Scandium(III) triflate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

CHEMWATCH HAZARD RATINGS Min Max Flammability 1 Toxicity 2 Min/Nil=0 Body Contact 3 Low=1 Reactivity Moderate=2 1 High=3 Chronic 2 Extreme=4 CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS EMERGENCY OVERVIEW RISK Causes burns. Risk of serious damage to eyes.

Potential Acute Health Effects

SWALLOWED ■ The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion. ■ Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual. ■ Ingestion of acidic corrosives may produce burns around and in the mouth, the throat and oesophagus. Immediate pain and difficulties in swallowing and speaking may also be evident. ■ Lanthanide poisoning causes immediate defaecation, writhing, inco-ordination, laboured breathing, and inactivity. Respiratory and heart failure may follow causing death. EYE ■ The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapours or mists may be extremely irritating. ■ If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage. ■ Direct eye contact with acid corrosives may produce pain, tears, sensitivity to light and burns. Mild burns of the epithelia generally recover rapidly and completely. SKIN ■ The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin. ■ Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects (as classified under EC Directives); the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. ■ Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material. ■ Skin contact with acidic corrosives may result in pain and burns; these may be deep with distinct edges and may heal slowly with the formation of scar tissue. ■ Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected. ■ This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons. INHALED ■ Exposure to vapours of some rare earth salts can cause sensitivity to heat, itching, and increased sensitivity of smell and taste. Other effects include inflamed airways and lung, emphysema, regional narrowing of terminal airways and cell changes. ■ Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled. If prior damage to the circulatory or nervous systems has occurred or if kidney damage has been sustained, proper screenings should be conducted on individuals who may be exposed to further risk if handling and use of the material result in excessive exposures. ■ Corrosive acids can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, with coughing, choking and mucous membrane damage. There may be dizziness, headache, nausea and weakness. ■ The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.

Potential chronic health

■ Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term occupational exposure. Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray. Repeated or prolonged exposure to acids may result in the erosion of teeth, swelling and/or ulceration of mouth lining. Irritation of airways to lung, with cough, and inflammation of lung tissue often occurs. Chronic exposure may inflame the skin or conjunctiva.