Material Safety Data Sheet: Tin Selenide

Identification

Product Name: Tin Selenide
Chemical Formula: SnSe
CAS Number: 1315-06-6
Recommended Use: Laboratories, manufacturing of thermoelectric devices, research applications
Manufacturer: [Specify actual manufacturer information]
Emergency Contact Number: [Specify company emergency number]

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity, Category 3 (oral/dermal); Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure), Category 3
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed or if it comes in contact with skin. May cause irritation to respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Prolonged or repeated exposure can affect nervous system and liver.
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid handling without proper protection. Avoid breathing dust. Wash thoroughly after handling. Keep away from food and drink sources. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tin Selenide
SYNONYMS: Selenide, tin(II)
CAS Number: 1315-06-6
Purity: Typically >98%
Impurities: Trace amounts of elemental tin, selenium oxides possible depending on synthesis route
Molecular Weight: 197.68 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air immediately. If symptoms such as cough, dizziness, or difficulty breathing appear, seek medical attention quickly. Avoid breathing dust during rescue.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin thoroughly with soap and plenty of water. See a doctor if irritation or symptoms appear.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes carefully with lukewarm water for several minutes, making sure to remove contact lenses. Get medical help if redness or pain persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth gently, do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice or contact poison control.
Note to Physician: Symptomatic treatment and monitoring suggested as selenides can cause toxic effects similar to other selenium compounds; check hepatic and neurological function if exposure significant.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide extinguishers. Water spray may not be effective on chemical fires.
Unsuitable Media: Avoid using water jets; can spread powders.
Hazards from Combustion: May release toxic fumes including selenium oxides, tin oxides.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear.
Fire/Explosion Hazards: Fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air. Evacuate area and remain upwind if possible during fire-fighting.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, respirator with P100 filter if available. Avoid dust formation. Restrict access to spill area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering drains, sewers, surface and ground waters. Tin and selenium compounds persist in the environment and can be toxic to aquatic life.
Clean-up Methods: Use damp disposable cloths or HEPA-filtered vacuum to collect spilled powder. Place material in a properly labeled, sealed container for disposal. Clean contaminated surfaces with wet methods, avoid dry sweeping.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Keep tightly sealed in a designated chemical storage area. Handle only in areas with local exhaust ventilation and appropriate air filtration. Avoid contact with skin and eyes, minimize dust generation.
Storage Conditions: Store in original container, in cool, dry, and well-ventilated location, away from incompatible materials such as strong acids or oxidizers. Keep away from heat and direct sunlight.
General Hygiene: No eating, drinking, or smoking in workplace. Wash hands before breaks and after handling. Use dedicated tools and containers.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV (Selenium compounds, as Se): 0.2 mg/m³ TWA; Tin (as Sn): 2 mg/m³ TWA
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, containment methods, or gloveboxes for weighing or transferring powder.
Personal Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirators with P100 filters or better for contaminated atmospheres or dust.
Hand Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, nitrile or neoprene recommended.
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical splash goggles required; face shield for large-scale handling.
Skin/Body Protection: Lab coats or protective coveralls, closed-toe shoes.
Other Protective Equipment: Emergency eyewash fountains and safety showers nearby.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Grey to black crystalline powder or chunks
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: About 861°C
Boiling Point: 1230°C (decomposes)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Density: 6.18 g/cm³
Flash Point: Not applicable
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Explosive Properties: Dust can form explosive mixture under certain conditions
Reactivity with Water: Not reactive
Particle Size: Varies by application, generally 1–100 microns for powder

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Hazardous Reactions: Can react with strong acids to release toxic hydrogen selenide gas.
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, ignition sources, moisture, acid contact.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, halogens.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Fumes of selenium oxides, tin oxides, and potentially hydrogen selenide if heated with acids.

Toxicological Information

Potential Health Effects: Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin. Causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Chronic exposure to selenium compounds linked to selenosis (hair loss, gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, nerve damage, garlic breath odor). Tin selenide less readily absorbed than some selenium compounds but still requires care. NIOSH recognizes selenium and compounds as potential occupational hazards.
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): approx. 30–50 mg/kg (for selenium compounds)
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA.
Mutagenicity: No data available for the compound.
Reproductive Effects: Evidence from selenium compounds suggests potential fetal toxicity at high doses.
Symptoms of Exposure: Metallic taste, nausea, dizziness, garlic breath, jaundice, nerve pain.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life. Selenium salts accumulated in food chain, causing long-term environmental harm.
Persistence and Degradability: Low degradation in environment; persists as a solid.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Both tin and selenium bioaccumulate, with selenium posing risk to aquatic organisms and waterfowl.
Mobility in Soil: Very low solubility reduces migration potential, but finely divided material can disperse.
Other Adverse Effects: Spills near waterways pose significant threat to local ecosystems.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Method: Collect as hazardous waste; do not dump to drain, landfill, or environment. Dispose of material via licensed chemical waste disposal contractor.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse and puncture, then send to appropriate hazardous material processor.
Regulatory Waste Numbers: US EPA RCRA Hazardous Waste No. D010 (selenium)
Precautions: Wear full protection when handling waste. Label all waste containers with contents and hazards. Follow local, state, and federal regulations.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN3283
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substances)
Packing Group: III
Proper Shipping Name: Selenium compound, n.o.s. (Tin Selenide)
Environmental Hazards: Classified as environmentally hazardous substance if shipped over 100 kg.
Transport Precautions: Ensure containers sealed, labeled with hazard class. Carry emergency contact information and spill response kit on vehicle.
Special Precautions: Avoid shipment with incompatible hazardous materials such as strong oxidizers or acids.

Regulatory Information

US Regulations: TSCA listed. SARA 313: Selenium compounds reportable. OSHA: Hazardous chemical.
EU Regulations: REACH registered, subject to restrictions on quantities.
Other Regional Compliance: Follow provincial, municipal, and international regulations for workplace exposure, environmental release, and waste management.
Labeling Requirements: Hazard pictograms, signal word, standardized hazard and precautionary statements as required under GHS.
Worker Training: Employees must receive training for handling toxic and hazardous chemicals.
Additional Notes: Keep updated on regulations; changes can impact classification, storage, and disposal requirements.