Page | 006 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet
Common Name: LITHIUM
Synonym: None
CAS No: 7439-93-2
Molecular Formula: Li
RTK Substance No: 1119
Description: Soft, silver to grayish-white (or yellow if exposed to air), odorless metal, crystalline mass or
powder
HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating
Firefighting
Lithium is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID which is WATER REACTIVE and the powder or dust may SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITE in AIR.
Use a Class D, dry sand, Met-L-X powder, graphite, or Lith-X powder as extinguishing agents.
DO NOT USE WATER, foam, CO2, or halogenated extinguishing agents.
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Lithium Dioxide and Lithium Hydroxide.
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers
cool.
DO NOT get water inside containers.
FIRE MAY RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN
EXTINGUISHED.
Reactivity
3 - Health
2 - Fire
2 W - Reactivity
DOT#: UN 1415
ERG Guide #: 138
Hazard Class: 4.3 (Water Reactive/
Dangerous when wet)
Finely divided Lithium particles, powder or dust may IGNITE SPONTANEOUSLY in AIR.
Lithium reacts violently with MOISTURE, WATER or STEAM to produce heat and flammable and explosive Hydrogen gas and toxic Lithium Hydroxide.
Lithium reacts violently with OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); COMBUSTIBLES; HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS; ALCOHOLS; METALS; METAL ALLOYS; METAL SALTS; STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); REDUCING AGENTS (such as SODIUM, ALUMINUM and their HYDRIDES) and many other substances.
SPILL/LEAKS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Isolation Distance:
Spills: 25 meters (75 feet)
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile)
Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers.
DO NOT USE WATER OR WET METHOD.
DO NOT wash into sewer.
Keep Lithium out of confined spaces, such as sewers,
because of the possibility of an explosion.
Odor Threshold: Flash Point:
Auto Ignition Temp: Vapor Pressure: Specific Gravity: Water Solubility: Boiling Point: Melting Point: Molecular Weight:
Odorless
354oF (179oC)
354oF (179oC)
1 mm Hg at 1,333oF (723oC) 0.53 (water = 1)
Reactive
2,448oF (1,342oC)
357oF (181oC)
6.94
EXPOSURE LIMITS
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
No occupational exposure limits have been established for Lithium.
Gloves: Coveralls: Respirator:
Butyl, Nitrile, Neoprene, and Silver Shield®/4H® DuPont Tyvek®
Low levels - APR with High efficiency filter
HEALTH EFFECTS
FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION
Eyes: Skin: Inhalation:
Severe irritation and burns Severe irritation and burns
Nose, throat and lung irritation with coughing and severe shortness of breath (pulmonary edema)
Headache, muscle weakness, confusion and seizures
Remove the person from exposure.
Quickly brush off excess chemical from the face. Immediately flush with
large amounts of water for at least 60 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact lenses, if worn, while flushing. DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING. Seek medical attention immediately.
Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately blot or brush off excess chemical and wash gently with large amounts of water for at least 60 minutes. DO NOT INTERRUPT WASHING. Seek medical attention immediately.
Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary. Transfer to a medical facility.
Medical observation is recommended as symptoms may be delayed.
June 2008
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