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Product Name: Ferric Chloride
Chemical Name: Iron(III) Chloride
Synonyms: Iron trichloride, Ferric trichloride
CAS Number: 7705-08-0
Recommended Use: Water treatment, etching of metals, sewage treatment, laboratory reagent
Supplier: Industrial chemical distributors, water treatment facilities
Emergency Contact: Refer to local or national emergency response numbers
Classification: Corrosive to metals, serious eye damage, skin irritation
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if inhaled or swallowed, may corrode metals
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Corrosive, Health Hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid skin and eye contact, use protective gear, work in well-ventilated areas
Chemical Ingredient: Ferric Chloride (Iron(III) Chloride)
Concentration: Usually found as 40–45% aqueous solution or anhydrous solid
Other Components: Water (for solution), trace metal impurities may exist depending on source
Impurities: Inorganic chlorides, trace heavy metals sometimes present
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, if breathing becomes difficult administer oxygen, seek medical attention fast
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin under running water for 15 minutes, do not rub, get medical attention for burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses, seek urgent medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water or milk if person is alert, get emergency medical aid without delay
General Advice: Symptoms like burning, redness, coughing, blurring of vision call for urgent medical review
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Specific Hazards: Releases hydrogen chloride and chlorine gases at high temperatures, corrosive mists may form
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit
Explosion Data: Not flammable, but reacts violently with some metals to form hydrogen gas
Special Precautions: Cool containers with water spray to prevent rupture, avoid runoff into waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, use appropriate PPE—chemical goggles, gloves, acid-resistant clothing
Spill Cleanup: Contain spillage, neutralize with lime or sodium bicarbonate, absorb with inert material such as sand, shovel into chemical waste container
Environmental Precautions: Block entry into waterways, drains, soil and vegetation, notify authorities if large releases occur
Methods for Cleaning Up: Sweep up solid spills or pump liquid spills into suitable containers, wash spill site after material pickup is complete
Handling: Use only in designated chemical work areas, wear suitable acid-resistant gloves and goggles, handle in fume hoods if possible
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, well-ventilated area, keep away from incompatible materials such as alkaline substances and metals, store in corrosion-resistant containers tightly closed
Unsuitable Storage Materials: Avoid unlined metals, avoid wood shelving
Incompatible Products: Avoid contact with acids, metals, reducing agents as hazardous reactions may occur
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³ (as iron salts, soluble)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation and enclosures, ensure safety showers and eyewash stations are available
Personal Protective Equipment: Acid-resistant gloves, chemical splash goggles, face shield, protective clothing, rubber boots
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator in case of high vapor concentrations
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, remove contaminated clothing before entering public areas, avoid eating or drinking in chemical storage or handling areas
Appearance: Dark brown to greenish-black crystalline solid or yellowish brown liquid
Odor: Slightly pungent, chlorine-like
Molecular Weight: 162.2 g/mol
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Melting Point: 306°C (anhydrous solid)
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, exothermically reacts
Density: About 1.82 g/cm³ (solution), 2.9 g/cm³ (solid)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 20°C (solution)
pH: Strongly acidic (less than 1 in solution)
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable to solid
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Viscosity: Varies with concentration
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with water to form heat and hydrochloric acid mist, reacts violently with metals, strong bases, and many organics
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas, iron oxides
Incompatible Materials: Metals, organic materials, alkalis, finely powdered metals
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin, LD50 (oral, rat): 900 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Severe burns, tissue destruction, blisters
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Severe irritation, permanent eye damage possible
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Not expected to cause sensitization, but inhalation can lead to cough, sore throat, long-term exposure can cause bronchitis
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may lead to liver and kidney damage due to iron overload
Other Health Effects: Gastrointestinal ulcers, mouth and throat burns if ingested in significant quantities
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms due to acidity and chlorine content
Persistence and Degradability: Dissociates in water, not expected to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, acidifies soils, may harm plants
Bioaccumulation: Iron does not bioaccumulate significantly in aquatic life
Other Adverse Effects: Large releases harm aquatic ecosystems by pH shift, chlorine toxicity
Waste Disposal Methods: Treat with excess lime, neutralize to basic pH, collect resulting sludge for hazardous waste disposal
Container Handling: Triple rinse empty containers, puncture before disposal, follow local hazardous waste regulations
Special Precautions: Do not allow into natural waters, avoid landfill unless fully neutralized, consult environmental agency for guidance
Regulatory Info: May require EPA hazardous waste number (D002 corrosive waste)
UN Number: UN 2582 (liquid), UN 1773 (solid)
Proper Shipping Name: Ferric Chloride Solution or Ferric Chloride, Anhydrous
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: III (solution), II (solid)
Labels: Corrosive, Environmental hazard
Special Precautions: Secure upright, avoid mixing with incompatible substances, ensure emergency procedures in place
OSHA: Covered under hazardous chemical regulations
TSCA: Listed on United States TSCA Inventory
SARA Title III Sec 313: Not subject to reporting under this section
EPA: Regulated as a hazardous substance in waste form (for corrosivity)
EU Regulation: Classified as hazardous under CLP regulation
Other Country Regulations: May vary, consult local chemical safety authorities
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as Class D2B (toxic), E (corrosive material)
