International Chemical Safety Cards

THORIUM ICSC: 0337

THORIUM
Th
Atomic mass: 232.0
CAS # 7440-29-1
RTECS # XO6400000
ICSC # 0337
UN # 2975
TYPES OF
HAZARD/
EXPOSURE 		ACUTE HAZARDS/
SYMPTOMS 		PREVENTION FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE Highly flammable.
NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking. NO contact with hot surfaces.
Special powder, dry sand, NO other agents.
EXPLOSION Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air.
Do NOT expose to friction or shock. Prevent deposition of dust; closed system, dust explosion-protected electrical equipment and lighting.
In case of fire: keep drums, etc. cool by spraying with water but NO direct contact with water.
EXPOSURE
PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! AVOID ALL CONTACT! AVOID EXPOSURE OF (PREGNANT) WOMEN!
IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!
  • INHALATION
    		• Cough ; symptoms of delayed effects: see Notes.
    		Closed system and ventilation.
    		Fresh air, rest, artificial respiration if indicated, and refer for medical attention.
  • SKIN
    		• Redness, roughness.
    		Protective gloves, protective clothing.
    		Remove contaminated clothes, rinse and then wash skin with water and soap, and refer for medical attention. Use radiation detector to ensure no remaining contamination.
  • EYES
    		• Redness, pain.
    		Face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.

  • INGESTION
    		• Symptoms of delayed effects: see Notes.
    		Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
    		Rinse mouth, induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!), and refer for medical attention.
    SPILLAGE DISPOSAL STORAGE PACKAGING & LABELLING
    Evacuate danger area, consult an expert, sweep spilled substance intocontainer, carefully collect remainder, then remove to safe place, (extra personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus).
    		Fireproof; separated from strong oxidants, strong acids; cool; keep in a well-ventilated room,
    		Unbreakable packaging; put breakable packaging into closed unbreakable container.
    UN Haz Class: 7
    UN Subsidiary Risks: 4.2 (Special Provisions: 173)
    SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK
    ICSC: 0337 Prepared in the context of cooperation between the IPCS and the Commission of the European Communities © CEC, IPCS, 1988. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and IDLH values.

    International Chemical Safety Cards

    THORIUM ICSC: 0337

    I
    M
    P
    O
    R
    T
    A
    N
    T

    D
    A
    T
    A
    PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE
     GRAYISH-WHITE, LUSTROUS METAL;SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS.

    PHYSICAL DANGERS:
     Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed with air. If dry, it can be charged electrostatically by swirling, pneumatic transport, pouring, etc.

    CHEMICAL DANGERS:
     Heating may cause violent combustion or explosion. May explosively decompose on shock, friction, or concussion. On combustion, formstoxic fumes. Reactsviolentlywithstrongoxidants. causing fire and explosion hazard.

    OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
     TLV not established
    PDK:0.05mg/m3(USSR1984)


    		ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
     The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin, andby ingestion.

    ACUTE INHALATION RISK:
     Evaporation at 20°C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached fast.

    EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
     The substance irritates the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. Inhalation ofthe vapour or aerosolmay causedamage to the bone and lung. The substance may cause effects onblood forming system , resulting inpernicious anaemia. The effects may be delayed(see Notes). Medical observation is indicated.

    EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
     Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Risk of affection of the lungs upon repeated or prolonged exposure tothe dust. This substance is carcinogenic to humans. May cause heritable genetic damage. May cause birth defects.
    PHYSICAL
    PROPERTIES
    Boiling point: about 4000°C
    Melting point: 1842°C
    Relative density (water = 1): 11.7
    		 Solubility in water: none
    Auto-ignition temperature: 130°C
    ENVIRONMENTAL
    DATA
    NOTES
    Depending on degree of exposure, estimation of dose received may be required by whole body counting technics. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is indicated. This material and its decay products are radioactive. Storage in a poorly ventilated area may result in a buildup of gaseous radioactive decay products. Prolonged retention in the body leads to long term a-irradiation of the tissues. May result in changes in the blood-forming, nervous and reticulo-endothelial systems, and functional and morphological damage to lung and bone. Do NOT take work clothing homewards.
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


    ICSC: 0337 THORIUM
    © CEC, IPCS, 1988
    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 IDLH values.