INCOMOND Nickel Sulphate
1. Identification of the Substance /Preparation and Company
Trade Name: INCOMOND Nickel Sulphate
C.A.S. Number: 10101-97-0
EINECS Number: 2321049
EEC Label No: 232-104-9
Company Name
Vale Inco Europe Ltd.
5th Floor Windsor House
50 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0XB,
England
Tel. (44) 20 7931 7733
Fax: (44)01792 841357
Emergency Tel. No.24 hr. (44) 01792 842501
2. Composition / Information on Ingredients
Typical analysis and information on hazardous substance
Hazardous Ingredients
Composition
TRK mg/m3*
TLV mg/m3*
MEL mg/m3*
Nickel Sulphate Hexahydrate
100%
0.05
0.1
0.1
3. Hazards Identification
Xn:
R22
R42/43
R40
S22
S36/37
Harmful if swallowed
May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact
Category 3 carcinogen; possible risk of irreversible effects
Do not breathe dust
Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves
Ingestion
Solutions of nickel sulphate are harmful and may cause nausea, vomiting and/or
diarrhea. The LD50 for rats is >200mg/kg body weight
Inhalation
Nickel sulphate aerosols may cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract and respiratory
sensitization.
Eye Contact
Nickel sulphate aerosols may cause irritation to the eyes.
Skin Contact
Nickel sulphate may cause irritation to the skin and nickel sensitivity that may result in
allergies, skin rashes and/or asthma.
Environment:
‘Dangerous for the environment’
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N:
R50
R53
Very toxic to aquatic organisms
May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
4. First Aid Measures
Ingestion
Drink large quantities of water. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation
No specific first aid required
Skin
Wash thoroughly with water. For rashes seek medical advice and provide safety data
sheet if possible.
Eyes
Irrigate eyeballs thoroughly with water for at least 10 minutes. If discomfort persists, seek
medical attention.
Wounds
Cleanse thoroughly to remove any nickel sulphate particles.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Non-flammable. May evolve toxic sulphur containing gases if involved in a fire. Extinguish surrounding fires with
appropriate methods.
6. Accidental Release
Wear waterproof gloves and suitable protective clothing. Do not allow spills to enter watercourses. Collect spills by
sweeping or vacuuming with the vacuum exhaust passing through a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter if
exhaust is discharged into the work place.
Environmental precautions – collect, reclaim and recycle spills. If it is necessary to dispose of spilled material, do so in
accordance with regulations. Liquid spills should be treated with lime and the solids collected. Wear appropriate
nationally approved respirators if collection and disposal of spills is likely to cause the concentration limits of airborne
nickel to exceed prescribed exposure limits.
7. Handling and Storage
Keep in the container supplied and keep container closed when not in use. Nickel sulphate is subject to the Control of
Major Accident Hazards Directives 82/501EEC, 96/82/EC & 98/433/EC (The Seveso Directive).
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
For exposure limits see Section 2. Maintain airborne nickel sulphate levels as low as possible. Do not inhale dust.
Ventilation is normally required when handling or using this product to keep airborne nickel below the nationally
authorized limits. If ventilation alone cannot control exposure, use nationally approved respirators.
Avoid eye contact; wear goggles or face shield. Avoid repeated skin contact; wear suitable protective clothing and
waterproof gloves. Wash skin thoroughly after handling and before eating, drinking or smoking. Launder clothing and
gloves as needed.
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9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Green/white crystals. Slight acidic odour if wet.
Ingredient
Mol. Wt.
pH(5)
NiSO4.6H2O
269.9
3.4
Viscosity
N/A
Freezing point / freezing range
N/A
Boiling point/ boiling range
N/A
Flash Point
N/A
Autoflammability
N/A
Explosive properties
N/A
Vapour pressure
N/A
Bulk density
1.9 g/cm3
Solubility cold water
>50 g/l
Solubility hot water
>340 g/l
Partition coefficient
N/A
Other data
Decomposes on heating
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stable at ambient temperatures. At high temperatures toxic sulphur containing gases may be evolved.
11 Toxicological Information
Ingestion
Inhalation
Cancer
The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concluded that
there is no evidence that nickel and its inorganic compounds are carcinogenic. The LD50
rat is >200 <5000mg/kg body weight. Nickel sulphate is classified as harmful if
swallowed.
Recently completed animal studies using a relevant route of exposure, performed by the
National Toxicology Program in the USA, have suggested that soluble nickel compounds
are not carcinogenic themselves.
They can cause cell inflammation and cell proliferation. They may act as enhancers of
others compounds such as insoluble nickel compounds. Insoluble nickel compounds are
known to be carcinogenic. There is a lack of evidence of carcinogenicity of soluble nickel
in the absence of other compounds.
Human data shows some evidence of carcinogenicity of soluble compounds but only in
the presence of relatively high doses of insoluble nickel compounds. There is no
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evidence from animal studies that nickel compounds are carcinogenic by relevant routes
of exposure.
ACGIH has re-evaluated the data regarding the carcinogenicity of nickel and nickel
compounds and has decided that nickel sulphate is not classifiable as a human
carcinogen, Class A4. Prior to 1998 ACGIH categorised only “nickel sulphide roasting
fume and dust as an A1 carcinogen (confirmed human carcinogen). A re-examination in
1998 resulted in the following:
A1
A4
A5
(“Confirmed human carcinogen”) – Insoluble nickel compounds and
nickel subsulfide
(“Not classifiable as a human carcinogen”) – Soluble
(“Not suspected as a human carcinogen”) – Elemental Nickel
A risk assessment on soluble nickel showed that “...epidemiological data suggest a role
for soluble nickel in the development of cancer.
Evaluation of the role of soluble nickel is complicated by the potentially confounding
effects of smoking, a known cause of lung cancer, co-exposure to insoluble forms of
nickel as a result of the processes and the work environment, and, in some time periods,
exposures to other chemicals in the workplace.
Consequently, the role of soluble nickel alone in carcinogenicity to humans cannot be
determined from the epidemiological studies.”
Sensitisation
Nickel sulphate is a potent skin and respiratory sensitiser. Cases of asthma have been
reported in nickel plating workers where exposures have been mainly to soluble nickel
salts.
Skin Contact
Repeated contact with nickel sulphate may cause nickel sensitivity resulting in skin
allergy and/or asthma.
Pre-existing Conditions
Sensitised individuals may experience an allergic skin rash and/or asthma. Persons with
a known history of nickel dermatitis or asthma should avoid contact with nickel sulphate.
Persons with a history of eczema should be warned of the risks on contact with nickel
salts.
Mutagenicity/Reproductive
Toxicity
There are no available human or animal studies data suitable for evaluation.
12. Ecological Information
Nickel sulphate is very toxic to green algae and to water fleas on ecotoxicity testing.
13. Disposal Information
Nickel containing material is normally collected to recover nickel values. Follow regulations if disposal is deemed
necessary. Take special note of the ecological classification.
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14. Transport Information
International Maritime Dangerous Good Code
Not regulated.
International Civil Aviation Organisation Technical
Instructions for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air
Not regulated.
European Agreement Concerning the International
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and/or Rail
Regulated as “3077 Environmentally Hazardous
Substance, solid, n.o.s., nickel sulphate, 9
U.S. Dept. of Transportation Regulations
Regulated as an “Other regulated substance, solid,
n.o.s., (nickel sulfate), class 9, NA3077” in quantities of
45.4 kg/package or more.
Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
Regulated as an environmentally dangerous good,
“Nickel sulphate, class 9.2, NA9141” in quantities of
230 kg/package or more.
15. Regulatory Information
Nickel sulphate is classified as a Category 3 carcinogen, "a substance which causes concern for man owing to the
possible carcinogenic effect but in respect of which the available information is not adequate for making a satisfactory
assessment", by the EU in Directive 67/548/EEC (Classification, Packaging and Labelling Directive) and in the UK in the
Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations and, as such, it requires to be labelled with the
following risk and safety phrases.
“Harmful” symbol
Xn:
R22
Harmful if swallowed.
R42/43 May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact.
R40
Category 3 carcinogen. Harmful, possible risk of irreversible effects.
S22
Do not breathe dust.
S36/37 Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.
Nickel sulphate is classified as ‘Dangerous to the Environment’ by EU Directive 67/548/EEC (Classification, Packaging
and Labelling Directive) and the UK Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations. Labelling
information is:
R51
R53
Toxic to aquatic organisms.
May cause adverse long term effects in the aquatic environment.
16. Other Information
Medical staff should note that this data sheet has been lodged with the following Poisons Information Centre:
The Welsh National Poisons Unit,
Ward West 5,
Llandough Hospital,
Penarth, Cardiff.
CF6 1XX Tel. No. 01222709901
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17. Preparation Information
Prepared by:
Vale Inco Limited
200 Bay St., Royal Bank Plaza
Suite 1600, South Tower, PO Box 70
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2K2
Product Stewardship (416) 361-7801
MSDS available online at www.valeinco.com
[email protected]
Note:
Vale Inco believes that the information in this Material Safety Data Sheet is accurate. However, Vale Inco makes no express or
implied warranty as to the accuracy of such information and expressly disclaims any liability resulting from reliance on such
information.
Footnotes:
1 Threshold Limit Value of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
2 Exposure Limits for user operations will depend on the relevant governmental regulations.
3 Describes possible health hazards of the product supplied. If user operations change it to other chemical forms, whether as end
products, intermediates or fugitive emissions, the possible health hazards of such forms must be determined by the user.
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