Material Safety Data Sheet: Nickel Sulfate Heptahydrate

Identification

Product Name: Nickel Sulfate Heptahydrate
Chemical Formula: NiSO₄·7H₂O
Synonyms: Nickel(II) sulfate, Nickel monosulfate, Nickelous sulfate
CAS Number: 10101-97-0
EC Number: 232-104-9
Recommended Use: Electroplating, laboratory reagent, catalyst production, pigment manufacture
Supplier: Supplier name, address, phone number, and emergency contact must be found on the original packaging
Emergency Phone Number: Refer to local regulations, or call medical emergency provider

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin sensitizer, Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin irritation. May cause allergic skin reactions. Toxic if inhaled. Suspected of causing cancer. May cause genetic defects.
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Exclamation mark, Health hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion
Environmental Hazard: Dangerous to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust. Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Do not eat, drink or smoke while using this product.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Nickel Sulfate Heptahydrate
Concentration: 99-100%
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of other metal sulfates or residual acid from manufacturing, rarely above 0.5%
Molecular Weight: 262.86 g/mol
Other Components: No other significant ingredients; hazard relates directly to nickel ion content

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air as quickly as possible. Avoid exposure to rescuers. Get medical attention if symptoms develop: coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. Oxygen may be needed.
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Wash affected area at least 15 minutes. Seek medical advice if rash or irritation appears.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses after first few minutes. Continue rinsing. Call physician or poison center.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Immediately seek medical advice. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Most Important Symptoms: Respiratory distress, allergic skin reactions, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: None known for this hydrate
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn but may release toxic nickel or sulfur oxide fumes if involved in a fire
Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear full protective clothing and a self-contained breathing apparatus
Fire Fighting Instructions: Move containers away from fire area if safe. Dike runoff to prevent environmental contamination. Stay upwind to avoid inhalation of gases.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear suitable respiratory protection, gloves, and safety goggles. Evacuate area unless directly involved in cleanup. Restrict access.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from entering drains, surface or ground water. Alert authorities if contamination occurs.
Containment: Avoid creating dust. Use non-sparking tools to collect all material into labeled containers.
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up and place in suitable tightly sealed containers. Ventilate area. Wash spill site after material pickup is complete.
Decontamination: Dispose cleanup waste as hazardous material according to local regulations.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Practices: Use in areas with proper ventilation or local exhaust. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not eat, drink or smoke during use. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Storage Requirements: Keep container tightly closed, dry, and well-ventilated. Store away from incompatible materials such as strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents.
Storage Temperature: Room temperature, avoid extreme heat or cold.
Container Type: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed containers with clear hazardous labeling.
Special Instructions: Separate from food and feedstuffs. Maintain inventory controls and limit access.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Control Parameters: Nickel compounds OSHA PEL: 1 mg/m³ (as Ni), ACGIH TLV: 0.1 mg/m³ (inhalable)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, fume hoods, or process enclosures.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved particulate respirator if exposure limits are exceeded, or dust generation likely
Skin Protection: Protective gloves (nitrile or neoprene), long-sleeved clothing
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles
General Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after use. Remove contaminated clothing. Keep work areas clean.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Green or blue-green crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Acidic (typically 4.0-5.5 at 50g/L solution)
Melting Point: Loses water at 53°C, decomposes above 100°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes on heating
Solubility: Soluble in water; insoluble in ethanol
Relative Density: About 2.07 (water=1)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient: Data not available
Flash Point: Not flammable
Other Physical Properties: Forms efflorescent powder if left exposed to air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents, cyanides (possibility of toxic reactions)
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, heat, and incompatible substances
Decomposition Products: Nickel oxides, sulfur oxides, toxic metal fumes
Hazardous Reactions: No dangerous polymerization. Dust can become airborne and pose inhalation hazard.

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal, ingestion, eye
Acute Toxicity: Toxic by ingestion and inhalation (oral rat LD₅₀: 361 mg/kg). Dermal LD₅₀ not established.
Irritation: Causes skin and eye irritation, potential for allergic contact dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: Classified as Group 1 carcinogen (IARC); strong evidence in humans
Mutagenicity: Positive in several in vitro mutagenicity tests
Reproductive Effects: Animal studies show adverse effects on fertility and fetal development
Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to respiratory sensitization, asthma, and chronic lung damage
Target Organs: Lungs, skin, immune system, kidneys

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life (LC₅₀ for fish < 10 mg/L)
Persistence and Biodegradability: Poorly biodegradable; persists in soil and water
Bioaccumulation Potential: Nickel can accumulate in aquatic organisms
Soil Mobility: Nickel ions moderately mobile; possible leaching to groundwater
Environmental Notes: Avoid release to environment. Harmful to aquatic plants and invertebrates.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Method: Treat as hazardous waste. Collect in clearly marked, corrosion-resistant containers.
Disposal Regulations: Dispose according to local, regional, national, and international regulations for heavy metals.
Prohibited Disposal: Never flush to drains or natural water systems.
Packaging Disposal: Contaminated packaging should be handled as hazardous material and fully decontaminated or sent to approved disposal facility.
Recycling: Some localities recover nickel compounds for reuse; consult with waste contractor.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3288
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, inorganic, n.o.s. (Nickel Sulfate Heptahydrate)
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Transport Labels: Toxic, Environmental Hazard (as required)
Special Precautions: Handle with suitable protection to prevent release during transport. Follow emergency response guides for spills or exposures.

Regulatory Information

TSCA: Listed on the US EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
OSHA: Regulated as a hazardous substance; subject to worker exposure limits
REACH: Registered in the EU as SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern)
Canada (DSL): Listed
IARC: Classified as a human carcinogen (Group 1)
SARA Title III: Reportable quantity established; subject to community right-to-know reporting
Other Requirements: Subject to restriction or special labeling under country-specific chemical control regulations. Always check applicable state, provincial or federal documentation for additional rules.