MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Osmium Tetroxide
Page 1 of 2
Date of Issue: December 2006
STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE
Hazardous according to criteria of Worksafe Australia
COMPANY DETAILS
ProSciTech
Company:
Address: PO Box 111, Thuringowa Central Qld. 4817 Australia
Street Address: 1/11 Carlton Street, Kirwan, Qld, 4817. Australia
Telephone Number: (07) 4773 9444
Fax Number: (07) 4773 2244
Email: pst@proscitech.com
IDENTIFICATION SECTION
Osmium Tetroxide
Product Name
Osmium (VIII) Oxide
Other Names
C010, C012
Product Code
UN2471
U.N. Number
6.1
Dangerous Goods Class
and Subsidiary Risk
2X
Hazchem Code
R26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if
Poison Schedule
swallowed.
R34 Causes burns
S7/9 Keep container tightly closed and in a well ventilated place
S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of
water and seek medical advice.
S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice
immediately (show the label where possible)
Electron microscopy fixative
Use
Physical Description and Properties
Pale yellow crystals, pungent, chlorine-like odour
Appearance
B.P. 131oC; M.P. 40oC
Boiling Point/Melting Point
11mm at 27oC
Vapour Pressure
4.906gm/cc
Specific Gravity
Not applicable
Flash Point
Not determined
Flammability Limits
5.7g/100mL in cold water
Solubility in water
6.2g.100mL in hot water
Other Properties
Ingredients
Chemical Name CAS Number Proportion
Osmium Tetroxide 20816-12-0 100%
Page 2 of 2
Osmium Tetroxide
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Health Effects:
Very toxic. Ingestion will lead to the destruction of the tissues of the mouth and throat, followed by stomach pain
Swallowed:
and vomiting
Osmium tetroxide has a corrosive action on the eyes and can produce severe conjunctivitis. Industrial cases of
Eye:
permanent blindness have been reported. Low concentrations of vapour are corrosive and affect the eyes,
producing the effect of a halo around bright lights, together with blurring of vision. A painful scratchy sensation
increasing in intensity for several hours after onset can also occur, but recovery is normally spontaneous and
usually complete in 24-48 hours.
Very toxic. Skin contact can lead to dermatitis with painful skin irritation. The tetroxide is easily reduced to the
Skin:
black, hydrated dioxide by biological material and therefore, will leave a black stain in the skin.
Very toxic. Respiratory effect following acute or accidental exposure are dependent on the concentration and the
Inhaled:
exposure. Inhalation will irritate the respiratory tract. Headache, together with necrosis of the tracheal epithelium,
bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysemia and other lubng damage have been reported.
First Aid:
Rinse mouth with water and give water or milk to drink. Seek medical attention urgently.
Swallowed:
Wash continuously with water or isotonic saline solution for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention urgently.
Eye:
Remove contaminated clothing. Wash off with copious amounts of water. If burns occur, cover and seek medical
Skin:
attention.
Remove patient from exposure and allow to rest in fresh air. Seek medical attention urgently.
Inhaled:
Contact a Poisons Information Centre.
Advice to Doctor
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
TLV 0.002mg/m3 (TWA), 0.006mg/ m3 (STEL) as Osmium.
Exposure Standards:
Ensure local exhaust extraction is adequate to maintain air concentrations below TLVs. Ideally, Osmium
Engineering Controls:
Tetroxide should be handled in an efficient fumehood, taking care to ensure eddies created by the operator do
not result in fumes in the breathing zone.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear gloves and chemical goggles with approved respiratory protection if
Personal Protection:
the TLV is likely to be exceeded. Ampoules should be handled as follows:
To obtain solid: The ampoule should be at room temperature or below. The contents should be shaken to one
end of the tube. Score round the opposite end of the ampoules with a glass knife. Touch the ampoule just above
the score mark with the fine point of a white-hot glass rod. The ampoule should crack round the score mark. Do
not allow the part of the ampoule containing the product to become heated.
To produce solution: Place ampoule below the solvent in a mortar. Crush carefully with a pestle. Dissolve the
Osmium Tetroxide and filter through glass wool or a sintered glass funnel. Do not use paper. Store in sealed
glass container.
Although the material is not flammable, it will assist a fire, producing irritant fumes. It also presents an
Flammability:
explosion hazard.
SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
UN2471 Class 6.1 Packing Group I. Proper Shipping Name: Osmium Tetroxide
Storage and Transport:
Store in closed container in a cool, dry, chemical store. Keep separate from incompatible materials, such as
easily oxisisable or flammable compounds. Check container regularly for leaks. Any black stains on the outer
packaging indicate one or more ampoules within have broken.
Wearing gloves and eye protection, sweep up the spillage and store in a sealed container ready for disposal.
Spills and Disposal:
Avoid mixing with flammable materials. Solutions should be absorbed in sand or other inert absorbent. Wash
area thoroughly with water afterwards.
The reaction with strong caustic potash can be used to deal with waste material. Dissolve any solids in water
and add a 25% solution of potassium hydroxide. Add ethanol to precipitate a dark solid, which can be collected
and dried on a filter under fume extraction. The filter damp solid can be disposed of in accordance with local
and national regulations.
Although the material is not flammable, it will assist a fire, producing irritant fumes. It also presents an
Fire/Explosion Hazard:
explosion hazard. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment. Use any
extinguisher suitable for the surrounding fire.
OTHER INFORMATION
TCLo (ihl-man) 0.133 mg/m3
Animal Toxicity Data:
LCLo (ihl-rat) 40 ppm/4hours
LD50 (ipr-rat) 14 mg/kg
LD50 (oral-mouse) 162 mg/kg
LCLo (ihl-mouse) 40 ppm/4 hours
LD50 (ipr-mouse) 13.5 mg/kg
LCLo (ihl-rabbit) 1316 mg/m3/30 minutes
In vitro, osmium tetroxide reacts with the DNA through an irreversible binding to thymide, which apparently
does not result in alteration of the DNA structure. The few data available on the long term effects following
chronic exposure to osmium tetroxide do not indicate permanent damage
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The information published in this Material Safety Data Sheet has been compiled from data in various technical publications. It is
the user鈥檚 responsibility to determine the suitability of this information for adoption of necessary safety precautions. We reserve the
right to revise Material Safety Data Sheets as new information becomes available. Copies may be made for non-profit use.
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