MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Section 1. Chemical product and company identification
Product Name: Purple K Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishant
Synonym: Potassium Bicarbonate, KDC, PK
Manufacturer: AMEREX CORPORATION
Internet Address: www.amerex-fire.com
Address: 7595 Gadsden Highway
P.O. Box 81
Trussville, AL 35173-0081
Telephone: (205) 655-3271
Emergency Contacts: Chemtrec 1-800- 424-9300 or
(703) 527鈥?3887
Revised: June, 2006
Section 2. Hazard identification and emergency overview
Emergency overview: Light purple, fine solid powder, odorless.
Adverse health effects and symptoms: Moderate irritant to the respiratory system and
eyes; mild irritant to the skin. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath,
and irritation of the lungs, eyes, and skin. Ingestion, although unlikely, may cause
gastric distress.
Exposure guidelines:
Ingredients OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV DFG MAK *
PNOC** PNOC PNOC
Total dust, 15 mg/m3 Total dust, 10 mg/m3 Total dust, 4 mg/m3
Potassium bicarbonate
Respirable fraction, 5 mg/m3 Respirable fraction, 3 mg/m3 Respirable fraction,
1.5 mg/m3
6 mg/m3
Mica 3 mg/m3 -------
PNOC PNOC PNOC
Total dust, 15 mg/m3 Total dust, 10 mg/m3 Total dust, 4 mg/m3
Fullers Earth
Respirable fraction, 5 mg/m3 Respirable fraction, 3 mg/m3 Respirable fraction,
1.5 mg/m3
Silicone oil NR*** NR NR
Violet 23 pigment NR NR NR
*German regulatory limits **PNOC = Particulates not otherwise classified (ACGIH) also known as Particulates not
otherwise regulated (OSHA) *** NR = Not Regulated. All values are 8 hour time weighted average concentrations.
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Hazard symbols: WHMIS (Canadian workplace hazardous materials identification
system)
D2B may irritate eyes, mucous membranes, or skin
Section 3. Composition/information on ingredients
Name/Compound Weight % CAS #
Potassium bicarbonate > 93 298-14-6
(potassium hydrogen carbonate)-
may contain minor calcium carbonate
Fullers earth >4 8031-18-3
magnesium aluminum silicate-
Mica >2 12001-26-2
potassium aluminum silicate
Silicone oil < 0.5 63148-57-2
methyl hydrogen polysiloxane
Violet 23 pigment < 0.2 6358-30-1
oxazine dye
Section 4. First Aid Measures
Eye Exposure: Irrigate eyes with water and repeat until pain free. Seek medical
attention if irritation develops or if vision changes occur.
Skin Exposure: In case of contact, wash with plenty of soap and water. Seek medical
attention if irritation develops.
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Inhalation: If respiratory irritation or distress occurs remove victim to fresh air. Seek
medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion: If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-3 glasses of water to drink. If
conscious, induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention. Do not leave victim
unattended. To prevent aspiration of swallowed product, lay victim on side with head
lower than waist.
Medical conditions possibly aggravated by exposure: Inhalation of product may
aggravate existing chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema, or
bronchitis. Skin contact may aggravate existing skin disease. Chronic overexposure
may cause pneumoconiosis (鈥渄usty lung鈥? disease).
Section 5. Fire fighting measures
Extinguishing media: non combustible and non flammable 鈥? product is an
extinguishing agent
Unusual fire/explosion hazards: in a fire this material may decompose, releasing
oxides of carbon, potassium and nitrogen (see Section 10).
Insensitive to mechanical impact or static discharge.
HMIS Hazard Ranking:
health = 1, flammability = 0, reactivity = 0, personal protective equipment: use N-95
dust mask (see Section 8)
Section 6. Accidental release measures
Clean up released material using vacuum or wet sweep and shovel to minimize
generation of dust. Wear appropriate respiratory protection. Bag and drum for
disposal. If product is used and/or contaminated, use PPE and containment
appropriate to the nature of the mixture. Prevent material from entering waterways.
Section 7. Handling and storage
Avoid skin, eye, or respiratory exposure. Use appropriate PPE when handling or
maintaining equipment, and wash thoroughly after handling (see Section 8). Keep
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product in original container or extinguisher. Contents may be under pressure 鈥?
inspect for extinguisher rust periodically to insure container integrity. Do not mix with
other extinguishing agents, particularly ammonium phosphate. Do not store in high
humidity.
Section 8. Exposure controls/ personal protection
During the application of this product against fires, exhaust gases and the products of
incomplete combustion (PICs) are the principal respiratory hazards. In the
manufacture of extinguishers, automated systems and point source ventilation controls
sufficiently minimize respiratory exposure. Employers and employees must use their
collective judgment in determining occupational settings where the use of a dust mask
or air purifying respirator is prudent. The need for respiratory protection is not likely for
short-term use in well ventilated areas.
Respiratory protection: use N95 dust mask for limited exposure, use air-purifying
respirator (APR) with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for prolonged
exposure.
Eye protection: wear chemical goggles or full-face APR.
Skin protection: use nitrile, latex, or similar gloves and coveralls. Good personal
hygiene practices essential, such as avoiding food, tobacco products, or other hand-to-
mouth contact when handling. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
Appearance: light purple powder, finely divided odorless solid.
Specific gravity: Approximately .88 in aerated condition
Solubility: product is coated, not immediately soluble in water
Non 鈥揻lammable
Flash point: none
Vapor pressure: < 1 mm Hg
pH: approximately 9 鈥? 10 for a 10% solution
Boiling point: not applicable
No explosive or oxidizing properties
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Section 10. Stability and reactivity
Stability: stable
Incompatibles: strong acids, ammonium phosphate, lithium.
Decomposition products: heat of fire may release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
and oxides of potassium and nitrogen.
Possibility of hazardous reactions: none
Section 11. Toxicological information
Acute toxicity: Potassium bicarbonate LD50 (rat): unknown, testing has not been
conducted. Relatively non-toxic.
Target organs in man: respiratory system. This product is a mild
irritant to epithelial tissue, (eyes, mucous membranes, skin) and may
aggravate dermatitis. No information was found indicating the
product causes sensitization.
Chronic toxicity: Pneumoconiosis, or 鈥渄usty lung鈥? disease, may result from chronic
exposure to any dust.
Reproductive
toxicity: This product鈥檚 ingredients are not known to have reproductive or
teratogenic effects.
Section 12. Ecological information
Ecotoxicity: negative effects unknown. Provides nutrient phosphorus to plant life.
Persistence/
Degradability: degrades rapidly in humid/wet environment
Bioaccummulation: extent unknown
Mobility in soil: water soluble, may leach to groundwater
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Section 13. Disposal considerations
This product is not a RCRA characteristically hazardous or listed hazardous waste.
Dispose of according to state or local laws, which may be more restrictive than federal
laws or regulations. Used product may be altered or contaminated, creating different
disposal considerations.
Section 14. Transportation information
This product is not defined as a hazardous material under U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR 172, or by Transport Canada 鈥淭ransportation of
Dangerous Goods鈥? regulations.
Section 15. Regulatory information
International Inventory Status:
All ingredients are on the following inventories
Country(ies) Agency Status
United States of America TSCA Yes
Canada DSL Yes
Europe EINECS/ELINCS Yes
Australia AICS Yes
Japan MITI Yes
South Korea KECL Yes
European Risk and Safety phrases:
EU Classification: Irritant
R Phrases: 20 Harmful by inhalation.
36/37 Irritating to eyes, respiratory system.
S Phrases: 22 Do not breathe dust.
24/25 Avoid contact with skin and eyes
26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with
plenty of water and seek medical advice.
36 Wear suitable protective clothing.
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U.S. federal regulatory information:
None of the chemicals in this product are under SARA reporting requirements or have
SARA threshold planning quantities (TPQs) or CERCLA reportable quantities (RQs), or
are regulated under TSCA 8(d).
State regulatory information:
Chemicals in this product are covered under specific State regulations, as denoted
below:
Alaska - Designated Toxic and Hazardous Substances: None
California 鈥? Permissible Exposure Limits for Chemical Contaminants: None
Florida 鈥? Substance List: Mica Dust
Illinois 鈥? Toxic Substance List: None
Kansas 鈥? Section 302/303 List: None
Massachusetts 鈥? Substance List: Mica Dust
Minnesota 鈥? List of Hazardous Substances: None
Missouri 鈥? Employer Information/Toxic Substance List: None
New Jersey 鈥? Right to Know Hazardous Substance List: None
North Dakota 鈥? List of Hazardous Chemicals, Reportable Quantities: None
Pennsylvania 鈥? Hazardous Substance List: None
Rhode Island 鈥? Hazardous Substance List: Mica Dust
Texas 鈥? Hazardous Substance List: No
West Virginia 鈥? Hazardous Substance List: None
Wisconsin 鈥? Toxic and Hazardous Substances: None
California Proposition 65: No component is listed on the California Proposition 65 list.
_____________________________________________________________________
Section 16. Other information
This MSDS conforms to requirements under U.S., U.K., Canadian, Australian, and EU
regulations or standards, and conforms to the proposed 2003 ANSI Z400.1 format.
The information herein is given in good faith but no warranty, expressed or implied, is
made.
The information herein is given in good faith but no warranty, expressed or implied, is
made. Updated by Lindsay R. Hill, CIH
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