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NIOSH

TANTALUM

ICSC: 1596

Ta
Atomic mass: 180.9
(powder)
ICSC # 1596 		CAS # 7440-25-7
RTECS # WW5505000
UN # 3089
October 20, 2005 Validated

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE

ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS

PREVENTION

FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Combustible. Dry tantalum powder may spontaneously ignite on contact with air.
NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking.
Dry powder. Dry sand. Special powder. NO carbon dioxide,foam,water.
EXPLOSION Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air.
Prevent deposition of dust; closed system, dust explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting.
In case of fire: cool drums, etc., by spraying with water but avoid contact of the substance with water.
EXPOSURE
PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST!

•INHALATION Cough.
Avoid inhalation of dust.
Fresh air, rest.
•SKIN
Protective gloves.
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.
•EYES Redness.
Safety spectacles .
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION
Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
Rinse mouth.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Remove all ignition sources. Personal protection: P1 filter respirator for inert particles. Cover the spilled material with inert absorbent. Vacuum spilled material, then remove to safe place.
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and halogens .
Airtight.
UN Hazard Class: 4.1
UN Packing Group: II
ICSC: 1596 Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

TANTALUM

ICSC: 1596

I

M

P

O

R

T

A

N

T


D

A

T

A

PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
BLACK SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS

PHYSICAL DANGERS:
Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed with air.

CHEMICAL DANGERS:
Reacts with halogens and oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV: 5 mg/m3 as TWA; (ACGIH 2005).
MAK: (Inhalable fraction) 4 mg/m3; (Respirable fraction) 1.5 mg/m3; (DFG 2005).
OSHA PEL: TWA 5 mg/m3
NIOSH REL: TWA 5 mg/m3 ST 10 mg/m3
NIOSH IDLH: 2500 mg/m3 (as Ta) See: IDLH INDEX


ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:


INHALATION RISK:
A nuisance-causing concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
May cause mechanical irritation.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Boiling point: 5425°C
Melting point: 2996°C
Density: 14.5
g/cm3
Solubility in water:
none
Flash point: >250°C

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA


N O T E S

Combustion in a confined space may turn into detonation.
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-41GF3-II+III

NFPA Code: H1; F3; R1;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



ICSC: 1596 TANTALUM
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.
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