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Product Name: Iron (III) Chloride Hexahydrate
Chemical Formula: FeCl3 · 6H2O
Synonyms: Ferric Chloride Hexahydrate, Iron Trichloride Hexahydrate
CAS Number: 10025-77-1
Recommended Use: Water treatment, wastewater management, laboratory reagent, etching solutions
Supplier: Listed on packaging or invoice, common chemical supply distributors
Emergency Phone Numbers: Local medical, fire departments, or national poison control hotlines
Classification: Corrosive to metals, skin, and eyes; irritant to respiratory tract
Label Elements: Pictogram: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Can severely damage skin and cause eye injuries; breathing in dust or mist leaves irritation and coughing; physical contact causes itching, burning, and redness; may corrode common metals
Precautionary Statements: Wear protection for eyes, skin, and lungs; keep out of reach of children; do not contaminate clothing, do not eat or drink during use
Health Hazards: Symptoms: burning, blistering, red eyes, sore throat, possible long-term respiratory harm
Substance: Iron (III) Chloride Hexahydrate
Concentration: 100% pure substance
Chemical Identity: FeCl3 · 6H2O
Hazardous Components: Iron trichloride combined with water, no mixture with other substances
Impurities: Potential trace amounts of hydrochloric acid or other chloride salts present from manufacturing
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; encourage slow, deep breathing; if breathing stops, offer oxygen or perform artificial respiration; seek medical attention for persistent symptoms
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water; do not rub; if rash, blistering, or persistent pain occurs, get medical advice
Eye Contact: Hold eye open and rinse gently with water for at least fifteen minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; medical evaluation is urgent due to risk of severe injury
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not give anything by mouth to a convulsing or unconscious person; call poison control, seek immediate medical attention; do not induce vomiting
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam; avoid direct water jet to prevent chemical run-off
Specific Hazards During Fire: Substance itself will not burn, but in intense heat releases chlorine gas, hydrogen chloride fumes; containers may rupture due to steam pressure
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full bunker gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid breathing vapor or fumes
Special Procedures: Move containers from fire zone if safe, cool those exposed to flames with water spray, prevent runoff from contaminating drains or waterways
Personal Precautions: Wear goggles, impervious gloves, protective apron, and respiratory protection as needed; avoid contact with skin and eyes; keep unprotected personnel away
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Scoop up solid spills without generating dust; for liquid, contain with sand or inert absorbent; sweep and collect residue in a sealed, labeled container
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to drains and surface water; notify authorities of major releases
Decontamination: Wash spill area with water, collect washings for disposal; ventilate affected rooms until air is clear
Safe Handling Notes: Pour and blend in well-ventilated areas with splash protection; avoid generation of dust or spray; do not eat, drink, or smoke nearby
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed, labeled containers; keep away from metals and moisture; do not stack heavy loads on containers; store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and strong bases
Compatibility Guidelines: Keep separate from metal powders, strong bases, organic substances; keep container dry to prevent leaks
Exposure Limit Values: No OSHA PEL assigned; ACGIH TLV not established; practice engineering controls to keep airborne levels as low as possible
Ventilation: Use fume hood, local exhaust, or adequate general ventilation
Respiratory Protection: Wear NIOSH-approved mask if dust or vapors exceed control limits, especially during spills
Hand Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, such as nitrile or neoprene
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles or full face shield
Skin and Body: Lab coats, long sleeves, and trousers; change soiled clothing promptly
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, face, and any exposed skin before eating or drinking, and after removing personal protective equipment
Appearance: Yellow to brown crystalline solid
Odor: Faint hydrochloric acid-like, may be pungent
pH: Approximately 1.8 (5% solution in water)
Melting Point: 37°C, decomposes with loss of water
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Solubility in Water: Highly soluble
Density: Approximately 1.82 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not measured; crystalline solid
Upper / Lower Flammability Limits: Not flammable
Partition Coefficient: log Kow not available; highly hydrophilic
Decomposition Temperature: Breaks down above 37°C, releasing HCl
Chemical Stability: Remains stable in dry, closed containers under normal conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid exposure to heat, moisture, basic or reducing agents
Incompatible Materials: Reacts strongly with alkalis, finely divided metals, organic substances, strong oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Forms hydrogen chloride gas, toxic iron oxides when overheated
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 450-850 mg/kg; can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes burns, redness, swelling, blistering with prolonged contact
Respiratory Irritation: Breathing in dust or vapors leads to coughing, throat pain, or tightness
Eye Damage/Irritation: Serious risk of corneal burns, possible vision loss
Chronic Effects: Repeated, long-term exposure can damage lungs, kidneys, liver; chronic inhalation sometimes causes bronchitis-like symptoms
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Sensitization: Not proven to cause allergic skin reactions
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life through acidification and metal ion toxicity; LC50 (fish, 48h): 20-30 mg/L; disrupts microorganism populations in wastewater
Persistence and Degradability: Will dissociate and dilute in water; iron precipitates as hydroxides, chloride ions remain
Bioaccumulation Potential: Iron does not bioaccumulate significantly in aquatic species; mobile in water systems
Mobility in Soil: Leaches into soil if spilled, may alter pH and harm plant roots
Other Harmful Effects: Acidic releases can corrode plumbing, agricultural drains
Methods of Disposal: Collect in sturdy, corrosion-resistant containers; treat liquid residues with neutralizing agents prior to disposal
Waste Disposal: Dispose of at approved hazardous waste facility in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations;
Do Not: Release into the environment or pour down drains without permission
Rinse Water: Collect and treat according to local environmental rules
UN Number: UN 2581
Proper Shipping Name: Ferric Chloride, Hexahydrate
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive Substance)
Packing Group: III
Labeling: Corrosive Material Label required
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as a marine pollutant under IMDG
Special Precautions for Transport: Use containers appropriate for corrosive solids, keep packages intact and dry; emergency response instructions should accompany shipment
OSHA Hazard Classification: Classified as hazardous, corrosive under the Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory: Listed
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Section 313
RCRA Status: Not classified as a federal hazardous waste, but local regulations may treat as hazardous
REACH Regulation (EU): Registered
Other Requirements: Safety instructions must appear on shipping and workplace containers; training and access to MSDS required for employees handling the substance
