POTASSIUM CARBONATE:
HARMFUL BY INGESTION. IRRITATING TO SKIN/EYES.
White granular powder; m.p. n/a. Very soluble in water. OEL not assigned
Toxic effects:Harmful by ingestion.Irritating to skin eyes, and throat by inhalation of dust.
Hazardous reactions:Can give explosive mixtures with magnesium powder.
Fire hazards:MAY EVOLVE TOXIC FUMES IN FIRE. Flash point 76ºC, ignition temp. not
available; extinguish fire with dry powder.
Spillage & disposal:Mop up with plenty of water and run to waste, diluting with copious water. For larger
spillages, transfer to container for disposal.
(DHQ)2PHAL and (DHQD)2PHAL
TOXICITY NOT REPORTED - TREAT AS HARMFUL
Reaction liberates:
OSMIUM TETROXIDE:
TOXIC
VERY IRRITANT VAPOUR - CAUSES IRRITATION AND BURNS TO EYES AND SKIN
SEVERE INTERNAL IRRITANT IF INGESTED
EXPOSURE TO VAPOUR CAUSES VISION DEFECTS
OXIDANT
Colourless or yellow solid, very pungent odour; b.p. 130ºC, m.p. 40ºC. Soluble in water. OES 0.002 mg/m3(Os)
Toxic effects:Causes irritation and burns to eyes and skin. Very irritant vapour. If ingested causes
severe internal irritation and damage. Continued exposure to vapour causes disturbances
of vision. Continued skin contact causes dermatitis and ulceration.
Hazardous reactions:Powerful oxidising agent. Catalyses chlorate oxidations. Causes vigorous or violent
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Fire hazards:May evolve toxic fumes in fire.
Spillage & disposal:Wear face mask and nitrile gloves. Dissolve any solids in water and add a 25% solution
of potassium hydroxide. Add ethanol to precipitate a dark solid, which can be collected
and dried on a filter under fume extraction. This can be treated as for potassium osmate
above. Alternatively, mix solids with wet sand and absorb liquids on an inert absorbent
and package for disposal.
