Nickel Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet

Identification

Product Name: Nickel Oxide
Chemical Formula: NiO
Common Synonyms: Nickel(II) oxide, Nickel monoxide
CAS Number: 1313-99-1
Manufacturer Information: Supplier name, address, emergency contact number provided on shipment documents
Recommended Use: Used in ceramics, glass manufacturing, electroplating, catalyst production, battery cathodes, welding, and as a pigment
Restrictions on Use: Not intended for consumer use or ingestion, avoid direct skin contact and inhalation during industrial applications

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Inhalation: Category 3), Carcinogenicity (Category 1A), Skin Irritant (Category 2), Eye Irritant (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Repeated Exposure: Category 2)
Hazard Statements: Toxic if inhaled, may cause cancer through inhalation, causes skin and eye irritation, suspected of damaging fertility or unborn child, may cause respiratory tract irritation
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, health hazard (exclamation mark and silhouette)
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wear protective gloves and eye protection, use respiratory protection during dust-generating processes, wash hands thoroughly after handling, obtain special instructions before use
Other Hazards: Chronic exposure can result in respiratory sensitization, may persist in soils and aquatic environments

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Nickel Oxide
Percentage (by weight): 99% or greater
Impurities: Trace levels of cobalt or iron may be present depending on raw source
Molecular Weight: 74.69 g/mol
Component Exposures: Nickel compounds contribute to reported human health effects

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep at rest, provide oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing is difficult, seek immediate medical attention for prolonged symptoms such as coughing or wheezing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical advice for persistent irritation or rash, launder clothing before reuse
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with running water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present, seek prompt medical evaluation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with clean water, do not induce vomiting, call local poison control center or seek immediate medical attention
General Advice: Treat symptoms, monitor for signs of pulmonary inflammation or skin allergic response, keep emergency shower and eyewash station accessible

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam for surrounding fire, water spray may be used to cool containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid use of direct water jets on burning powder
Specific Hazards: Product itself does not readily burn, heating may release toxic fumes of nickel and nickel oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require full protective gear with self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Procedures: Isolate area, approach fire from upwind side, avoid dust generation in suppression efforts
Combustion Products: Includes nickel fumes, which are hazardous by inhalation

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate nonessential personnel, use respiratory protection, prevent dust formation and inhalation, avoid contact with skin and eyes
Emergency Procedures: Provide adequate ventilation, isolate spill area, follow facility procedures for exposure response
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to drains, soil, or waterways, report significant spills to local authorities as required
Clean-up Methods: Collect material using methods that minimize dust (sweeping or vacuum with HEPA filter), place in properly labeled containers for disposal, avoid dry brushing
Decontamination: Wash contaminated surfaces thoroughly after cleanup

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Handle with appropriate engineering controls, keep containers tightly closed, minimize dust generation, avoid eating or drinking during use, wash thoroughly after handling
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong acids, oxidizing agents, or reducing agents
Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, well-ventilated place with secure containment, segregate from incompatible substances, keep away from food or animal feed
Transfer Precautions: Use tools or procedures that reduce risk of spill and dust generation

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for nickel compounds: 1 mg/m³ TWA; ACGIH TLV: 0.2 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, enclosed systems for bulk handling, maintain airborne concentrations below exposure limits
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved respirators for dust, chemical safety goggles, nitrile or neoprene gloves, long-sleeved lab coat or coveralls
Hygiene Measures: No eating or smoking in work areas, wash hands before breaks, change contaminated clothing promptly
Environmental Controls: Prevent dust from entering ventilation intakes, monitor for particulate release

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Olive-green to black powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH (slurry): 9–11 (in water)
Melting Point: 1,955°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Flash Point: Not combustible
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in hot acid
Specific Gravity: 6.72
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not relevant
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-igniting

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Conditions to Avoid: Generating excessive dust, exposure to strong acids or bases, contact with reducing agents and hydrogen, extreme heat can cause decomposition
Reactivity: May react with acids to form soluble nickel salts, may react with other oxidizable materials
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nickel fumes, nickel carbonyl (under strong reducing conditions)
Polymerization: Does not occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory tract irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath; oral LD₅₀ (rat) not well defined due to poor solubility
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged inhalation may cause lung fibrosis, nickel sensitization, allergic skin reactions, and increased risk of cancer
Carcinogenicity: Classified as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1), NTP Report on Carcinogens lists nickel oxide as a known human carcinogen
Skin/Eye Contact: Causes irritation, possible dermatitis after extended contact
Reproductive Effects: Animal studies show evidence of reproductive toxicity, epidemiological studies indicate possible risk to fertility in occupational settings
Other Effects: Nickel compounds may aggravate pre-existing lung and skin conditions such as eczema or asthma

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Nickel oxide is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms, can cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment, soil accumulation poses persistence risks
Persistence and Degradability: Compound persists in soils; not easily degradable under natural conditions
Bioaccumulation: Tendency to bioaccumulate in aquatic life forms, especially invertebrates and bottom-feeders
Mobility in Soil: Partially mobile under acidic conditions, more likely to leach with acidic runoff
Other Environmental Effects: Nickel found in soils from industrial releases can impact plant growth, pH changes may increase mobility and risk

Disposal Considerations

Safe Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations for toxic metals; use licensed hazardous waste hauler
Waste Codes: EPA Hazardous Waste Number D007 (for nickel-containing wastes)
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate containers if possible, otherwise dispose as hazardous material
Recycling Information: Some industrial nickel recovery processes can recover and recycle nickel from spent products

Transport Information

UN Number: UN3288
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, inorganic, n.o.s. (Nickel oxide)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic Substance)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Secure packaging to prevent dust release, follow transport authority regulations for toxic materials on all modes of transport

Regulatory Information

U.S. Regulations: OSHA regulated, listed in SARA Title III, Section 313; subject to reporting under CERCLA in certain quantities
International Designations: Listed as hazardous substance by the European Union under REACH; subject to Canadian WHMIS regulations as D2A (very toxic) and D2B (toxic); included in Australia’s National Inventory
Labelling Requirements: Containers must show product name, hazard pictograms, signal word, and full hazard statements according to GHS
Other Regulatory Notes: Employer must provide training on handling, storage, and emergency procedures; specific carcinogen control standards apply in many jurisdictions