Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VANADIUM CARBONYL, SODIUM SALT

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Source of vanadium hexacarbonyl a chemical intermediate used in the production of plating
compounds and fuel additives. A complex compound not accurately described by its name.

SYNONYMS

Na(C6-H14-O3)2V(CO)6, "vanadium hexacarbonyl, sodium salt", "bisdiglymesodium
hexacarbonyl vanadate"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Spontaneously flammable in air.
Extremely flammable.
May cause fire.
Harmful to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Pyrophoric compounds may produce gastrointestinal damage resulting fromlocal generation of heat.  Vanadium poisoning causes immediate distress with nose bleeds, severe diarrhea, paralysis of the legs, breathing difficulties, convulsions and death. The liver and kidneys may degenerate, and sometimes there can be bleeding from the lung and adrenal cortex. Vanadium is about as toxic as arsenic.  

EYE

  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Pyrophoric compounds may produce thermal burns on contact with the eye.  

SKIN

  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  There is some evidence to suggest that this material can cause inflammation of the skin on contact in some persons.  Pyrophoric compounds can produce irritation with a range of severity. Deep burns can occur in severe cases, with shock.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce health damage*.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  There is some evidence to suggest that the material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  Pyrophoric compounds may decompose giving rise to potent irritants of therespiratory tract.  The inhalation of vanadium dust can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, with cough, wheezing, bronchitis, phlegm with blood stains, and blackening of the tongue. Internal symptoms may include loss of appetite, anemia, nausea, headache, sleep difficulties, nervousness, dizziness, kidney damage, tremor, psychic disturbances and blindness.  Carbon monoxide poisoning results in breathing problems, diarrhea and shock. It combines with hemoglobin, the carrier of oxygen in the blood, much more easily than oxygen; the complex formed can disturb muscle function, especially the heart.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Vanadium is an essential trace element. Poisoning can cause stomach upset,emphysema and wheezing.