Zinc
Physico-chemical properties
DACTARI
Element
Symbol
Atomic number
Atomic weight
Chemical series
Discovered
Origin of the name
Electron configuration
Density
Melting point
Boiling point
Pearson classification (acid and base)
Electronegativity (Pauling scale)
Ionic Radius (Marcus)
Coordination number
Oxidation states (main in bold)
Redox potential
Main mineral compounds (solids)
Main Industrial compounds (solids)
Main industrial compounds (solution)
Biological role
Main isotopes
Zinc
Zn
30
65.4
Transition metal
Utilised in ancient India and 1000 BC as brass goods.
Isolation of pure zinc is attributed to A. Marggraf, 1746
From german word “Zink” which means tooth
[Ar] 3d10 4s2
7.14 g/cm3
419°C
907°C
Borderline
1.65
0.74 Å
4-8
II (Zn2+)
- 0.76 V (Zn2+/Zn)
Smithsonite (ZnCO3), sphalerite (ZnS), willemite
(Zn2SiO4), zincite (ZNO), hemimorphite, franklinite…
ZnCl2, ZnSO4, Zn(NO3)2, Zn(ClO3)2, Zn(CN)2, ZnF2,
ZnO, Zn(OH)2, ZnCrO4,
Organics Zn-methyl, stearate…
ZnCl2, ZnSO4, Zn(NO3)2, Zn(ClO3)2, Zn(CN)2 ...
in enzymes, metallothioneins,
zinc fingers…
65Zn (T1/2 = 243.9 d, β,) (1g = 3.05 1014 Bq)
Zinc
Acute toxicity
DACTARI
Element
Symbol
Zinc (all soluble compounds)
Zinc powder
Zinc oxide
Zinc chloride : ZnCl2
Zinc nitrate : Zn(NO3)2
Zinc sulfate : ZnSO4
Zinc acetate : Zn(CH3CO2)2
Zinc stearate
References
Fractional absorption : fA (ICRP 100)
Materno-fœtal transfer (ICRP 88)
Zinc
Zn
LD 50 (mg/kg) (rat/oral)
Classification LD50*
237 - > 5000
3 - NC
2000
NC
> 5000
NC
350 -1100
4
1500
4
620 - 2950
4 - NC
237-2410
3 - NC
> 5000
NC
ATSDR, INERIS, INRS (FT 75), HSDB
0.5
2
*Classification of Acute Toxicity on the Basis of the LD 50.
Exposure Route
Oral (mg/kg
bodyweight)
Dermal (mg/kg
bodyweight)
Gases (ppmV)
Vapours (mg/l)
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
ATE < 5
5 < ATE < 50
50 < ATE < 300
300 < ATE < 2000
ATE ≤ 50
50 < ATE < 200
200 < ATE < 1000
1000 < ATE < 2000
ATE < 100
100 < ATE < 500
500 < ATE < 2500
2500 < ATE < 20000
ATE < 0.5
0.5 < ATE < 2.0
2.0 < ATE < 10.0
10.0 < ATE < 20.0
*Acute toxicity hazard categories and acute toxicity estimates (ATE)
* Classification du GHS (United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals) des DL50 devant rentrer en vigueur en Europe en 2008. Proposal for a regulation of the
European parliament and of the council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and
mixtures, and amending Directive 67/548/EEC and Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
Commission of the European Communities, Brussels, 27.6.2007 - COM(2007) 355 final , 2007/0121
(COD).Volume II (Annex I),
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_legislation_en.htm (volume 2, annexe 1 )
Zinc
Chronic toxicity
DACTARI
Element
Zinc
Symbol
Zn
Isotopes
65Zn
WHO
RN water guide value (Bq/L)
chemical water guide value (mg/L)
CMR classification
IARC (1 to 4)
CEE
EPA
Non carcinogen
Critical effect
RfD (reference dose) mg/kg/d
100
No value : may affect the
acceptability of water
RN β emitter C :1
-
NOAEL mg/kg/d
Risk phrases
Risk group (Delacroix)
# Specific activities: 65Zn (1g = 3.05 1014 Bq)
IARC carcinogenicity to humans:
C:1
C : 2A
C : 2B
C:3
C:4
Carcinogenic to humans
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Possibly carcinogenic to humans
Unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity for humans
Probably not carcinogenic for humans
Radiotoxic groups (Delacroix et al., 2002) :
G 1 : Exemption < 104 Bq
G 2 : Exemption < 105 Bq
G 3 : Exemption = 106 Bq
G 4 : Exemption = 107 Bq
G 5 : Exemption > 108 Bq
Chemical compound
Zinc chromate C:1
Zinc chromate C:1
Zinc chromate C:D
Target organs : liver, kidneys
Zinc all compounds : 0.3 (EPA)
Zinc phosphure : 3 10-4
Zinc cyanide : 5 10-2
3