Substance: Cesium Bromide
Chemical Formula: CsBr
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Common Uses: Optics manufacturing, infrared spectroscopy, specialty chemical synthesis
CAS Number: 7787-69-1
Hazard Class: Irritant
Potential Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, ingestion
Acute Health Hazards: Causes irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Swallowing cesium bromide may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Chronic Health Hazards: Extended exposure can worsen irritation and trigger sensitization in sensitive individuals.
Environmental Hazards: Soluble in water, which increases mobility in aquatic environments; improper disposal may lead to contamination.
Main Component: Cesium Bromide
Purity (Typical Lab Grade): Greater than 99% CsBr
Impurities: Possible trace amounts of other cesium or bromide salts, typically insignificant in laboratory settings
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area and supply fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Immediately wash skin with plenty of water and soap, remove contaminated clothing.
Eye Contact: Rinse wide open under running water for several minutes, especially if wearing contact lenses.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting, seek medical help right away.
Symptoms to Watch For: Redness, itching, irritation, coughing, nausea
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for surrounding materials, as cesium bromide itself doesn’t fuel combustion.
Specific Hazards: If exposed to fire, toxic fumes of cesium oxide or hydrogen bromide may develop.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to prevent inhalation of fumes.
Advice for Emergency Responders: Control runoff to prevent entry into sewers or waterways.
Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, glasses, and suitable respiratory protection.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release into environment; prevent spills from reaching drains, soil, and water sources.
Methods of Containment and Clean Up: Sweep up spills carefully, use damp cloth or absorbent material, transfer to container for disposal; ventilate area to remove any airborne particles.
Decontamination: Wash spill area thoroughly after cleanup to remove residues.
Safe Handling: Handle in well-ventilated areas, minimize production of dust, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes.
Storage: Store in cool, dry, tightly-sealed containers, away from moisture or incompatible substances like strong acids.
Special Notes: Keep away from foodstuffs and beverages to avoid accidental contamination or ingestion.
Workplace Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or work in a fume hood to limit airborne particles.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, lab coats recommended; for potential airborne exposure, wear NIOSH-approved dust mask or respirator.
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after use, do not eat or drink while handling, avoid touching eyes or mouth.
Appearance: White crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: About 636°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Soluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: About 4.44 g/cm³ (at 25°C)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures in dry air.
Reactive Scenarios: Exposure to strong acids may release toxic bromine vapors. Hygroscopic: absorbs moisture from air.
Hazardous Decomposition: Cesium oxide and hydrogen bromide may form under fire conditions or contact with acids.
Acute Effects: Skin and eye irritation, coughing or throat irritation if inhaled, stomach upset if ingested.
Chronic Effects: Ongoing exposure can worsen skin dryness, dryness or rash; repeated inhalation of fine powder may cause respiratory irritation.
Routes of Exposure: Primarily respiratory tract, skin, eyes
Carcinogenic Status: Not classified as a carcinogen under most regulatory systems.
Symptoms of Overexposure: Increased irritation, headache, nausea, allergic-type reactions in sensitive individuals.
Ecotoxicity: Cesium bromide can harm aquatic life at high concentrations; readily dissolves, increasing risks of bioaccumulation in some organisms.
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; dissociates into ions in water.
Mobility: High in water due to solubility. Improper disposal contributes to environmental contamination.
Bioaccumulation: Generally low, but caution is necessary for sensitive aquatic environments.
Safe Disposal: Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste through a licensed waste handler.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse containers well before recycling or disposal; follow local laws on hazardous waste containers.
Environmental Precaution: Never dump cesium bromide into drains, waterways, or the broader environment.
Transport Regulations: Not classified as a dangerous good under many transportation codes, but still deserves careful packaging to avoid leaks.
Advice: Use secure, labeled containers; avoid transport alongside food or drink products, keep away from incompatible substances.
Spill Response in Transit: If leak occurs during transport, stop vehicle, ventilate area, isolate and clean up using appropriate PPE.
International Regulations: Cesium bromide does not appear on some hazardous substance lists but should be handled according to strict safety guidelines.
Worker Protection: Employers must inform workers of hazards and provide safety information and equipment per relevant occupational standards.
Environmental Regulation: Local, state, and national laws may restrict disposal and handling; adherence to all relevant regulations is necessary to prevent fines and liability.