Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HOLMIUM(III) OXALATE DECAHYDRATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

C6H12Ho2.10H2O, Ho2(C2O4)3.10H2O, "holmium oxalate", "ethanedioic acid, holmium salt,
decahydrate"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  Soluble or solubilized oxalates act as severe corrosive agents within the alimentary tract and may be lethal as a result of severe gastroenteritis and secondary shock. Where gastrointestinal symptoms are absent (as is the case with dilute solutions) systemic effects may dominate resulting in muscle twitching, cramps, depression of respiratory and cardiac functions. Other symptoms of poisoning include vomiting (often bloody with coffee spots), pain, weak and irregular pulse, headache, stiffness, convulsions, stupor and coma. Kidney damage occurs, causing a reduction in frequency of urination, and also protein and blood in the urine.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Temporary discomfort, however, may result from prolonged dermal exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  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.  Exposure to vapors of some rare earth salts can cause sensitivity to heat, itching, and increased sensitivity of smell and taste. Other effects include inflamed airways and lung,  emphysema, regional narrowing of terminal airways and cell changes. Rarely, excess blood flow has occurred following a delay. Lung cancers can also occur.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact and inhalation of generated dust.  Holmium is a rare earth metal - heavy type (yttrium family). There has been no reports of poisoning in workers, although the metal can cause chest X-ray abnormalities due to its high density. It can cause scarring of the lungs, anemia and changes in blood cell distribution, due to inhalation of their dusts.