Knowledge
Ferrous Chloride Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
1. Identification
Product Name: Ferrous Chloride
Chemical Formula: FeCl2
CAS Number: 7758-94-3
Synonyms: Iron(II) chloride, Iron dichloride
Recommended Uses: Water treatment, chemical synthesis, dye manufacturing, wastewater purification, laboratory reagent
Supplier: Manufacturer or distributor contact information varies by region; refer to local documentation.
2. Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Oral) Category 4, Skin corrosion/irritation Category 2, Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Category 2A, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT) Single Exposure
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation
Symbol/Pictogram: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Wash thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection, avoid breathing dust or fumes, use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
3. Composition / Information on Ingredients
Substance: Ferrous Chloride
Concentration: 96-100% (depending on purity source)
Impurities: Trace amounts of iron(III) chloride, water, other chlorides may be present
Molecular Weight: 126.75 g/mol
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest, get medical attention if symptoms develop such as coughing or difficulty breathing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, get medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, get medical help right away due to risk of gastrointestinal injury and possible toxicity
Most Important Symptoms: Burning sensation, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, redness or blistering on skin or eyes, irritation of mucous membranes
5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or appropriate foam for surroundings (substance is non-combustible but can release toxic fumes)
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: No known incompatibilities with extinguishing media
Hazards from Combustion: Releases hydrogen chloride and iron oxides when heated to decomposition
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Instructions: Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, or combustion gases, contain runoff to prevent environmental contamination
6. Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, provide adequate ventilation, wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles and protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering drains, waterways or soil to minimize environmental impact, contain spillage if possible
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material such as sand or vermiculite, collect in sealed containers for disposal, wash spill area with plenty of water, ventilate thoroughly
7. Handling and Storage
Handling: Minimize dust generation and accumulation, avoid breathing dust or fumes, keep containers tightly closed when not in use, use tools and equipment that do not generate sparks or static discharge, always handle in well-ventilated area, wash hands thoroughly before breaks and after handling
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers and acids, avoid moisture to prevent hydrolysis or corrosion, use containers made of corrosion-resistant material, check storage conditions regularly for evidence of leaks or damage, isolate from food and drink
8. Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific TLV/PEL for ferrous chloride; limit exposure based on general nuisance dust levels (OSHA PEL: 15 mg/m3 total dust, 5 mg/m3 respirable dust)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below recommended limits, install emergency eyewash stations and safety showers in work area
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat or coveralls, safety glasses or face shield, approved dust respirator if exposure may exceed limits, avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing, wash contaminated PPE before reuse
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Pale green to yellowish-brown crystals or powder, sometimes in solution
Odor: Slight acid-like or metallic odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Acidic when dissolved in water
Melting Point: 677 °C (1250.6 °F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, releases heat and forms acidic solution
Density: 2.9 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Very low at ambient temperature
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
10. Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, absorbs moisture from air, hydrolyzes forming hydrochloric acid
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizers, acids, and alkalis; contact with water leads to acidic solutions
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride fumes, iron oxides
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Corrosive to metals, can produce heat and gas on contact with incompatible materials, avoid mixing with strong acids or oxidizers
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, exposure to moisture, contact with incompatible chemicals
11. Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 450 mg/kg (variable based on source); can cause burning of mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes irritation, may cause burns or dermatitis on prolonged contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Risk of serious eye injury, pain, redness, watering, possibly vision impairment
Respiratory Irritation: Exposure to dust or fumes may cause coughing, irritation of nose and throat, difficulty breathing
Sensitization: Not established as sensitizer
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure may cause iron overload (hemosiderosis), possible liver, spleen, or pancreatic effects in laboratory studies
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP or OSHA
12. Ecological Information
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Moderate acute toxicity; can harm fish and aquatic invertebrates at elevated concentrations; estimated LC50 (fish, 96h): 100 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic salt, does not degrade biologically, ions persist in environment
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to bioaccumulate significantly, iron is naturally regulated in organisms
Mobility in Soil: Mobile in soil, soluble in water, may migrate to groundwater
Other Hazards: Can reduce dissolved oxygen in water bodies, disrupts aquatic ecosystems in large releases
13. Disposal Considerations
Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations, consult authorized waste contractor
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse empty containers before disposal, avoid reuse for unrelated purposes
Precautions: Avoid release to the environment, do not pour into drains, use authorized hazardous waste collection
Notes: Small quantities can be neutralized with alkaline materials under controlled conditions with appropriate safety measures
14. Transport Information
UN Number: UN 1759
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive solids, n.o.s. (Ferrous chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III (minor danger)
Transport Labels: Corrosive, appropriate hazard labels required on packaging
Special Transport Precautions: Keep packaging intact, avoid contact with incompatible cargo, follow institutional and international guidelines for handling hazardous materials
15. Regulatory Information
US Regulations: Subject to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, listed under SARA Title III Section 313 where reporting is required for certain facilities
EU Regulations: Classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, safety data sheet should be supplied to users
Other Regional Requirements: Regulations may apply under Canadian WHMIS, Australian Work Health and Safety guidelines, and similar standards worldwide
Labelling Requirements: Must include hazard pictogram, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, supplier info
Inventory Listings: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), and related global chemical inventories
