Material Safety Data Sheet: Uranyl Acetate

Identification

Product Name: Uranyl Acetate
Chemical Formula: C4H6O6U
CAS Number: 6159-44-0
Recommended Uses: Electron microscopy stain, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer Information: Provided by laboratory supply companies, including address and emergency contact numbers
Synonyms: Uranyl diacetate, uranium acetate

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Acute toxicity, serious eye damage, carcinogenic, hazardous to aquatic life
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Highly toxic if inhaled, swallowed, or contacted with skin. Suspected of causing cancer. May cause genetic defects. Harmful to aquatic organisms, causing long-term effects.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or vapor. Wash thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gear. Avoid release to the environment. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Immediate Symptoms: Irritation, burns, systemic toxicity, nausea, renal effects

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Uranyl Acetate
PURITY: Typically >98%
CAS Number: 6159-44-0
Other Components: Water of crystallization in hydrate forms
Proportion: 100% (single-ingredient substance)

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Seek immediate medical advice. Remove contaminated clothing.
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air. Provide oxygen if breathing is labored. Give artificial respiration if not breathing. Seek urgent medical help.
Skin Contact: Flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. Get medical attention promptly.
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes, lifting eyelids. Obtain medical care without delay.
Ingestion: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth, seek urgent medical care.
Most Important Symptoms: Burns, nausea, vomiting, kidney damage, irradiation effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Avoid water jets directly on the material as dust may be dispersed
Hazardous Combustion Products: Uranium oxides, toxic and corrosive fumes may be released
Protective Equipment: Full protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Move containers from fire area if safe to do so. Prevent contamination of water sources.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Eliminate sources of ignition. Evacuate area. Wear respiratory protection, gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry of material into sewers, drains, soil, and waterways.
Clean-up Methods: Carefully sweep, scoop, or vacuum up spilled material and transfer to a suitable container for disposal. Avoid generating dust. Ventilate area thoroughly.
Decontamination: Wash the area with copious amounts of water. Dispose of as radioactive waste where appropriate.
Reference to Other Sections: For disposal, see relevant regulatory and waste management guidance

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use within a certified fume hood. Avoid dust formation. Do not breathe dust, vapor, mist. Wash hands before breaks and after use. Keep away from food and beverages.
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, and lockable area. Segregate from incompatible materials such as strong acids and reducing agents. Guard against moisture and physical damage.
Specific Storage Requirements: Store as radioactive material. Label areas and containers clearly. Keep security access restricted to trained personnel.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Uranium (as soluble compounds): 0.2 mg/m³ TWA (ACGIH)
Engineering Controls: Work in certified chemical fume hoods or with local exhaust ventilation. Use remote handling techniques where possible.
Personal Protective Equipment: Impermeable gloves (nitrile or neoprene), lab coat, chemical splash goggles, face shield, and, for large quantities or potential spills, respirator (approved for radioactive particulates)
Environmental Controls: Use secondary containment. Regularly monitor area for radioactivity. Emergency shower and eyewash stations should be available in immediate vicinity.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Crystalline solid or powder
Color: Yellow, greenish-yellow color
Odor: Slight acetic odor
Molecular Weight: 424.14 g/mol (hydrated forms may vary)
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohols, slightly soluble in acetone
pH: Acidic (aqueous solution)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Density: Approximately 3.6 g/cm³ (as trihydrate)

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture, exposure to reducing agents, acids, ignition sources
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong reducing agents, flammable substances
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Uranium oxides, acetic acid vapors, and possibly other toxic gases
Polymerization: No risk of hazardous polymerization under normal conditions

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Highly hazardous to health through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. LD50 (oral, rat): 0.5 mg/kg (as uranium compounds, indicative value).
Corrosive and Irritant Effects: Severe burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Chronic Effects: Damages kidneys, increases cancer risk, may impair fertility, and cause genetic mutations.
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, respiratory tract, digestive system
Carcinogenic Status: Classified by IARC as Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans).
Target Organs: Kidneys, bones, liver, lungs
Symptoms of Overexposure: Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, renal failure, weakness, pain

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life. LC50 (fish): <1 mg/L.
Persistence and Degradability: Persists in environment, bioaccumulates in aquatic organisms.
Mobility in Soil: Leaches in soil; contaminates groundwater and surface water.
Bioaccumulation: Accumulates in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, enters food chains.
Effects on Wildlife: Chronic toxicity, malformation, reproductive impairment in aquatic and terrestrial species.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of as regulated radioactive and hazardous waste in accordance with all local, regional, and national regulations. Do not discharge to the environment.
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate if possible; otherwise, treat as hazardous radioactive waste.
Special Precautions: Authorized waste contractors must handle and process. Document and track all material disposal activities.
Additional Notes: Segregate from non-radioactive waste. Prevent any accidental mixing or unauthorized disposal.

Transport Information

UN Number: 2979
Proper Shipping Name: Radioactive material, uranium compound, n.o.s.
Transport Class: Class 7 (Radioactive Material)
Packing Group: Appropriate group for radioactive substances
Labeling Requirements: Radioactive label, toxic substance warning, hazard class information visible on outer packaging
Transport Precautions: Secure containers during transport. Only trained, authorized personnel should handle shipment.
Regulatory References: Compliance with IAEA, ADR, DOT, IMDG, and ICAO regulations required.

Regulatory Information

U.S. Regulations: Strictly regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Environmental Protection Agency, subject to reporting and handling restrictions.
EU Regulations: Listed in REACH Annex XIV (Authorization), subject to restrictions for substances of very high concern (SVHC).
Other International Regulations: Monitored under IAEA conventions and national agencies responsible for nuclear safety and environmental controls.
Workplace Requirements: User licensing, labeling, recordkeeping, dosimetry, personnel training, regular health and contamination monitoring.
Environmental Protection: Release and disposal tightly controlled, reporting of spills mandated by law.