Product Name: Iron Powder
Chemical Formula: Fe
CAS Number: 7439-89-6
Synonyms: Reduced Iron, Elemental Iron, Iron Filings
Use: Manufacturing, chemical processes, metallurgy, pyrotechnics, laboratory reagent, water purification
Supplier: Contact manufacturer's safety and emergency numbers for further details about sources and distribution
Hazard Classes: Not classified as hazardous under normal usage but presents risks associated with dust inhalation and fire hazard (infinely divided form).
Label Elements: Not required under GHS for most grades, consult local legislation.
Physical Hazards: May form flammable dust clouds, ignition possible in air, especially during processes like grinding or blending.
Health Hazards: Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation, overexposure could lead to siderosis. Direct eye contact causes mechanical irritation. Skin contact can sometimes provoke minor irritation.
Environmental Hazards: Accumulation in aquatic environments is rare, product not classed as hazardous for environment but may contribute to physical disturbance if released in bulk.
Main Ingredient: Iron, purity above 95%, may contain small quantities of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, and trace levels of other metals depending on source.
Impurities: Consistent with industrial production, refer to certificate of analysis for batch-specific details. Overall, main concern focuses on the amount of fine dust produced rather than chemical additives.
Homogeneity: Normally a consistent blend for predictable processing, but varying particle size can change hazard profile and reactivity.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, allow to breathe comfortably. Seek medical attention if cough persists, develop any respiratory distress, or symptoms such as dizziness or headache emerge.
Skin Contact: Brush off excess powder and rinse with water; no anticipated systemic danger via intact skin, but industrial hygiene recommends handwashing.
Eye Contact: Irrigate eyes thoroughly with running water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy. See a physician for persistent irritation, particles embedded in eye, or significant discomfort.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth and drink plenty of water if small amount ingested inadvertently; for intentional or large intake, seek emergency medical attention as surplus iron has known toxicity.
Acute/Delayed Symptoms: Immediate effects mainly local (respiratory or mechanical irritation), no significant delayed systemic effects expected from accidental exposure to modest quantities.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry powder extinguishers, or CO2. Do not use water on burning iron powder or molten iron; it can react and escalate fire risk through hydrogen generation.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Agents: Water, halogenated agents (risk of violent reaction with some finely divided powders).
Hazardous Combustion Products: Fumes containing iron oxides; these airborne residues represent the greatest risk during confined-space fires.
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Fight fire from maximum possible safe distance to reduce risk of dust ignition and inhalation.
Personal Precautions: Isolate area, avoid breathing dust. Ventilate affected section, wear appropriate respiratory protection if airborne particles are visible or dust is likely.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent discharge to drains, sewers, or water courses. Sweep up spilled material using non-sparking tools. Collect without creating excess dust and transfer to suitable disposal or recovery containers.
Spill Clean-up: Wet methods reduce dust (do not use water with burning powder or where exothermic reactions may occur). For large spills, trained personnel should conduct careful removal.
Decontamination: Clean floors and surfaces thoroughly to minimize slip risk and airborne dust. Disposal as per local regulations.
Safe Handling: Avoid generation and inhalation of dust. Use engineering controls in areas with high throughput, minimize friction and impact that could create sparks.
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers, store in cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Take precautions to prevent static discharge. Store away from strong acids, oxidizers, chlorinated solvents.
Specific Use Guidance: Only professionals trained in material handling should move large volumes, especially into areas with possible ignition sources or poorly controlled environmental conditions. Segregate from incompatible materials. Label clearly.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for iron oxide fume: 10 mg/m³ (as Fe). ACGIH TLV: 5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction, as Fe).
Engineering Controls: General mechanical ventilation or local exhaust recommended for process areas. Use explosion-proof equipment if dust generation cannot be minimized.
Personal Protection: Respiratory protection (N95 or better) where dust is generated. Safety glasses with side shields; goggles for bulk handling. Gloves (nitrile or similar). Protective clothing in regular industrial settings.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and contaminated skin before eating, smoking, or leaving work area. Do not bring contaminated clothing home.
Appearance: Fine, gray to black metallic powder. Sometimes granular, sometimes flake-like.
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: About 1535°C (2795°F)
Boiling Point: 3000°C (5432°F)
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Specific Gravity: 6.0 – 8.0 (depending on form and porosity)
Particle Size: Variable; can range from less than 20 microns up to 800 microns
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Flammability: Flammable as dust or particles suspended in air. Ignition temperature generally above 350°C (662°F).
Explosive Properties: Dust clouds may create explosion hazard under the right conditions, especially in enclosed areas with ignition sources present.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions. Iron will oxidize in moist environments producing rust over time.
Reactive Hazards: Reacts with strong acids with evolution of heat and hydrogen gas. Combusts in air at high temperatures, especially when finely divided.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, halogens, strong acids, moisture, especially at elevated temperatures.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Iron oxides, possible hydrogen in case of acid contact. No significant hazardous decomposition below ignition or melting temperatures.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion.
Acute Toxicity: Low (iron is not easily absorbed by skin or via inhalation).
Chronic Toxicity: Repeated excessive inhalation of dust may cause siderosis, a benign form of pneumoconiosis. Not linked to systemic poisoning at workplace exposure levels.
Symptoms: High dose ingestion can lead to systemic iron poisoning (uncommon except in misuse scenarios). Cough, irritation for inhalation at high airborne levels.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic (IARC, NTP, OSHA).
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization for majority of workers.
Aquatic Toxicity: Product does not dissolve, thus does not readily leach to groundwater or move into aquifers in normal use. Not expected to bioaccumulate.
Persistence and Degradability: Chemically persistent in environment in bulk, slowly oxidizes to iron oxides in soils and water.
Mobility in Soil: Low; sinking particles can accumulate in sediments.
Other Hazards: No known significant hazards to aquatic or terrestrial organisms at standard concentrations. Report large spills to local authorities in accordance with environmental safety laws.
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose via approved industrial metal recycling wherever practical. Non-recyclable waste: Landfill in accordance with local regulations. Avoid landfill of powder that could become airborne.
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers can retain residues and should be processed as hazardous unless cleaned thoroughly.
Prevent Release: All handling and disposal activities need careful dust control to prevent atmospheric release or waterway contamination.
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods under most bulk or packaged transport conditions.
UN Proper Shipping Name: Iron Powder
Transport Hazard Class: Usually not classified for road, rail, sea, or air transport; check regional requirements for quantities over threshold for dust-forming materials.
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Ensure containers are secure, dry, and adequately labeled. Prevent dust release during loading and unloading.
Environmental Hazards in Transit: None known under normal transport but always double-check for regulations on reactive metals and fine particulates.
Labelling Requirements: Product labels reflect content, hazards, batch information and traceability requirements as per local and international standards.
OSHA Regulation: Iron oxide dust regulated as nuisance particulate. Listed in US TSCA inventory.
REACH Status (EU): Iron metal is a registered substance, subject to supply and use tracking rules for bulk movements.
Inventory Status: Registered under national chemical inventories (TSCA, DSL, EINECS, MITI, AICS).
Other Regulatory Listings: No SARA Title III classification for standard forms, not listed as a hazardous air pollutant, waste, or restricted in trade except for high-dust or fine particle forms.
