Lithium hydride

H260 (99.5%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

H301 (82.4%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H314 (100%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]

H318 (60.4%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P280, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 182 reports by companies from 6 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

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.

H228: Flammable solid [Danger Flammable solids]

H260: In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

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

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

H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]

H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H362: May cause harm to breast-fed children [Reproductive toxicity, effects on or via lactation]

H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]

H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

P203, P210, P223, P231+P232, P240, P241, P260, P261, P263, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P308+P316, P316, P317, P318, P319, P320, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H331: Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H371: May cause damage to organs [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]

P203, P223, P231+P232, P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P308+P316, P316, P317, P318, P321, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

P203, P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P308+P316, P316, P317, P318, P320, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Put clothes in sealable container. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention .

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Warning: Lithium hydride is an alkaline-corrosive agent. Contact with eyes may result in severe damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, and blood vessels. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Lithium Hydride Exposure: Acute exposure to lithium hydride may result in irritation and burning of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Increased salivation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), abdominal pain, and spontaneous vomiting may occur. Stridor (high-pitched, noisy respirations), dyspnea (shortness of breath), and pulmonary edema are also common. Apathy and mental confusion may develop, with progression to coma and death.Emergency Life Support Procedures: Acute exposure to lithium hydride may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:

1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to lithium hydride.

2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.

3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:

1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to lithium hydride.

3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.

4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes.

5. Wash exposed skin areas for at least 15 minutes with water.

6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:

1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.

2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!

4. Activated charcoal is of no value.

5. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.

6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

General First Aid:

· Call 911 or emergency medical service.

· Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.

· Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.

· Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

· If victim is not breathing:

-- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.

-- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).

-- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.

· Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.

· For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

· In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

· For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.

· Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.

· Keep victim calm and warm.

· Keep victim under observation.

Wear protective goggles or face shield, rubberized gloves, flame-proof outer clothing, respirator, and high boots or shoes. Large fires: withdraw from area and let fire burn, as lithium hydride may continue to re-ignite. A fire, once started, cannot be extinguished by ordinary methods.

Do not use water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or halogenated extinguishing agents such as carbon tetrachloride. Use dry graphite; or ground dolomite-based dry chemical extinguishers such as "Lith-X". Fires may be smothered by inverting a can over them. (EPA, 1998)

NO hydrous agents, foam, carbon dioxide. Use inert gas, dry sand, special powder.

Use approved Class D extinguishers or smother with dry sand, dry clay, or dry ground limestone. Do not use carbon dioxide or halogenated extinguishing agents. Do NOT use water. Violent reaction may result.

A fire once started cannot be extinguished by ordinary methods; smothering by dolomite powder is recommended.

Fires should be extinguished with dry chemicals; "Lith-X," the trademark for a graphite-base dry chemical extinguishing agent, is available for such fires.

Dry nitrogen, graphite, or lithium chloride. Never use water, foam, halogenated hydrocarbons, soda acid, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not use water. Do not use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Use graphite, soda ash or powdered sodium chloride. /Lithium hydride; lithium hydride in fused solid form/

May decompose when hot to form flammable hydrogen gas. Reacts violently with water to produce hydrogen, which may explode in air.

May ignite spontaneously in air and may reignite after fire is extinguished. Reacts with water to form hydrogen and lithium hydroxide.

Corrosive ... Water reactive ... Evolves hydrogen and ignites on contact with water.

The principal physical property of lithium hydrides important to their safe handling is the large amount of hydrogen contained in a relatively small volume. Two g of lithium hydride treated with water will liberate 200 cu ft of hydrogen. ... In the handling of lithium hydrides, water in any form must be eliminated. ... Chief hazards in handling are dust production, static electricity, and fire.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Keep unauthorized personnel away.

· Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.

· Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

· Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

· Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.

· DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

Small Spill

· Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

· Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

Powder Spill

· Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry.

· DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

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.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

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)

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.

Large Spill

· Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

· 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.

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Cover the spilled material with dry powder.

Wearing butyl rubber gloves, fireproof clothing, face shield and goggles, cover spill with sand. Transfer mixture into a dry plastic bag filled in advance with an inert gas. Carry outdoors for incineration. After burning (if not in a proper incinerator), sprinkle water on the residue for complete destruction. Alternatively, in the fume hood, add butanol slowly to the solid mixture until the reaction ceases. Then carefully add water until all the hydride is destroyed. Let stand until solid settles.

Keep water away from release. Shovel into suitable dry container.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. 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 soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

Lithium hydride is pyrophoric and should be maintained and handled out of contact with air and moisture.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

The worker should immediately brush (DO NOT WASH) the skin when it becomes contaminated.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for LITHIUM HYDRIDE (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)

Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Dry. Keep under mineral oil or inert gas. Cool. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Must be stored in a dry location. Immediately remove and properly dispose of any spilled material.

Protect containers against physical damage. Store in a well-ventilated, cool and dry place. isolated from residential quarters. Keep water from entering in storage area.

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE.

· Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.

0.025 [mg/m3]

0.10 [mg/m3]

3.0 [mg/m3]

0.025 mg/m³

TWA 0.025 mg/m3

0.02 [mg/m3]

0.5 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: Human data: It has been recommended that 0.5 mg/m3 is the maximum tolerable concentration for brief periods of exposure [AIHA 1964].

0.5 mg/cu m

0.5 mg/m³

0.5 mg/m3

See: 7580678

0.05 [mg/m3], inhalable fraction

8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 0.025 mg/cu m.

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.

2014 Notice of Intended Changes (NIC): These substances, with their corresponding values and notations, comprise those for which (1) a limit is proposed for the first time, (2) a change in the Adopted value is proposed, (3) retention as an NIC is proposed, or (4) withdrawal of the Documentation and adopted TLV is proposed. In each case, the proposals should be considered trial values during the period they are on the NIC. These proposals were ratified by the ACGIH Board of Directors and will remain on the NIC for approximately one year following this ratification. If the Committee neither finds nor receives any substantive data that changes its scientific opinion regarding an NIC TLV, the Committee may then approve its recommendation to the ACGIH Board of Directors for adoption. If the Committee finds or receives substantive data that change its scientific opinion regarding an NIC TLV, the Committee may change its recommendation to the ACGIH Board of Directors for the matter to be either retained on or withdrawn from the NIC. Substance: Lithium hydride; Time Weighted Avg (TWA): None; Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): Ceiling limit 0.05 mg/cu m, Inhalable fraction; Notations: None; Molecular Weight: 7.95; TLV Basis: Respiratory tract and eye irritation.

(inhalable fraction): 0.05 mg/m

0.05 mg/m³ (inhalable particulate matter) [2014]

(inhalable fraction): 0.02 mg/m

· DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

Small Fire

· Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

Large Fire

· DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.

· If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

Fire Involving Metals or Powders (Aluminum, Lithium, Magnesium, etc.)

· Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see GUIDE 170.

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.

ERPG-1: 25 ug/m3 - one hour exposure limit: 1 = mild transient health effects or objectionable odor [AIHA]

ERPG-2: 100 ug/m3 - one hour exposure limit: 2 = impaired ability to take protective action [AIHA]

ERPG-3: 500 ug/m3 - one hour exposure limit: 3 = life threatening health effects [AIHA]

Australia: 0.025 mg/cu m (1990); United Kingdom: 0.025 mg/cu m (1991).

Lithium hydride appears as a white or translucent crystalline mass or powder. The commercial product is light bluish-gray lumps due to the presence of minute amounts of colloidally dispersed lithium.

Odorless, off-white to gray, translucent, crystalline mass or white powder; [NIOSH] Potent hygroscopic properties; [ACGIH]

ODOURLESS WHITE-TO-GREYISH HYGROSCOPIC SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS. TURNS DARK ON EXPOSURE TO LIGHT.

Odorless, off-white to gray, translucent, crystalline mass or white powder.

Gray cubic crystals or powder, hygroscopic

White translucent, crystalline mass or powder; commercial product is light bluish-gray due to minute amount of colloidally dispersed lithium

Cubic crystals, darkens rapidly on exposure to light

Odorless ...

Decomposes (NIOSH, 2024)

decomposes

Decomposes

1256 °F (EPA, 1998)

688.7 °C

Reacts with water (NIOSH, 2024)

Insoluble in benzene and toluene; soluble in ether

Solubility in water: reaction

0.76 to 0.77 (EPA, 1998)

0.78 g/cu cm

0.8 g/cm³

0.78 @25 °C

0 mmHg at 68 °F (EPA, 1998)

Approximately 0 mm Hg

Vapor pressure at 20 °C: negligible

0 mmHg (approx)

Darkens rapidly on exposure to light.

392 °F (USCG, 1999)

Ignition temperature: 392 °F.

Thermally unstable. Decomp at 1009 °F (400 °C).

Rapidly decomposes in water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen; 1 g in water liberates approximately 2.8 L of hydrogen at standard temperature and pressure.

Decomp pressure nil at 25 °C; 0.7 mm at 500 °C; 760 mm at approximately 850 °C; decomposed by water, forming hydrogen and lithium hydroxide

Heat of solution: -7200 Btu/lb

Standard molar enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K: -90.5 kJ/mol; molar heat capacity at constant pressure and 298.15 K: 27.9 J/mol K

Enthalpy of fusion: 22.59 kJ/mol

For more Other Experimental Properties (Complete) data for LITHIUM HYDRIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

dielectric constant

crystal structure

Debye frequency

dielectricity

enthalpy

radiation

Burns readily in air, particularly if powdered. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Reacts rapidly with water to form caustic lithium hydroxide and hydrogen [Bretherick 1979 p. 107].

Metal Hydrides, Metal Alkyls, Metal Aryls, and Silanes

Strong Reducing Agent

Water-Reactive

Pyrophoric

LITHIUM HYDRIDE is a strong reducing agent. Th esolid may decompose violently in contact with most oxidizing materials. It reacts exothermically with water to form caustic lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas; the hydrogen may ignite. May ignite spontaneously in moist air. Mixtures with liquid oxygen are explosive. Ignites on contact with dinitrogen oxide [Mellor, 1967, vol. 8, suppl. 2.2, p. 214].

Reacts with the lower alcohols, carboxylic acids, chlorine and ammonia at 400 °C to liberate hydrogen.

May ignite combustible materials if they are damp.

Spontaneous ignition occurs when nitrous oxide and lithium hydride are mixed. ... Violently decomposes with water.

Strong oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons, acids, water [Note: May ignite SPONTANEOUSLY in air and may reignite after fire is extinguished. Reacts with water to form hydrogen & lithium hydroxide].

For more Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities (Complete) data for LITHIUM HYDRIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Strong oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons, acids, water [Note: May ignite SPONTANEOUSLY in air and may reignite after fire is extinguished. Reacts with water to form hydrogen & lithium hydroxide.]

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Lithium hydride is a soft silver -white metal which reacts with water and is soluble in liquid ammonia.It is used in the manufacture of catalysts for polyolefin plastics; in fuels for aircraft, missiles. It is used in metallurgy, as degasifier, deoxidizer, desulfurizer; as grain refiner in non-ferrous metals. Used as a chemical intermediate for butyllithium polymerization catalyst; in alloys with aluminum or magnesium for aerospace uses. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Lithium hydride causes severe eye and skin burns. Industrial exposures to lithium may occur during extraction of lithium from its ores, preparation of various lithium compounds, welding, brazing, enameling, and from the use of lithium hydrides. ANIMAL STUDIES: No animal studies could be located.

Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation. Nausea. Vomiting. Shortness of breath.

Redness. Pain. Blisters. Skin burns.

Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Severe deep burns.

Sore throat. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Burning sensation. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Shock or collapse.

irritation eyes, skin; eye, skin burns; mouth, esophagus burns (if ingested); nausea; muscle twitches; mental confusion; blurred vision

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system

Dermatotoxin - Skin burns.

Toxic Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs induced by inhalation of metal fumes or toxic gases and vapors.

LCLo (rat) = 10 mg/m3/4H

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 necessary. 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 treatment ... 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 ... /Lithium and related compounds/

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 ... Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... Start IV administration of D5W /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. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... /Lithium and related compounds/

Employees should be screened for history of /the following/ medical conditions which might place the employee at increased risk from lithium hydride exposure: chronic respiratory disease ... skin disease ... eye disease. ... Any employee developing any of /these/ conditions should be referred for further medical examination.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ ... Great chemical reactivity, particularly with moisture, producing marked irritancy and corrosiveness to biologic tissues. Thus its potential health hazard is acute in nature.[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 1732]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Lithium hydride is a severe irritant of the eyes, mucous membranes, and skin due to the formation of lithium hydroxide on moist surfaces and its caustic action.[Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 1994, p. 605]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Lithium hydride causes sneezing, coughing, and severe irritation of the nose and throat. Lithium hydride can cause severe eye and skin burns. If swallowed, the mouth, trachea, and esophagus may be burned. Inadvertent ingestion of lithium hydride may cause nausea, muscle twitches, mental confusion, blurring of vision, coma, and death.[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981.]

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ In atmospheres containing 0.5 mg/cu m, the skin becomes inflamed and lacrimation occurs.[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 862]

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for LITHIUM HYDRIDE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Rats, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits were exposed at 5 to 55 mg/cu m of the dust for from 4 to 7 hours or at 5 mg/cu m for a total of 20 hours over a period of 1 week. At these conc, lithium hydride proved to be an intensely irritating and corrosive material. Concentrations in excess of 10 mg/cu m eroded the body fur and skin on the legs of the animals and produced severe inflammation and ulceration of the eyes on occasion, as well as destruction of the external nasal septum. All concentrations studied, however, proved so irritating as to cause repeated and persistent coughing and sneezing in the animals that resulted in emphysematous changes in the lungs. The trachea showed superficial sloughing of the mucosal epithelium. No delayed effects or sequelae were observed during a postexposure period of up to 5 months. ... Toxic effects demonstrated in these experiments were due to the alkalinity of the hydrolysis product of lithium hydride and in no way characteristic of the lithium ion per se.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ ... Cause irritation and inflammation in the eyes in rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs at concentration which were very irritating to the respiratory tract.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ In a study on rats, guinea pigs and rabbits no histopathology attributable to lithium hydride was found in the lung, liver, kidney, trachea or lymph nodes 2-5 months after exposure to about 5 mg Li/cu m for 5 days (average exposure 4 hours/day).

In persons with impaired pulmonary function, especially those with obstructive airway diseases, the breathing of lithium hydride might cause exacerbation of symptoms due to its irritant properties. ... Persons with pre-existing skin disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of this agent. ... Persons with pre-existing eye conditions may be at increased risk from exposure.

Industrial exposures to lithium may occur during extraction of lithium from its ores, preparation of various lithium compounds, welding, brazing, enameling, and from the use of lithium hydrides. /Lithium/

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1974) has statistically estimated that 11 workers are potentially exposed to lithium hydride in the US(1).

Industrial exposures to lithium may occur during extraction of lithium from its ores, preparation of various lithium compounds, welding, brazing, enameling, and from the use of lithium hydrides. /Lithium/

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1974) has statistically estimated that 11 workers are potentially exposed to lithium hydride in the US(1).

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. 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 soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Fire or Explosion: Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. /Lithium hydride; Lithium hydride, fused solid/

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Health: Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. /Lithium hydride; Lithium hydride, fused solid/

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. As an 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. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate the area before entry. /Lithium hydride; Lithium hydride, fused solid/

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. /Lithium hydride; Lithium hydride, fused solid/

For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for LITHIUM HYDRIDE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2805 138(fused, solid)

UN 1414; Lithium hydride

UN 2805; Lithium hydride, fused solid

IMO 4.3; Lithium hydride; lithium hydride, fused solid

49 164 24; Lithium hydride

49 164 25; Lithium hydride, fused solid form

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials. Lithium hydride and lithium hydride, fused solid are included on the dangerous goods list.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article. Lithium hydride and lithium hydride, fused solid are included on the dangerous goods list.

Dangerous When Wet

Airtight. Unbreakable packaging. Put breakable packaging into closed unbreakable container.

UN Hazard Class: 4.3; UN Pack Group: I