FERRIC CHLORIDE

Ferric chloride is an orange to brown-black solid. It is slightly soluble in water. It is noncombustible. When wet it is corrosive to aluminum and most metals. Pick up and remove spilled solid before adding water. It is used to treat sewage, industrial waste, to purify water, as an etching agent for engraving circuit boards, and in the manufacture of other chemicals.

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Very hygroscopic. Slightly water soluble, where a 0.1M solution has a pH of 2.0.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating hydrogen chloride fumes may form in fire. (USCG, 1999)

Inhalation of dust may irritate nose and throat. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. Dust irritates eyes. Prolonged contact with skin causes irritation and burns. (USCG, 1999)

Alkali metal hydroxides, acids, anhydrous chlorides of iron, tin, and aluminum, pure oxides of iron and aluminum, and metallic potassium are some of the catalysts that may cause ethylene oxide to rearrange and polymerize, liberating heat, [J. Soc. Chem. Ind. 68:179(1949)]. Explosions occur , although infrequently, from the combination of ethylene oxide and alcohols or mercaptans, [Chem. Eng. News 20:1318(1942)]. Allyl chloride may polymerize violently under conditions involving an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, ferric chloride, aluminum chloride, Lewis acids, and Ziegler type catalysts (initiators), [Ventrone (1971)].

• Salts, Acidic Inorganic/Organic

Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) (AAR, 2003)

Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. Water spill: Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3), or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Adjust pH to neutral (pH=7). Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates. (AAR, 2003)

Dust respirator if required; rubber apron and boots; chemical worker's goggles or face shield (USCG, 1999)

_____Dupont Average Standardized Breakthrough Times_____
(for FERRIC CHLORIDE)

Tychem® Responder®
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  SATURATED)
Tychem® Responder® CSM
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  SATURATED)  (DuPont, 2008)

Copyrighted information of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Tychem® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Corrosive chemicals will destroy the membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and, in addition, have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Transport the victim IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

• CHLORURE DE FER III (DOT FRENCH)
• CHLORURE DE FER III, ANHYDRE (DOT FRENCH)
• CLAYFEC
• CLORURO FÉRRICO (DOT SPANISH)
• CLORURO FÉRRICO, ANHIDRO (DOT SPANISH)
• FECL3: FERRIC CHLORIDE, IRON(III) CHLORIDE
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, ANHYDROUS
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, HEXAHYDRATE
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, SOLID (DOT)
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, SOLID, ANHYDROUS (DOT)
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, SOLUTION (DOT)
• FERRIC CHLORIDE, [SOLID, ANHYDROUS]
• FERRIC TRICHLORIDE
• FLORES MARTIS
• IRON (III) CHLORIDE
• IRON CHLORIDE
• IRON CHLORIDE, SOLID (DOT)
• IRON III CHLORIDE
• IRON PERCHLORIDE
• IRON SALTS (SOLUBLE, AS FE)
• IRON SESQUICHLORIDE, SOLID (DOT)
• IRON TRICHLORIDE
• IRON(III) CHLORIDE
• TRIFLOC
• UN 1773 (DOT)
• UN 2582 (DOT)