Nickel Sulfate Hexahydrate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Nickel Sulfate Hexahydrate
Chemical Formula: NiSO₄·6H₂O
CAS Number: 10101-97-0
EC Number: 232-104-9
Molecular Weight: 262.85 g/mol
Common Uses: Electroplating baths, battery manufacturing, laboratory reagents, dye mordant, catalyst preparation.
Appearance: Blue to blue-green crystalline solid
Synonyms: Nickel(II) sulfate hexahydrate, Nickel monosulphate hexahydrate
Supplier: Check product label for manufacturer and distributor contact details.
Recommended Use Restrictions: Use only in industrial and laboratory settings with established safety controls.

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral) Category 4, Acute Toxicity (Inhalation) Category 4, Skin Sensitization Category 1, Carcinogenicity Category 1A, Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B, Aquatic Acute Category 1, Aquatic Chronic Category 1
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled, may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled, may cause an allergic skin reaction, may cause cancer by inhalation, suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child, very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Pictograms: Skull and Crossbones, Exclamation Mark, Health Hazard, Environment
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, avoid contact with skin and eyes, use protective clothing, avoid release to environment, wash thoroughly after handling.
Target Organs: Lungs, respiratory tract, skin, eyes, reproductive system
Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Nickel(II) sulfate hexahydrate
CAS Number: 10101-97-0
EC Number: 232-104-9
Concentration: ≥ 98% by weight
Other Ingredients: Trace water; no significant impurities contributing to hazard classification.

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, monitor for breathing difficulty, seek medical advice for persistent symptoms, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, administer artificial respiration if not breathing.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with plenty of soap and water, seek medical attention for irritation or allergic reaction, launder clothing before reuse.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Most Important Symptoms: Possible respiratory tract irritation, persistent skin rash, eye irritation, asthma-like symptoms, signs of sensitization.
Advice to Physician: Treat symptomatically, consider possibility of severe allergic reaction or respiratory issues.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide as appropriate.
Specific Hazards: May emit toxic fumes such as sulfur oxides and nickel oxides under fire conditions, avoid inhaling combustion products.
Protective Equipment and Precautions for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing to avoid exposure.
Special Notes: Move containers from fire area if safe to do so, cool containers exposed to flames with water spray, prevent fire runoff from entering drains or waterways.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, and respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so, avoid discharge into drains, waterways, and soil.
Containment Methods: Sweep up and shovel spilled material using non-sparking tools, avoid creating dust, place in a suitable container for disposal.
Clean-Up Methods: Ventilate area, wash spill site after material pickup, dispose of waste according to local regulations.
Decontamination: Thoroughly wash exposed surfaces, check affected areas for contamination before reentry.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Tips: Avoid breaching packaging, minimize dust generation, wear proper PPE, only handle in well-ventilated areas, never eat, drink, or smoke during use, practice hygiene after handling.
Storage Requirements: Keep tightly closed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place, store away from incompatible substances like strong acids and reducing agents, secure from unauthorized access, label storage containers clearly.
Other Considerations: Regularly inspect containers for integrity, keep separate from food and feedstuffs, prevent environmental contamination by containing any leaks or spills.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Nickel compounds (as Ni): OSHA PEL 1 mg/m³ (TWA), NIOSH REL 0.015 mg/m³ (TWA), ACGIH TLV 0.1 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosures to minimize airborne exposure, provide eyewash stations and safety showers.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, PVC), safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or apron, and an approved respirator if dust levels approach limits.
General Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, do not bring contaminated clothing outside the work area, launder contaminated clothing before reuse.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Blue to green crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: ~4.5 (50 g/L in water at 20°C)
Melting Point: 53°C (dehydrates to form anhydrous salt)
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Relative Density: 2.07 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: 290 g/L at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Decomposition Temperature: Loses water at 53°C, further decomposes on strong heating
Viscosity: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage, prone to forming basic nickel sulfate in the presence of alkali.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, reducing agents, alkalis, powdered metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nickel oxides, sulfur oxides, possibly toxic metal fumes on strong heating.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: No dangerous reactions known if used according to intended purposes but avoid contact with incompatibles or heating above decomposition point.
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, moisture leading to solution, contact with incompatibles, physical damage to containers.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ in rats: approximately 361 mg/kg; Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may result in skin sensitization, asthma-like symptoms, and increased cancer risk due to nickel compounds’ classification as Group 1 carcinogens by IARC.
Skin and Eye Contact: May cause strong irritation, redness, and swelling; possible allergic skin reactions after sensitization.
Inhalation Exposure: Can induce tightness in chest, labored breathing, and lung inflammation; chronic exposure linked to lung and nasal cancer in humans.
Ingestion Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; severe ingestion may affect kidneys and liver.
Reproductive Toxicity: Classified as toxic for reproduction, can harm fertility and cause developmental toxicity based on animal studies.
Other Data: Nickel compounds associated with allergic dermatitis among electroplating and battery industry workers.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic plants and fish.
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, does not degrade, persists in soil and water.
Bioaccumulative Potential: High potential for nickel ions to bioaccumulate in the food chain.
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in moist environments, can contaminate groundwater.
Other Adverse Effects: Promotes bio-toxicity; government warnings highlight risks to aquatic life where plating shop effluents enter streams.
Preventative Actions: Do not allow uncontrolled release into environment, follow all applicable regulations for wastewater and solid disposal.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous according to local, regional, and national regulations; do not discharge residue into sewer or waterways.
Container Disposal: Rinse containers, allow to dry, dispose of via licensed chemical waste handler.
Product Disposal: Recover or recycle nickel where feasible, use licensed waste facilities, avoid landfilling where not permitted.
Precautions: Keep waste separate from regular trash, do not incinerate, maintain records of disposal for inspection.
Regulatory References for Disposal: Refer to EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in the US, equivalent hazardous waste regulations elsewhere.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3288
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic Solid, Inorganic, n.o.s. (contains Nickel Sulfate Hexahydrate)
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic (skull and crossbones symbol)
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transportation Precautions: Use approved container, prevent any spillage during transport, follow all applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG), inform carrier of hazardous nature.

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed as hazardous, subject to all relevant worker protection standards.
TSCA: Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.
SARA Title III: Considered Section 313 toxic chemical, subject to annual reporting requirements.
CERCLA: Nickel compounds have a reportable quantity of 100 lb.
RCRA: Classified as hazardous waste if spilled or unused.
REACH/EU Regulation: Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) for reprotoxicity and carcinogenicity; subject to authorization and use restrictions in the EU.
Canada WHMIS: Classified as D2A (Very Toxic Material) and D2B (Toxic Material).
Other International Lists: Nickel compounds are listed in inventories and subject to strict regulation in many jurisdictions.
Labelling Requirements: Clearly labeled with hazard statements, pictograms, and precautionary measures according to GHS.