Indium, powder, 99.999%

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance: grey powder. Warning! Flammable solid. May cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. May cause lung damage. Target Organs: Lungs, gastrointestinal system, bone.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause eye irritation. Skin: May cause skin irritation. Ingestion: May cause irritation of the digestive tract. May cause cardiac disturbances. The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated. May cause central nervous system depression. May cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and increased salivation. Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause pulmonary edema and severe respiratory disturbances. Chronic: The lungs of rats exposed daily to In2O3 at concentrations from 24-97 mg/m3 for a total of 224 hrs showed evidence of widespread alveolar edema, which differs from the usual toxic edema fluid by being granular and containing a few alveolar phagocytes, polymorphonuclear cells, & nuclear debris. The injury was further characterized by alteration of the alveolar walls by spindle-shaped & other type cells. The lesion showed little change either during exposure or after a 12-week postexposure period, & no fibrosis resulted from the healing process. Thus, In2O3 dust uniquely produces a widespread alveolar stasis resembling alveolar proteinosis in which alveolar clearance is reduced. Associated chronic respiratory insufficiency, recurrent acute pneumonitis, or complicating infections may result in a fatal outcome.