Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 4 3	Health	4	Can be lethal.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	3	Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
	Special

A clear colorless to yellow liquid. Boiling point 43°C. Flash point below 0°F. Very toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Carcinogenic. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Used to nickel coat steel and other metals and to make very pure nickel.

• Pyrophoric
• Peroxidizable Compound

Highly flammable over a wide range of vapor-air concentrations. Is peroxidized by air to give a solid deposit that tends to decompose and ignite. Insoluble in water.

Vapor forms explosive mixtures with air. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back. Liquid may explode when heated under confinement. Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire and explosion. May explode at 68F in presence of air or oxygen. Avoid contact with heat, acid or acid fumes as these cause the emission of highly toxic fumes. Avoid contact with air, ignition sources and vapors entering a confined space. (EPA, 1998)

Probable oral lethal dose for a human is between 50 and 500 mg/kg, between one teaspoon and one ounce per 150 lb. person. Nickel carbonyl has also been estimated to be lethal in man at atmospheric exposures of 30 ppm for 20 minutes. Autopsies show congestion, collapse, and tissue destruction, as well as hemorrhage in the brain. Dermatitis, recurrent asthmatic attacks, and increased number of white blood cells (eosinophils) in respiratory tract are acute health hazards. Nickel carbonyl is poisonous. It can be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Vapors may cause irritation, congestion, and edema of lungs. (EPA, 1998)

NICKEL CARBONYL is easily oxidized. Presents a very serious fire hazard if exposed to heat, flame, sparks, oxidizing agents. Explodes when heated to about 60°C. Reacts explosively with bromine (liquid), oxygen in the presence of mercury, or hydrocarbons (butane) mixed with oxygen. Undergoes violent reactions with air, oxygen, dinitrogen tetraoxide. Caused an explosion when added to an n-butane-oxygen at 20-40°C [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 70:2055-6. 1948]. Reacts with tetrachloropropadiene to form an extremely explosive dinickel chloride dimer. Emits highly toxic fumes of carbon monoxide when heated to decomposition or in contact with mineral acids or acid fumes [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1734]. Vapor explodes in air or oxygen at 20°C and a partial pressure of 15 mm.

• Organometallics

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1259 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Material is too dangerous to health to expose fire fighters. A few whiffs of the vapor could cause death. If liquid or vapor penetrates fire fighter's protective gear it will cause fatality. Normal full protective gear available to the average fire department will not provide adequate inhalation or skin protection.

Use water, alcohol foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.

SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nickel carbonyl:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2024)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Nickel carbonyl	13463-39-3	Liquid								>480
Tetracarbonylnickel	13463-39-3	Liquid								>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

Warning: Effects usually occur in two stages: immediate and delayed. Delayed effects may begin hours to days after exposure. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Nickel Carbonyl Exposure: Acute exposure to nickel carbonyl may result in dizziness, giddiness, weakness, convulsions, hallucinations, delirium, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Following inhalation, respiration will initially be rapid, accompanied by a nonproductive cough, and followed by pain and tightness in the chest. Pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, and hepatic (liver) degeneration may also occur. Vapor is irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Nickel contact dermatitis is the most common reaction to nickel carbonyl. Nickel itch may begin with a burning sensation and itching, often followed by erythema (redness) and nodular eruptions. Liquid nickel carbonyl will burn the skin and eyes.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to nickel carbonyl may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to nickel carbonyl.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to nickel carbonyl.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• NICKEL CARBONYL
• NICKEL CARBONYL (NI(CO)4)
• NICKEL CARBONYL[NI(CO)4],(T-4)-
• NICKEL TETRACARBONYL
• TETRACARBONYL NICKEL
• TETRACARBONYLNICKEL
• TETRACARBONYLNICKEL(0)