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Product Name: Potassium Carbonate
Chemical Formula: K2CO3
CAS Number: 584-08-7
Synonyms: Dipotassium carbonate, Pearl ash
Manufacturer: Listed as per local supplier information and regulatory compliance
Recommended Use: Used in soaps, glass production, food processing, laboratory chemicals, water softening, and as a buffering agent
Emergency Contact: Refer to regional or national poison control offices for emergency numbers and treatment support
Classification: Corrosive to eyes and skin (GHS Category 2A, Skin irritant Category 2); harmful if swallowed
Label Elements: GHS pictograms (irritant, corrosive), signal word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, causes skin irritation, may be harmful if inhaled or ingested
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing; wear protective gloves and eye protection; wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product
Potential Health Effects: Eye irritation, reddening, tearing, blurred vision; skin contact leads to dryness, cracking, redness; inhalation can cause coughing, sore throat, respiratory discomfort; ingestion may bring about nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Chemical Name: Potassium Carbonate
Concentration: 98-100% pure material
CAS Number: 584-08-7
Impurities: Product may contain very low levels of potassium bicarbonate or small amounts of water, with no other hazardous substances present over 1%
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air promptly; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; if respiratory distress persists, seek medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove any contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; for persistent symptoms, consult a physician
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with large amounts of water for up to 20 minutes, keeping eyelids open; seek medical advice right away
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; obtain medical attention as soon as possible
Most Important Symptoms: Eye and mucous membrane irritation, gastrointestinal distress
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water spray, or appropriate foam
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn, but thermal decomposition may generate irritating or toxic fumes including oxides of potassium and carbon dioxide
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus, wear protective clothing and equipment to prevent contact with skin and eyes
Advice for Firefighters: Move containers away from area if safe; cool containers exposed to flame with water; avoid water runoff contaminating drains or watercourses
Personal Precautions: Keep unnecessary personnel away; wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, dust mask or respirator; prevent product from entering sewers, waterways, or confined spaces
Methods for Clean-up: Avoid raising dust; sweep up carefully and shovel into a suitable closed, labelled waste container; wash contaminated area with water; ensure adequate ventilation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage by containing the source; avoid discharge into the environment; inform relevant authorities if product enters drains, surface or groundwater
Handling: Minimize dust generation; handle with dry, clean hands, wearing appropriate protective equipment; avoid inhalation of dust and contact with eyes or skin; do not reuse empty containers before cleaning
Storage: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers away from acids, oxidizers, and moisture; keep in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place; avoid exposure to humidity or water to prevent clumping or degradation of material
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong acids, strong oxidizing agents; avoid storage near food and animal feed
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits identified; recommended to keep exposure as low as possible
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, especially in dust-generating operations; provide eyewash stations and safety showers
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing covering skin; use a dust respirator if ventilation is insufficient
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling; avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during work; launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Appearance: White, hygroscopic powder or granules
Odor: Odorless
pH (1% solution): Approximately 11.6
Melting Point: 891°C (1636°F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Solubility in Water: Readily soluble (110 g/100 mL at 20°C)
Density: 2.43 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions; may absorb moisture from air
Reactivity: Reacts exothermically with acids to liberate carbon dioxide gas; contact with moisture initiates dissolution and increases corrosivity
Hazardous Reactions: Releases heat and carbon dioxide on contact with acids; incompatible with aluminum and magnesium, which may produce hydrogen gas
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition generates potassium oxide and carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: Humid air, contact with water, acids, or strong oxidizers; avoid open flames around contaminated residues
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: May cause irritation of mucous membranes, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting if ingested; oral LD50 (rat): approximately 1870 mg/kg
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged contact may cause dermatitis or conjunctivitis; no evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity
Symptoms of Exposure: Reddening, pain, or damage to skin and eyes; respiratory discomfort, coughing, or wheezing
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system
Ecotoxicity: Toxic in large concentrations to aquatic organisms, especially due to high pH; LC50/96 hours/fish: > 68 mg/L
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility leads to rapid dissipation; leaches through soil to groundwater
Biodegradability: Not relevant, as potassium carbonate is inorganic and does not bioaccumulate
Persistence: Dissolves and dissociates to potassium and carbonate ions; long-term persistence not significant in environment
Other Adverse Effects: Large releases may alter local water and soil chemistry, raising pH and affecting ecosystem balance
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect and reuse wherever possible; neutralize with dilute acid and flush with water in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly, offer container for recycling or dispose of according to local instructions
Environmental Precautions: Dispose of contents/container to avoid environmental contamination; avoid discharge to surface water, sewers, or soil
Regulatory Requirements: Follow applicable waste codes and environmental legislation; always work with certified hazardous waste disposal contractors for significant quantities
UN Number: Not regulated as hazardous for ground transport, sea (IMDG), or air (IATA)
Proper Shipping Name: Potassium Carbonate
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant, but spills may affect water bodies by raising pH
Special Precautions: Secure containers to prevent movement; protect from moisture and incompatibles during transit; safeguard from dust release
US Regulations: Listed on TSCA inventory; no specific SARA Title III reporting requirements; subject to OSHA hazard communication standard
European Regulations: Registered under REACH; classified according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008
International Inventories: Listed on Australia AICS, Canada DSL/NDSL, China IECSC, Japan ENCS, Korea ECL, Philippines PICCS
Workplace Controls: Employers must inform and train workers; provide safety data sheets and appropriate PPE
Label Requirements: Product label to include hazard pictogram, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements per CLP and GHS
