Potassium hexafluorozirconate

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.6% (1 of 159) of reports.

H301 (95.6%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H311 (15.1%): Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]

H314 (10.1%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]

H315 (24.5%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

H318 (62.3%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H319 (24.5%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H331 (11.3%): Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H335 (24.5%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

H412 (27.7%): Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P260, P261, P262, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P363, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 159 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 1 of 159 reports by companies.

There are 12 notifications provided by 158 of 159 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Call a physician.

INHALATION: Move to fresh air.

EYES: Flush with large amount of water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.

SKIN: Wash with soap and water.

INGESTION: Dilute with water or milk. Remove by gastric lavage or vomiting. Give milk or starch drink to relieve irritation. Call a physician. (USCG, 1999)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Accidental release measures: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust.; Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains.; Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Environmental considerations: land spill: Dig a pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. ... Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. ... /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./

Environmental consideration: water spill: Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.

1. Ventilate area of spill. 2. Collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers for reclamation... . /Zirconium compound (as Zr)/

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. Normal measures for preventive fire protection.

Appropriate engineering controls: Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.

Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

If material not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. ... Build dikes to contain flow as necessary.

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. ... Avoid breathing vapors or dusts. ... Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. For solids, prevent dust cloud and avoid inhalation of dust. (ERG, 2024)

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Hygroscopic. Keep in a dry place.

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Fluorides in urine = 2 mg/L prior to shift or 3 mg/L at end of shift; (Repeated measurements recommended.)

1.0 [mg/m3], inhalable fraction (metal and insol. Zr cmpds.), (1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction, as F)[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

0.16 [mg/m3]

1.8 [mg/m3]

11 [mg/m3]

5.0 [mg/m3], as Zr (2.5 mg/m3, as F)

25.0 [mg/m3], as Zr

25 mg/cu m /Zirconium compounds (as Zr)/

10.0 [mg/m3], as Zr

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 5 mg/cu m; 15 min Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 10 mg/cu m. /Zirconium and compounds, as Zr/

A4; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen. /Zirconium and compounds, as Zr/

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 2.5 mg/cu m. /Fluorides, as F/

Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed 3 times the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 minutes during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded. /Fluorides, as F/

For more Threshold Limit Values (TLV) (Complete) data for ZIRCONIUM POTASSIUM FLUORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

West Germany: 5 mg/cu m (1974) /Zirconium, as Zr/

Rubber gloves, safety glasses. (USCG, 1999)

Eye/face protection: Face shield and safety glasses. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).

Skin protection: Handle with gloves.

Body Protection: Complete suit protecting against chemicals. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.

Respiratory protection: Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle respirator type N99 (US) or type P2 (EN 143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for ZIRCONIUM POTASSIUM FLUORIDE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Zirconium potassium fluoride appears as a white crystalline solid. The primary hazard it the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. It is slightly soluble in water. It is used in metal processing, as a catalyst in chemical manufacture, and for other uses.

White solid; [Hawley] White odorless crystalline solid; [MSDSonline]

Colorless monoclinic crystals

White crystals

1724 °F (USCG, 1999)

In water, 0.78 g/100 g water at 2 °C

Soluble in hot water

3.48 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

3.48 g/cu cm

3.48 @25 °C

Stable under recommended storage conditions.

Not flammable (USCG, 1999)

When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of /hydrogen fluoride and potassium oxide/.

Metals -> Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Soluble in hot water [Hawley].

Salts, Acidic

Acidic inorganic salts, such as ZIRCONIUM POTASSIUM FLUORIDE, are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and have pH's of less than 7.0. They react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. Many of these compounds catalyze organic reactions.

Solutions of zirconium potassium fluoride may contain some hydrofluoric acid, which can cause severe chemical burns and is one of the few materials that can etch glass. Unlike other halide ions, fluoride is quite reactive, acting as a weak base and participating in some unique reactions. In particular, fluorides react strongly with compounds containing calcium, magnesium, or silicon ions, which means that solutions containing soluble fluorides are corrosive to both living tissue and glass.

Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Zirconium potassium fluoride is found in the form of white crystals and colorless monoclinic crystals. It is used for the manufacture of metallic zirconium; as a grain refiner in magnesium and aluminum; welding fluxes; catalyst; optical glass. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: At this time there are no known human exposure studies for zirconium potassium fluoride. ANIMAL STUDIES: The oral LD50 in mice for zirconium potassium fluoride is 98 mg/kg. When it was tested up to the maximum tolerated dose of 250 mg zirconium potassium fluoride/kg bw by oral administration, it showed no mutagenic properties in a rat bone marrow micronucleus study at the two tested sampling times of 24 hours and 48 hours. Zirconium potassium fluoride caused serious damage to the eyes of rabbits when it was placed into the conjunctival sac.

A4; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen. /Fluorides, as F/

LD50 Mouse oral 98 mg/kg

/SRP:/ Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on the left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Poisons A and B/

/SRP:/ Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poisons A and B/

/SRP:/ Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasm ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W TKO /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poisons A and B/

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Fluorine and related compounds/

For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for ZIRCONIUM POTASSIUM FLUORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/GENOTOXICITY/ Potassium hexafluoro zirconate tested up to the maximum tolerated dose of 250 mg potassium hexafluoro zirconate/kg b.w. by oral administration showed no mutagenic properties in the rat bone marrow micronucleus study at the two tested sampling times of 24 hours and 48 hours. Systemic exposure was demonstrated by signs of little to maximum tolerable toxicity. In the same system, cyclophosphamide (positive reference item) induced significant increases in micronucleus frequency.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ A volume of 0.06 mL of /dipotassium hexafluorozirconate/, which was found to weigh approximately 100 mg (as measured by gently compacting the required volume into an adapted syringe) was placed into the conjunctival sac of the right eye /of New Zealand White rabbits/, formed by gently pulling the lower lid away from the eyeball. The upper and lower eyelids were held together for about one second immediately after application, to prevent loss of the test material, and then released. The left eye remained untreated and was used for control purposes. /The Draize scale was used to score results/. Diffuse corneal opacity was noted in the treated eye one hour after treatment with translucent corneal opacity noted at the 24-hour observation. Iridial inflammation was noted in the treated eye one hour after treatment and at the 24-hour observation. Moderate conjunctival irritation was noted in the treated eye one hour after treatment with severe conjunctival irritation at the 24-hour observation. Petechial hemorrhage of the nictitating membrane was noted in the treated eye one hour after treatment. Hemorrhage of the nictitating membrane and conjunctival membranes of upper and lower eyelids was noted at the 24-hour observation. The nictitating membrane appeared pale and the pupil abnormally small at this time. Due to showing signs of pain and discomfort (i.e. holding head to one side and abnormally quiet) the animal was killed for humane reasons after the 24-hour observation, in accordance with company policy and current UK Home Office guidelines. /It was concluded that dipotassium hexafluorozirconate/ is considered to cause serious damage to the eyes of rabbits.

According to the 2012 TSCA Inventory Update Reporting data, 3 reporting facilities estimated the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in manufacturing, processing, or use of zirconium potassium fluoride in the United States may be as high as <10 workers; the data may be greatly underestimated due to confidential business information (CBI) or unknown values(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 20,138 workers (1,506 of these were female) were potentially exposed to zirconium potassium fluoride in the US(1). Occupational exposure to zirconium potassium fluoride may occur through inhalation of dust and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where zirconium potassium fluoride is produced or used(SRC).

According to the 2012 TSCA Inventory Update Reporting data, 3 reporting facilities estimated the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in manufacturing, processing, or use of zirconium potassium fluoride in the United States may be as high as <10 workers; the data may be greatly underestimated due to confidential business information (CBI) or unknown values(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 20,138 workers (1,506 of these were female) were potentially exposed to zirconium potassium fluoride in the US(1). Occupational exposure to zirconium potassium fluoride may occur through inhalation of dust and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where zirconium potassium fluoride is produced or used(SRC).

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.