Dipotassium oxide

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General advice

Consult a physician. Show  this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.

Inhalation

Potential for exposure by inhalation if aerosols or mists are generated. Move victims into fresh air.

With labored breathing: Provide with oxygen. Consult a doctor.

If the casualty is not breathing: Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, notify emergency physician immediately.

Skin contact

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Eye contact

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Blue haze and halo.

Consult an ophthalmologist immediately if the symptoms persist.

Ingestion

Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Medical attention and special treatment:

Treat symptomatically.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing media

Suitable Extinguishing Media:

The product is not combustible. In case of fire use powder, carbon dioxide.

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media:

Water. Do not use water jet as an extinguisher, as  reacts violently with fire extinguishing agents such as water.

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

The solution in water is a strong base. It reacts violently with acid and is corrosive. Reacts violently with water. This produces potassium hydroxide. Attacks many metals in the presence of water.

Advice for firefighters and special protective equipment:

Promptly isolate the scene by removing all persons from the vicinity of the incident if there is a fire. No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training.

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture:

Soluble in water. The oxides of potassium react with water vigorously and with enough evolution of heat to cause boiling and spattering of hot caustic solution.

Accidental release measures

Personal precautions:

Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.

Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust.

Environmental precautions:

Prevent product from entering drains.

Do not allow to reach the sewage system, the ground or natural water bodies.

Methods for containment:

Eliminate all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks, or flames in immediate area). Stop the flow of material, if this is without risk. Dike the spilled material, where this is possible. Collect spillage. Prevent entry into waterways, sewer, basements or confined areas.

Methods for cleaning up:

Sweep up and shovel. Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wet-brushing and place in container for disposal according to local regulations . Do not flush with water. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Large Spills: Stop the flow of material, if this is without risk. Dike the spilled material, where this is possible. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Do not allow material to contaminate ground water system. Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite, sand or earth to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.

Small Spills: Wipe up with absorbent material (e.g. cloth, fleece). Clean surface thoroughly to remove residual contamination.

Handling and storage

Handling:

Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. Do not get this material in contact with eyes. Do not get this material in contact with skin.

Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear personal protective equipment.

Wash thoroughly after handling. Avoid release to the environment.

Storage:

Store in a closed container away from incompatible materials. Store in a well-ventilated place.

Keep container dry. Store away from incompatible materials.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

2033

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Proper shipping name: Potassium monoxide
ADR/RID: 2033

Chemical name:

Potassium oxide

Language:

English

Labels:

8

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

2033

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

UN proper shipping name:Potassium monoxide
ADR/RID: Potassium monoxide
IMDG: Potassium monoxide
IATA:Potassium monoxide

Chemical name:

Potassium oxide

Language:

English

Labels:

8

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This classification is valid for Potassium oxide

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

2033

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Potassium oxide
UN proper shipping name:Potassium monoxide
ADR/RID: Potassium monoxide
IMDG: Potassium monoxide
IATA:Potassium monoxide

Chemical name:

Potassium oxide

Labels:

8

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This classification is valid for Potassium oxide

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

2033

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

UN proper shipping name: Potassium monoxide
ADR/RID:Potassium monoxide
IMDG:Potassium monoxide
IATA: Potassium monoxide

Chemical name:

Potassium oxide

Labels:

8

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This classification is valid for Potassium monoxide

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Technical protection measures

-Technical conditions and measures:

-Containment: enclosure and automation of mixing process as far as possible and contain area around mixing tank to ensure that exposure level is at acceptable level (PROC4, PROC21, PROC3, PROC2, PROC14, PROC23, PROC24,PROC25, PROC15, PROC8b).

-Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) in mixing step regarding the exposure to carbon disulphide via inhalation route.

-General ventilation: Regarding exposure via inhalation route and hazard from the substance Good general ventilation (3 – 5 air changes per hour) is sufficient to keep the exposure via inhalation at acceptable level. Monitoring of Sulfuric acid emissions from the mixing area and during cleaning and maintenance are recommended when applicable

Organisational measures:

-Environmental, health and safety guidelines or written instructions on the standard operating procedure (SOP) are utilized

-Occupational health and safety management system: basic / advanced

-Environment, health and safety (EHS) responsibilities are defined and assigned in writing

-Emergency action plans (Rescue training for accidental emissions) are created

-Personnel are trained in environment, health and safety issues, i.e. in safe handling of chemicals and good housekeeping

-Good hygiene measures practiced

-It is assumed that a comprehensive PPE program is implemented including selection, fit testing, training in use, maintenance and recording, as appropriate

-Exposure should be controlled primarily by avoidance of contact with the substance, for instance by limiting duration of activity, minimization of manual phases and by minimization of staff exposed

Appropriate engineering controls:

Ensure ventilation is adequate and that air concentrations of decomposition product(s) is/are controlled below quoted Exposure Standards. Avoid generating and breathing in dusts. Use with local exhaust ventilation or while wearing dust mask. Keep containers closed when not in use.

Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.

Personal protective equipment:

Eye/face protection

Safety glasses with side-shields conforming to EN166 Use equipment for eye protection tested

and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).

Skin protection

Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.

Wash and dry hands.

The selected protective gloves have to satisfy the specifications of EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the standard EN 374 derived from it.

Body Protection

Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected

according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.

Respiratory protection

For nuisance exposures use type P95 (US) or type P1 (EU EN 143) particle respirator.For higher

level protection use type OV/AG/P99 (US) or type ABEK-P2 (EU EN 143) respirator cartridges.

Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards

such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

Occupational Exposure Limits:

No value assigned for this specific material by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. However, it may pose a health risk. Always follow safe work practices.

Stability and reactivity

STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Stability: Stable under normal ambient and anticipated storage and handling conditions of temperature and pressure.

Reactivity

The solution in water is a strong base. It reacts violently with acid and is corrosive. Reacts violently with water. This produces potassium hydroxide. Attacks many metals in the presence of water.  No hazardous reactions if stored and handled as prescribed/indicated.

Possibility of hazardous reactions

Reacts violently with water.Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous reactions will not occur.

Conditions to avoid

Do not allow water to enter container because of violent reaction.

Exposure to moisture

Incompatible materials

Strong acids, Alcohols, Strong reducing agents, Powdered metals

Hazardous decomposition products

Under normal conditions of storage and use, hazardous decomposition products should not be produced.

Reacts violently with water. This produces potassium hydroxide.

Disposal considerations

Waste treatment methods

Method of disposal: The generation of waste should be avoided or minimised wherever possible. Avoid dispersal of spilt material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers. Disposal of this product, solutions and any by-products should at all times comply with the requirements of environmental protection and waste disposal legislation and any regional local authority requirements.

Hazardous waste: The classification of the product may meet the criteria for hazardous waste. European waste Catalogue: The relevant EU Directives and local, regional and national regulations must be complied with. It is among the tasks of the end user to assign the waste to waste codes specific to industrial sectors and processes according to the European Waste catalogue. It is recommended that the details be agreed with the waste disposer responsible.

Packaging

Methods of disposal: The generation of waste should be avoided or minimised wherever possible. Waste packaging should be recycled. Incineration or landfill should only be considered when recycling is not feasible.

Special precautions: This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way. Care should be taken when handling emptied containers that have not been cleaned or rinsed out. Empty containers or liners may retain some product residues. Avoid dispersal of spilt material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers.