Substance name: Europium(III) Chloride Hexahydrate
Chemical formula: EuCl3·6H2O
Common synonyms: Europium trichloride hexahydrate
Appearance: Soft, pinkish crystalline solid
Odor: No noticeable odor
Common uses: Laboratory chemical, phosphor manufacturing, research in electronics and photonics
Solubility: Soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
Molecular weight: About 366 g/mol
Relevant chemical family: Lanthanide salts
CAS number: 13759-92-7
Classification: Typically flagged as an irritant for skin, eyes, and respiratory system
Signal word: Warning
Main risks: Eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory irritation from dust or mist, environmental hazard for aquatic life
Hazard pictograms: Exclamation mark, aquatic toxicity symbol
Acute effects: Red or itchy eyes, coughing, dry or itchy skin, sore throat after inhalation
Chronic effects: Those exposed to lanthanide salts over long periods might develop sensitivity or chronic skin irritation
Routes of entry: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Other remarks: Inhalation of fine powders can present a greater risk of irritation
Main ingredient: Europium(III) chloride hexahydrate
Purity: Often distributed as 99% or higher if purchased for lab use
Additional substances: Trace impurities may be present, usually under 1% and typically include other rare earths
Physical form: Crystalline solid; breaks down easily to a fine powder
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing if symptoms show, medical advice in case of persistent coughing or difficulty breathing
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove any contact lenses if easy to do, continue rinsing, seek medical help if irritation lasts
Skin contact: Wash skin with plenty of soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek guidance for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, contact medical personnel if large quantities are swallowed or symptoms arise
Special note: Medical professionals should know that europium salts are minimally absorbed by the body, but secondary effects from irritation must be managed
Suitable extinguishing media: Water spray, dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide; choose based on surrounding materials
Combustion products: Hydrogen chloride gas (which irritates eyes, nose, throat), europium oxides
Special fire-fighting instructions: Firefighters should wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid inhaling gases or fumes
Unusual fire risks: The compound itself won’t catch fire easily, but containers exposed to fire could burst or leak hazardous fumes
Special protection: Keep run-off from firefighting efforts out of drains and waterways; water used in firefighting can pick up hazardous residues
Personal precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask or respirator
Environmental precautions: Prevent entry into sewers and natural water bodies, contain spill if possible
Cleanup procedure: Scoop up solid material with non-sparking tools, avoid creation of dust, place in appropriate waste container
Decontamination: Wash area of spill with water and mild detergent, ventilate area
Disposal: Treat collected waste material according to local hazardous waste guidelines, never flush into drains
Handling: Always handle with gloves and safety glasses, keep powder or dust away from face, use fume hood or local ventilation if possible
Safe transfer: Avoid stirring up dust, work in a contained space if practical
Storage location: Store in tightly closed containers, away from incompatible substances (like strong acids and oxidizers)
Temperature requirements: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity
Special reminders: Label containers clearly, don’t eat or drink while handling chemicals, always wash hands after use
Engineering controls: Work in a chemical fume hood or with effective local ventilation
Respiratory protection: Wear a dust mask or NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne concentrations are likely to rise
Eye/face protection: Chemical splash goggles recommended
Hand protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, such as nitrile or latex
Skin protection: Lab coat or protective clothing to cover arms and legs
Hygiene: No eating, drinking, or smoking in handling areas; always wash hands thoroughly after work
Physical state: Solid
Color: Pale pink to white
Odor: None
Melting point: Loses water at >100°C, decomposes before true melting
Solubility in water: High
pH (aqueous solution): Mildly acidic
Vapor pressure: None under normal conditions
Boiling point: Not applicable to hydrated salts
Density: Around 2.4 g/cm³
Other properties: Deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air), forms clear pink solution in water
Chemical stability: Stable at normal temperatures and pressures for lab work
Incompatible materials: Strong acids, strong bases, powerful oxidizers
Hazardous decomposition products: Hydrogen chloride, europium oxides if heated to decomposition
Special conditions to avoid: High humidity, contact with reducing agents
Reactivity profile: Not known to be explosive or prone to violent reactions under normal use
Routes of exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute symptoms: Eye and skin irritation, including redness and itchiness; sore throat or coughing if inhaled
Long-term exposure: Rare earth compounds may build up in the body over long periods, but europium has low general toxicity
Animal research: Some rare earth salts show mild chronic toxicity; there’s limited data on human effects
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen
Special note: Those with sensitivities or allergies to lanthanides should take extra care to avoid contact
Aquatic toxicity: Potentially harmful to aquatic organisms; even small spills could disrupt microfauna
Bioaccumulation: Lanthanides can accumulate in plants and animals, though environmental pathways for europium are not fully mapped
Degradability: Not readily degraded in the environment
Soil effects: May persist in soil, affect beneficial microbes
Special concerns: Accidental release into water requires immediate action to prevent harm downstream
Disposal methods: Take waste to a licensed hazardous waste handler; safe neutralization and containment are critical
Do not: Pour down the drain or landfill with general garbage
Preferred route: Seal in a labeled, compatible container and follow all regional regulations for lab chemical disposal
Rinse solutions: Collect rinses for disposal with solid waste, don’t release into sinks
Transport classification: Not regulated as a dangerous good under many national and international guidelines but always check in destination jurisdiction
Packing instructions: Use packed, sealed, and labeled containers that prevent moisture ingress
Special handling for transport: Keep upright, avoid container damage, transport with other compatible chemicals only
Spillage during transit: Immediate cleanup and reporting procedures must be in place for spill response
Labeling: Chemicals must carry clear labels with hazard information
Workplace rules: Facility and laboratory use falls under occupational safety standards set by national agencies
Environmental rules: Reportable quantities or accidental releases are subject to local environmental protection laws
Exposure limits: No established threshold limit value for europium (as of latest published standards), but general dust exposure limits apply
Employee training: Require training in safe handling, emergency response, and proper disposal as part of lab operations
Recordkeeping: Policies demand chemical inventory and safety documentation kept up to date and accessible to staff