Product Name: Dipotassium Chromate
Synonyms: Potassium dichromate, Potassium bichromate
Chemical Formula: K2Cr2O7
Chemical Family: Inorganic salt
CAS Number: 7778-50-9
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, oxidizing agent, metal finishing, wood preservative
Supplier Information: Name, address, emergency phone number, and website of supplier should be clearly visible on packaging and shipping documentation
Emergency Contact: National chemical safety hotline, poison control center, or as listed by the supplier
Hazard Classification: Oxidizing Solid (Category 2), Acute Toxicity – Oral (Category 2), Acute Toxicity – Inhalation (Category 2), Acute Toxicity – Dermal (Category 3), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B), Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation (Category 1), Carcinogenicity (Category 1B), Germ Cell Mutagenicity (Category 1B), Reproductive Toxicity (Category 1B), Sensitization – Respiratory or Skin (Category 1), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure (Category 3), Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure (Category 1), Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment (Acute and Chronic Category 1)
Pictogram: Flame over circle, Skull and crossbones, Health hazard, Exclamation mark, Environment
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May cause cancer, causes severe skin burns, causes serious eye damage, may damage fertility or the unborn child, very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, fatal if inhaled or swallowed, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Precautionary Statements: Obtain special instructions before use, avoid all contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, avoid breathing dust or vapors, wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling, use personal protective equipment, do not allow into environment, dispose of contents according to regulations
Chemical: Dipotassium Chromate
CAS Number: 7778-50-9
Percentage: Above 99% by weight
Impurities: No significant impurities that affect classification reported
Molecular Weight: 294.18 g/mol
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air immediately, keep warm and at rest, administer artificial respiration if breathing has stopped, seek medical attention without delay
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes, rinse affected skin with copious water for at least 15 minutes, wash with mild soap, use emergency shower if available, seek immediate medical care
Eye contact: Flush eyes with running water for no less than 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, obtain immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth and drink 2–4 cups of water if conscious, never attempt oral fluids to an unconscious individual, rapid medical supervision is required
Note to physician: Monitor for sensitization reactions, respiratory distress, renal and hepatic toxicity, provide supportive care according to symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam; use water spray only to cool containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid water jets directly on substance, risk of spreading fire
Fire Hazards: Strong oxidizer, can intensify fires in presence of combustibles, releases toxic fumes including chromium trioxide upon decomposition
Protective Equipment: Full chemical protective suit, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), boots, gloves rated for chemical and thermal protection
Advice for Firefighters: Move remaining containers from fire area, contain runoff to prevent environmental contamination
Personal Precautions: Evacuate the area, restrict access, ventilate enclosed spaces, wear complete personal protective gear including respirator, gloves, and eye protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, storm drains, waterways; notify environmental authorities if contamination risk exists
Containment: Use non-combustible materials (sand, earth, vermiculite) to contain spill, avoid combustibles
Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled material in labeled, sealed containers for disposal; avoid raising dust, clean remainder with wet wiping, do not use sawdust or combustible materials for absorption
Decontamination: Wash gardens or surfaces with a detergent solution, collect and dispose of contaminated wash water as hazardous waste
Disposal: Obey environmental, local, and national laws when discarding contaminated waste and cleanup materials
Handling: Use only within well-ventilated chemical fume hoods, avoid inhalation of dust and contact with skin or eyes, minimize dust generation, use dedicated equipment to prevent cross-contamination
Hygiene: Do not eat, drink, or smoke around the product, wash hands and face before breaks and upon finishing work, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Storage: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, incompatible substances (reducing agents, acids, combustibles, organics, strong bases), and moisture
Shelf life: Maintain records of receipt and opening, use oldest batch first, routinely inspect for container degradation or leakage
Labeling: Clear hazard labels, chemical name, hazard pictograms, and emergency contact info must be visible
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.005 mg/m3 (as Cr(VI)), NIOSH REL: 0.0002 mg/m3 (as Cr(VI)), ACGIH TLV: 0.00005 mg/m3 for chromates
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hoods, air filtration systems, minimize dust and aerosols
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection (NIOSH-approved respirator for Cr(VI)), chemical splash goggles, face shield for bulk handling, gloves (nitrile, PVC, or PVA), full protective clothing, chemical resistant boots
Hygiene Measures: Emergency eyewash and safety shower must be accessible, no-contact policies in work zones, routine training on mutagenic and carcinogenic risks
Appearance: Orange-red crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: 4 (10 g/L aqueous solution)
Melting Point: 398°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes at over 398°C, emitting toxic chromium fumes
Solubility: 63 g/L (water, 20°C)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Density: 2.676 g/cm3
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not established
Flash Point: Not flammable
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Explosive Properties: Not explosive, but supports fire due to oxidizing potential
Viscosity: Not relevant
Molecular Weight: 294.18 g/mol
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Incompatible Materials: Reducing agents, acids, combustibles, organics, sulfur, phosphorus, metallic powders, ammonium compounds
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with water, excessive heat, incompatible substances, dusty environments, mechanical shock
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Chromium trioxide, chromium(VI) compounds, potassium oxide
Polymerization: Not expected to occur
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 25 mg/kg, Dermal LD50 (rabbit): 200 mg/kg, Inhalation LC50 (rat): 0.05 mg/L/4h
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning of mucous membranes, skin ulcers, nosebleeds, severe eye damage, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney and liver damage
Chronic Effects: Sensitization, respiratory disease, lung cancer, skin ulcerations, chromosomal aberrations, reproductive harm
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans), NTP: Known carcinogen, OSHA: Regulated carcinogen
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Harm: Evidence available in studies, strict reproductive health advisories required in workplaces
Target Organs: Lungs, kidneys, liver, blood system, skin, eyes
Additional Information: Persons with impaired respiratory, renal, or hepatic function are at higher risk
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, acute EC50 (daphnia magna): 0.045 mg/L, very toxic to fish and invertebrates, possible long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: Chromium(VI) compounds are persistent chemicals, reduction to Chromium(III) is environmentally preferable but not rapid
Bioaccumulation Potential: Chromium(VI) exhibits bioaccumulative properties, especially in aquatic systems
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, leaches readily through soil to contaminate groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Strong oxidant effects alter habitat chemistry, harm beneficial microorganisms in soil and water
Disposal Methods: Collect in clearly labeled, tightly sealed hazardous waste containers, store away from incompatible waste, do not dispose in regular trash or sewers
Treatment: Dispose of via licensed hazardous waste contractor, treatment options include specialized chemical reduction to less toxic chromium(III), followed by stabilization
Packaging: Use leak-proof, chemical resistant containers, avoid reuse of containers
Regulations: Comply with local, regional, and national environmental agencies for chromium waste management
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate or discard as hazardous waste according to regulations
Hazardous Waste Number: U144 (EPA RCRA), EWC: 06 03 15 (European Waste Catalogue)
UN Number: UN 3288
UN Shipping Name: Toxic solid, inorganic, n.o.s. (Dipotassium chromate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Label Required: Toxic, oxidizer (if applicable)
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Avoid physical impact and exposure to sources of heat, do not transport with food, feed, combustibles
Additional Information: Emergency response guide (ERG) code 151, require notification and protection measures in case of accidental release
OSHA: Regulated hazardous substance, subject to permissible exposure limits and medical surveillance
EPA: Listed as hazardous waste and hazardous air pollutant, reporting requirements for releases (SARA Title III, CERCLA)
TSCA: Listed
REACH: Substance of Very High Concern (Candidate List)
Canadian Regulations: WHMIS Classification D1A, D2A, E; on DSL
EU Regulation: Classified as Category 1B Carcinogen under CLP
International Inventories: Listed on EINECS (231-906-6), other national inventories
Additional Notes: Strict recordkeeping, training, and exposure monitoring for workplaces, public health authorities demand risk assessments before use