CYANOTYPE

Contains:

PHOTOCHEM Material Safety Data Sheet

PHOTOCHEM Material Safety Data Sheet
Date of Issue: 01.04.2004

     Company:  Business Trading name :Photochem (Australia)
     Address:  53 -58 Munster Terrace North Melbourne
     Telephone:  (03) 9915 1900  Fax 03 9915 1905

Product Name: Potassium Dichromate U.N. Number: 1479

Other Names: Potassium Bichromate Hazchem Code: 1WE

Dangerous Goods Class: 5.1 Dangerous Goods Sub Risk: 6.1(b) Poisons Schedule:S6 (Fed)

Use: Chemical Reagent. Oxidising agent. In tanning leather. In dying and Printing.

Boiling Point: Decomposes @ 500 degC Melting Point: 398 degC

Volatile Component: None Specific Gravity: 2.69

Molecular weight: 294.18 pH: 4.04 on 1% solution

Chemical Entity: CAS No. Proportion (wgt%)

Potassium dichromate 7778-50-9 100%

Health Effects:

Swallowed: Highly toxic. Due to the effects of Potassium salts on the heart, accidental ingestion of large amounts by persons suffering with a heart condition should be considered serious and immediate medical assistance sought. Symptoms of acute poisining by ingestion and gastroenteritis, nephritis, oliguria and peripheral vascular collapse.

Evidence from animal tests indicate that repeated or prolonged exposure to this chemical could result in liver, kidney and blood disorders. Chrome ulcers or skin sores are well known. Chromium salts are recognised carcinogens of the lungs, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus.

Eye: A severe eye irritant.

Skin: Contact with the skin will result in severe irritation. Can be absorbed through cuts and abrasions with resultant toxic affects as though inhaled. Serious health effects may result from prolonged contact. Prolonged skin absorption may give rise to deep perforating ulcers-chrome holes together with other symptoms.

Inhaled: Harmful by inhalation. Inhalation of dust will result in respiratory irritation.

Evidence available indicates that the product is an animal carcinogen and therefore should be considered a potential human carcinogen. Evidence from animal tests indicate that prolonged exposure to this chemical could result in liver, kidney and blood disorders. Chrome ulcers or skin sores are well known. Chromium salts are recognised carcinogens of the lungs, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus.

First Aid

If swallowed: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water immediately. If swallowed and if more than 15 minutes from a hospital, induce vomiting, preferably using ipecac Syrup, APF*. Seek immediate medical attention.

Eye: Immediately irrigate with copius amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Eyelids to be held open. Seek immediate medical assistance.

Skin: Remove contaminated clothing and wash before re-use. Wash affected areas with copius quantities of water immediately. Wash with plenty of soap and water. If sweling, redness, blistering or irritation occurs, seek medical advice.

Inhaled: Seek urgent medical attention.

Exposure Standards: Chromium (VI) compunds, as Cr, water soluble, 0.05 mg/m3, sensitising agent, Worksafe Australia.

Engineering Controls: Maintain concentration below recommended exposure limit. Avoid generating and inhaling dusts. Use with local exhaust ventilation or while wearing appropriate respirator.

Personal Protection: Always wash hands before smoking, eating or drinking or using the toilet. Wash contaminated clothing and protective equipment before storing/re-using. Avoid skin and eye contact. The following personal protective equipment should be worn:

Safety glasses, goggles or glass shield as appropriate. Gloves are also required. Overalls or similar apparel should also be worn.

Flammability: Powerful oxidising agent and will always assist combustion.

Fire and Explosion Hazard: Decomposes on heating emitting toxic fumes. Can react with oxidizable substances if involved in a fire. Fire fighters to wear self contained breathing aparatus if risk of exposure. Use water spray.

Environment: Avoid contaminating waterways

Storage and Transport: Store away from foodstuffs. Not to be loaded with foodstuffs. Not to be loaded in the same vehicle or freight container as: Explosives, flammable gas, poisonous gas, flammable liquids, flammable solids, spontaneous combustible substances, dangerous when wet substances, organic peroxides, poisons capable of ignition and burning, radioactive substances, corrosive, class 9 material capable of ignition and burning.

Spills & Disposal: Avoid breathing dust or vapours and contact with skin and eyes. Sweep up, but avoid generating dust. Collect and seal in properly labeled drums for disposal. Observe local regulations. Wear appropriate protective clothing. Wear an appropriate respirator. Take particular care not to mix with readily reducible materials for subsequent safe disposal. Alternatively, small spillages may be flushed to drain with a large volume of water.

Photochem Customer Technical Services: (03) 9827-0877

Additional Information:

This Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) summarises our best knowledge of the health and safety information of the product and how to safely handle and use the product in the workplace.

Each user should read this MSDS and consider the information in the context of how the product will be handled and used in the workplace. The use should be considered also in conjuction with other products.

If clarification or further information is needed to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment can be made, the user should contact this company.