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Chemical Name: Ferrous Carbonate
Synonyms: Iron(II) carbonate, Siderite
Chemical Formula: FeCO3
CAS Number: 563-71-3
Product Uses: Used in ceramics, pigments, supplements, water treatment, and as a raw material in various industrial processes.
Manufacturer Information: Information frequently found on the label or product documentation provides contact details for reporting emergencies or seeking technical assistance.
Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS. Dust can irritate eyes, lungs, and skin. Risk of iron overload with repeated ingestion.
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation of dust can irritate the respiratory tract. Eye and skin contact may cause redness or itching. Swallowing large amounts may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and iron poisoning. No evidence for carcinogenic effects available.
Label Elements: Warning symbol for respiratory and eye irritation. Non-toxic symbol, but caution advised for children and pregnant individuals.
Emergency Overview: Powder often pale green. Dust poses minimal reactivity, but long-term exposure to small particles can provoke health concerns.
Substance: Ferrous Carbonate
Purity: Typically above 95% FeCO3, small impurity traces possible depending on source and production method.
Impurities: May contain minor levels of magnesium, calcium, or silicates in naturally occurring mineral samples.
Component Range: Main component (FeCO3) covers nearly the entire product content in refined batches used for industry.
Inhalation: Move the person outside or to an area with fresh air. Allow for deep, slow breathing. If coughing persists, seek medical care.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, removing contaminated clothing. Longer skin contact can lead to mild irritation for sensitive individuals.
Eye Contact: Rinse with copious water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart. If vision changes or irritation continues, follow up with medical attention.
Ingestion: If swallowed, rinse mouth. Consult with a healthcare professional, particularly for large amounts. Risk of iron toxicity rises with significant ingestion, especially for children.
Flammability: Ferrous carbonate itself does not burn, but packaging or surrounding materials may fuel a fire.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO2 extinguishers on adjacent burning materials. Smothering techniques also apply in case of dust cloud ignition.
Special Hazards from Fire: Thermal decomposition can release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and iron oxides into the air if exposed to intense heat.
Fire-Fighting Equipment: Firefighters should wear standard protective clothes and a self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhalation of any released gases or dust.
Personal Precautions: Use dust masks, gloves, and safety glasses while cleaning up. Limit unnecessary traffic through spill area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains or surface water systems. Sweep up into appropriate waste containers, avoiding dusty conditions.
Clean-up Methods: Shovel into suitable disposal containers. For finer material, vacuuming with HEPA filters provides better control, and water mist helps keep dust under control. Ventilate the area to reduce airborne concentrations.
Safe Handling: Minimize dust formation by gentle transfer and use in well-ventilated areas. Wear protective gloves; avoid touching face or eyes. Store away from acids and oxidizers.
Storage Requirements: Keep containers tightly closed and in a cool, dry, well-ventilated environment. Avoid moisture exposure, which may cause caking or chemical transformation.
Special Notes: Use containers made of compatible materials like polyethylene or glass. Rotate stock to prevent long-term product degradation.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific limits for ferrous carbonate, but ACGIH suggests respirable particulate matter below 3 mg/m3 (respirable fraction), OSHA total dust limit at 15 mg/m3.
Engineering Controls: Apply local exhaust ventilation or general room ventilation to keep dust concentrations low.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Dust masks or N95 respirators, safety goggles for eye protection, gloves resistant to powders, and standard work coveralls for skin coverage. In high dust settings, apply face shields and change clothing after handling.
Appearance: Fine, pale green or yellowish powder; can appear as small crystals.
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting above 250°C, releasing carbon dioxide.
Solubility: Sparingly soluble in water; more soluble in acids.
pH Value: Suspension in water is slightly alkaline.
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes with heat.
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature.
Density: 3.9 g/cm3 (approximate)
Other Properties: Not volatile, chemically stable in unopened containers under ordinary conditions.
Chemical Stability: Stable under average storage scenarios.
Reactive Conditions: Reacts with strong acids, releasing carbon dioxide and soluble iron salts. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Elevated temperatures can cause decomposition into iron oxides and gases including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur.
Acute Toxicity: Oral toxicity in laboratory animals shows low acute hazard, but chronic or massive ingestion may provoke iron overload disorders in humans.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion.
Chronic Effects: Chronic ingestion of high iron compounds can result in stomach and liver issues.
Symptoms of Overexposure: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and, with severe ingestion, shock.
Carcinogenicity: No human data connects ferrous carbonate with carcinogenic activity.
Other Data: No known mutagenic, teratogenic, or reproductive toxic effects found in available animal studies.
Mobility: Low, tends to bind soils and sediments.
Persistence and Degradability: Chemically stable, converts slowly to iron oxides in moist environments.
Bioaccumulation: Not anticipated in aquatic organisms.
Aquatic Toxicity: Large amounts may disrupt aquatic ecosystems by altering water chemistry.
Environmental Impact: Not considered hazardous to land plants or small animals in routine concentrations, but iron accumulation in specific ecosystems could negatively impact local biota.
Waste Handling: Manage as a non-hazardous industrial waste unless contaminated by other hazardous materials.
Disposal Methods: Place material in sealed, labeled waste containers for landfill disposal as permitted by regional regulations. Avoid introducing large amounts into waterways.
Container Disposal: Empty containers should be rinsed, then recycled or discarded following local municipal guidelines for non-toxic chemical containers.
UN Number: Not regulated for transport.
Shipping Name: Ferrous Carbonate
Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous material for shipping by road, air, or sea.
Packing Group: Not applicable.
Special Precautions during Transport: Package tightly to prevent rupture; keep dry to avoid caking and clumping. Spill control materials should be available in case of accidental release in transit.
Regulatory Status: Not listed as a federally controlled substance. Not subject to major international chemical restrictions.
Labelling Requirements: Labels should list product name, hazard warnings, manufacturer, and emergency contact.
OSHA Status: Listed as a nuisance dust. Monitor dust exposure in the workplace and adhere to recommended exposure limits.
Environmental Regulations: Ensure compliance with local and regional rules for disposal and spill prevention. Supplemental hazard labels may apply depending on specific end use and packaging.
Other Regulations: Check state or regional worker safety, community right-to-know, and transportation regulations as practices may vary.
