GPS Safety Summary. Potassium Carbonate K 2 CO 3

Transcription

1 GPS Safety Summary Potassium Carbonate This Product Safety Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the chemical substance in the context of ICCA Global Product Strategy. The information on the summary is basic information and is not intended to provide emergency response information, medical information or treatment information. Substance name Potassium carbonate CAS-No.: Potassium carbonate is a white solid at room temperature and is generated from potassium hydroxide by reaction with carbon dioxide. It has a long history, being the primary component of Potash, which has been used from early history in textile bleaching, glass manufacture and soap production. It dissolves in water to give an alkaline (basic) solution. It is used in large quantities in a variety of industries. Chemical identity Name Potassium carbonate Chemical name (IUPAC) dipotassium carbonate CAS number EC number Molecular formula K2CO3 Structure K 2 CO 3 Chemical characterization Synonyms Inorganic carbonate potash pearl ash Evonik Industries I AG GPS Safety Summary K2CO3 March 2014 Version 002 page 1/5

2 Uses and application Potassium carbonate has many different functions and uses. It is primarily used in large industry, in the manufacture of chemicals, fertilisers, soap and glass. It is also used as a drying agent (it removes water from air) and to reduce acidity when producing mead or wine. It is an ingredient in many formulations for consumer use, like disinfectants, ink and toners, paints and cleaning products (among others). Physical/chemical properies Pure potassium carbonate is a solid at room temperature. The appearance of the substance and some physicochemical properties are mentioned in the table below. Potassium carbonate dissociates completely in water into potassium (K + ) and carbonate ions (CO3 2- ). The dissolution/dissociation in water is exothermic (releases heat), so a vigorous reaction can occur when potassium carbonate is added to water. The vapor pressure of the substance is very low and a melting point cannot be determined, as the substance decomposes at high temperature. Property Value Form(s) solid Physical state Solid (powder) Color white Density 2.43 g/cm 3 (19 C) Melting point 891 C Boiling point The substance decomposes at high temperature Molecular weight g/mol Water solubility Very soluble Flashpoint not flammable Health effects Potassium carbonate is a hygroscopic substance and therefore solid potassium carbonate slowly absorbs water from the air. Exposure to the pure substance can lead to skin and eye irritation, so contact with skin and eyes should be avoided. Potassium carbonate will dissociate into its constituent ions and will not be systemically available in the body. As a consequence, potassium carbonate will not cause systemic toxicity in any organs, including the reproductive system. Furthermore, potassium carbonate is not carcinogenic or genotoxic. Environmental effects Potassium carbonate has a low hazard to the environment. Potassium and carbonate ions are naturally found widely in the environment, and thus the substance itself will have little impact. Carbonate ions leads to a rise in ph of water (i.e. it becomes more basic), but this generally does not occur to a AG GPS Safety Summary K2CO3 March 2014 Version 002 page 2/5

3 large degree. However, the ph of waste water should be checked to ensure it is not too high. Because potassium carbonate is natural in the environment, the substance is not persistent and it will not accumulate in organisms or in the food chain. Exposure Worker Because potassium carbonate has many different applications, it is extensively used in the industry and also by other professionals. As mentioned above in the section on consumer exposure, skin contact for products or solutions with a low potassium carbonate concentration is generally not a concern due to low toxicity. The main concern for industrial uses of potassium carbonate is the formation of dust, which can be breathed in by workers and possibly cause irritation. In order to avoid this, measures should be taken to avoid dust formation and exposure. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be used and workers should consult the manufacturer s Safety Data Sheet to obtain specific advice. Consumer Potassium carbonate is widely used in consumer products. Generally it is not a concern for human exposure, and it is also used in food and drink products. The instructions on the label of all products should be read and followed carefully to ensure safe use. Environment The only possible hazard of potassium carbonate to the environment is caused by a raised alkalinity due to the carbonate ion (ph effect). Because there is legislation for the ph control of waste water and surface water in many countries, a significant ph increase of the aquatic environment (e.g. a river or a sea) is not expected due to the manufacture or use of potassium carbonate. Furthermore it is relatively easy to adapt the ph of waste water (to neutralize the ph of water) and therefore significant effects of potassium carbonate on the aquatic environment are not expected. Emissions to air are also not a concern because potassium carbonate has a low vapor pressure, and dust will be rapidly removed from air. State agency review REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006; EU REACH Registration number: OECD program for substances with large production volumes (2007) AG GPS Safety Summary K2CO3 March 2014 Version 002 page 3/5

4 Regulatory information/classification and labelling GHS-Classification Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2 H315 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2 H319 Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single exposure(inhalation, respiratory tract) Category 3 H335 GHS-Labeling Statutory basis Symbol(s) The substance is subject to harmonised classification and labelling under the EU Classification Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation EC/1272/2008 Signal word(s) Hazard statement(s) Warning H315 Causes skin irritation H319 Causes serious eye irritation H335 May cause respiratory irritation Precautionary statement(s) Prevention Reaction Storage P261 - Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/ mist/vapours/spray. P264 - Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P305 + P351 + P338 - IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P362 - Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. P403 + P233 - Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. The hazard statements above are applicable for a concentration in chemical products of 3% w/w or higher. For concentrations below 3 % w/w the substance is not classified. AG GPS Safety Summary K2CO3 March 2014 Version 002 page 4/5

5 Conclusion Potassium carbonate is used in large amounts in industry and consumer products. It can cause some irritation at high concentrations. However, no effects on human health are expected when humans are in contact with low concentrations or amounts of the substance. The substance is neutralised in the environment and therefore it is not persistent. Furthermore it does not accumulate in organisms. Waste water which contains potassium carbonate should be neutralised (ph control) before it is discharged to the environment. In this way effects on the aquatic environment (for example organisms living in a river) are prevented. Use of this substance has shown to be safe by careful use and following provided instructions Glossary Acute toxicity Biodegradable Bioaccumulation Carcinogenicity Chronic toxicity GHS Mutagenicity PBT Reprotoxicity Sensitizing Teratogenic vpvb harmful effects after a single exposure breakdown of materials by a physiological environment accumulation of substances in the environment effects causing cancer harmful effects after repeated exposures Global Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling effects that change genes Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects on fertility allergenic effects on foetal morphology very Persistent very Bioaccumulative Contact information within company EU address: Emergency Telephone number: Emergency Telefax number: sds-info@evonik.com +49 (0) (Fire Brigade, Infracor GmbH) +49 (0) (Fire Brigade, Infracor GmbH) USA address: Emergency Telephone number: product.regulatory.services@evonik.com (CHEMTREC) Euro Chlor ( the European chlor-alkali manufacturers association is a useful repository of information regarding chlorine and can be contacted at eurochlor@cefic.be. This GPS Safety Summary is based on Evonik s present knowledge and experience as of the date of issue. However, it implies no liability or other legal responsibility on the part of Evonik, including with regards to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent rights. In no event shall Evonik be responsible for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information herein or the chemical to which that information refers. In particular, no warranty, whether express or implied, or guarantee in the legal sense is intended or implied by Evonik. This GPS Safety Summary is only intended to provide general information about the chemical referred to herein but not any indepth health and safety information. The information in this GPS Safety Summary is supplied on the condition that the persons receiving the same will make their own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use. This GPS Safety Summary does not supersede or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents. Performance of the chemical described herein should be verified by testing which should be carried out only by qualified experts. Evonik reserves the right to make any changes to this GPS Safety Summary in accordance with technological progress or further developments. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply, that similar products could not be used. March 2014