating and after handling
Handling Equipment: Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilation/lighting equipment
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation to keep exposure below occupational exposure limits; use closed systems if possible
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved particulate respirators when dust generation is likely
Hand Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves made of nitrile, neoprene, or PVC
Eye Protection: Use safety goggles or face shield
Skin and Body Protection: Wear long-sleeved protective clothing, coveralls
Exposure Limits: Vanadium (0.05 mg/m3 TWA), Iron dust (10 mg/m3 TWA)
Environmental Protection: Avoid release into environment, install filters/traps on process vents
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Gray metallic powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH (Water Suspension): Not determined
Melting Point: 1670–1800°C (component dependent)
Boiling Point: No data (Decomposes)
Flash Point: Not flammable in solid form, combustible as fine dust
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Explosive Properties: May form explosive mixtures with air
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Density: 6.0–7.2 g/cm3
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes on strong heating
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids, oxidizers, and halogens, forming toxic gases (hydrogen, vanadium oxides)
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high temperatures, incompatible chemicals, ignition sources
Incompatibility: Acids, oxidizing agents, halogenated compounds
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Vanadium pentoxide, iron oxides, fumes of vanadium and iron
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Toxicological Information
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin/eye contact
Acute Health Effects: Inhalation may cause coughing, wheezing, flu-like symptoms (‘metal fume fever’); skin and eye irritation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged inhalation may damage lungs, kidneys, or cause nervous system issues
Symptoms of Exposure: Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, respiratory discomfort
Carcinogenic Status: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA for component elements
LD50/Limiting Data: Vanadium dust: Oral LD50 (rat) ~10 mg/kg
Target Organs: Lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Asthma, chronic lung diseases
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Vanadium compounds present acute risks to aquatic life; iron dust less hazardous but persistence in sediment recognized
Mobility: Finer dust can travel from spill site via wind or water, increasing exposure to humans/wildlife
Persistence and Degradability: Low natural degradation; vanadium persists in soils and sediments
Bioaccumulation Potential: Bioaccumulation noted in aquatic plants/animals at high concentrations
Aquatic Toxicity: Fish and aquatic invertebrates show adverse effects at moderate vanadium levels
Soil Impact: Large-scale releases may disrupt soil microflora, impacting local plant life
Disposal Considerations: Avoid uncontrolled discharge to nearby environments
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste; use licensed hazardous disposal contractor
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of in accordance with local/national regulations, containers must be empty and triple rinsed or managed as hazardous waste
Do Not: Discharge to drains, watercourses, or environment
Recommended Practices: Label clearly, store in secure area prior to collection, document waste movement
Regulatory Compliance: Follow local environmental protection guidelines for hazardous metals
Transport Information
UN Number: 3285
UN Proper Shipping Name: Metal powder, flammable, n.o.s. (Ferrovanadium Dust)
Transport Hazard Class: 4.1 (Flammable solid)
Packing Group: II
Maritime Transport: IMDG code compliance required
Air Transport: IATA regulations apply
Special Transport Precautions: Use sealed, robust containers; ensure dust does not leak; keep separate from incompatible goods
Emergency Response Guide: Refer to transport documentation and local authority instructions
Regulatory Information
TSCA Status: Components listed on the US TSCA inventory
OSHA Regulations: Covered by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard; Safety training required for handlers
Other Regulatory Notes: Subject to SARA Title III reporting requirements for vanadium content
EINECS/ELINCS EC Number: 235-727-4
Hazard Symbols: Complies with GHS labeling; exclamation mark and health hazard
RCRA Status: Vanadium-containing waste may be classified as hazardous under RCRA
Canadian WHMIS Classification: Class D2A (Toxic), D2B (Irritant)
REACH Registration: Registration required for European manufacturers/importers
Worker Protection: Enforcement of PPE, medical surveillance, hazard communication mandatory under most national systems
