Metal toxicity classification

Classification and segregation of wastes by such criteria are essential for their safe handling and disposal. If the waste is not a common chemical with known characteristics, enough information about it must be supplied to satisfy regulatory requirements and be certain that it can be handled and disposed of safely. For many wastes, only the principal components must be specified. However, if the waste contains a carcinogen or toxic metal, this information should be supplied. The information needed to characterize a waste also depends on the method of ultimate disposal. 

ACGIH TLV TWA 2 mg(Al)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 4.3 Label Dangerous When Wet SAFETY PROFILE Hydrides of some metals (such as ASH3) are extremely toxic. Dangerous fire hazard. An unstable material which is spontaneously flammable in air or O2. Evolves explosive H2 upon contact with moisture. Severe explosion hazard by chemical reacdon wherein H2 gas is produced, also in contact with methyl ethers contaminated by CO2. Mixtures with tetrazole derivadves are explosive. Reacts with oxidizing materials. On contact with acid or acid fumes, it can emit toxic fumes. See also HYDRIDES and ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 5.1 Label Oxidizer SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by ingesdon and intraperitoneal routes. A powerful oxidant. Incompadble with Al, As, C, Cu, charcoal, Mn02, metal sulfides, S, dibasic organic acids, organic matter, P. When heated to decomposidon it emits toxic fumes of CT. See also CHLORATES for fire, disaster, and explosion hazards. 

DFG MAK 1.5mg/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 4.2 Label Spontaneously Combustible SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by intravenous route. Experimental reproductive effects. It can cause a dust irritation, particularly to the eyes and mucous membranes. See also CARBON BLACK, SOOT. Combustible when exposed to heat. Dust is explosive when exposed to heat or flame or oxides, peroxides, oxosalts, halogens, interhalogens, O2, (NH4NO3 + heat), (NH4CIO4 240°), bromates, Ca(OCl)2, chlorates, (CI2 + Cr(OCl)2), CIO, iodates, IO5, Pb(N03)2, HgNOs, HNO3, (oils + air), (K + air), Na2S, Zn(N03)2. Incompatible with air, metals, oxidants, unsaturated oils. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 2.3 Label Poison Gas, Oxidizer, Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by inhaladon. A corrosive material. Vigorous reacdon in contact with water or anhydrous nitric acid. Violent reacdon on contact with metals. When heated to decomposidon it emits very toxic fumes of CL and F . See also CHLORINE, FLUORINE, FLUORIDES, and CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE. 

OSHA PEL TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 ACGIH TLV TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Corrosive. Probably an eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported. Reacts with water to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Catalyzes potentially explosive polymerization of ethylene oxide, chlorine + monomers (e.g., styrene). Forms shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with some metals (e.g., potassium, sodium). Violent reaction with allyl chloride. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of HCl. 

OSHA PEL TWA 0.5 mg(As)/m3 ACGIH TLV BEI 35 (As)/L inorganic arsenic and methylated metabolites in urine DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE Poison by an unspecified route. Moderately toxic by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. A skin and eye irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Mutation data reported. Used as an herbicide, defoliant, and silvicide. Hazardous when water solution is in contact with active metals, e.g., Fe, Al, Zn. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of As. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Moderately explosive when exposed to heat. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Dangerous reactions with metals e.g., sodium (mixture explodes on impact), potassium (explodes on contact), aluminum (ignition after a delay period). Reacts violently with A1 foil. CdS. PbS. organic matter. P. PCI3. rubber. Ag2S. ZnS. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of CL and I and may explode. See also IODINE and CHLORIDES. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingesdon. Moderately toxic by skin contact. Explosive reacdon with halogens or amine metal salts. When heated to decomposidon it emits very toxic fumes of CF, NO, and Hg. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE Poison by inhalation and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. An irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic data. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame. Moderately explosive by spontaneous chemical reaction. To fight fire, use water, CO2, dry chemical. Dehalogenation by reaction with alkalies, metals, etc., will produce spontaneously explosive chloroacetylenes. Violent reaction with NaK aUoy + bromoform. Mixtures with potassium are very shock-sensitive explosives. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Cl". See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by inhalation. A corrosive irritant to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. With the appropriate conditions it undergoes hazardous reactions with formic acid, hydrogen fluoride, inorganic bases, iodides, metals, methyl hydroperoxide, oxidants (e.g., bromine, pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride, perchloric acid, oxygen difluoride, hydrogen peroxide), 3-propynol, water. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of POx. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 4.3 Label Dangerous When Wet SAFETY PROFILE The toxicity of potassium compounds is almost always that of the anion, not of potassium. A dangerous fire hazard. Metallic potassium reacts with moisture to form potassium hydroxide and hydrogen. The reaction evolves much heat, causing the potassium to melt and spatter. The reaction also ignites the hydrogen, which burns, or if there is any confinement. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 5.1 Label Oxidizer SAFETY PROFILE Explosive reaction when heated with carbon, 2-aminophenol + tetrahydrofuran (at 65°C). Forms a friction-sensitive explosive mixture with hydrocarbons. Violent reaction with diselenium dichloride, ethanol, potassium-sodium alloy. May ignite on contact with organic compounds. Incandescent reaction with metals (e.g., arsenic, antimony, copper, potassium, tin, and zinc). When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of K2O. See also PEROXIDES. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 4.3 Label Dangerous When Wet SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. A ver reactive alkaK metal (more reactive than potassium or cesium). In the body, rubidium substitutes for potassium as an intracellular ion. The ratio of Rb/K intake is important in the toxicology of rubidium. A ratio above 40% is dangerous. In rats, a failure to gain weight is the first symptom, followed by ataxia and hyperirritabihty. Symptoms include skin ulcers, poor hair coat, sensitivity, and extreme nervousness leading to convulsions and death. 

OSHA PEL TW A 0.01 mg(A /m3 ACGIH TLV WA 0.01 mg(Ag)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION Forbidden SAFETY PROFILE Explodes when heated above 270°C or on impact. Pure silver azide explodes at 340°. An electric field or irradiation by electron pulses can explode the crystals. Shock-sensitive when dry and has detonated 250°C. Solutions in aqueous ammonia explode above 100°C. Reacts to form more explosive products with iodine (forms iodine azide) bromine and other halogens. The presence of metal oxides or metal sulfides increases the azide s sensitivity to explosion. Mixtures with sulfur dioxide are explosive. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NO,. See also AZIDES and SILVER COMPOUNDS. 

It IS proposed that the term "heavy metals" be abandoned in favor of a classifeation which separates metals. .. according to their binding preferences. . . related lo atomic properties.. . A review of the roles of metal ions in biological sysicms demonstrates the potential of the proposed classification for interpreting Ihe biochemical basis for metal-ion toxicity.. . . ... 

For inorganic compounds and metals, the concept of degradability as applied to organic compounds has limited or no meaning. Rather the substance may be transformed by normal environmental processes to either increase or decrease the bioavailability of the toxic species. Equally the use of bioaccumulation data should be treated with care. Specific guidance will be provided on how these data for such materials may be used in meeting the requirements of the classification criteria. 

A9.7.1.6 Speciation of the soluble form can be affected by pH, water hardness and other variables, and may yield particular forms of the metal ion which are more or less toxic. In addition, metal ions could be made non-available from the water column by a number of processes (e.g. mineralization and partitioning). Sometimes these processes can be sufficiently rapid to be analogous to degradation in assessing chronic classification. However, partitioning of the metal ion from the water column to other environmental media does not necessarily mean that it is no longer bioavailable, nor does it mean that the metal has been made permanently unavailable. 

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