Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid Potassium Salt: An Urgent Look at Safety Data

Identification

Chemical Name: Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid Potassium Salt
Common Names: PFBS Potassium Salt
Synonyms: Potassium perfluorobutanesulfonate
Chemical Formula: C4F9KO3S
Appearance: White solid, usually delivered as a dry powder or crystalline flakes
Odor: Odorless
Uses: Surfactant applications, surface protection, stain-resistant coatings, research

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Often identified as eye and respiratory irritant, with increased concern over persistent environmental toxicity
Signal Words: Warning for health and aquatic risks
Health Hazards: Irritates eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure linked to possible organ damage based on animal studies
Environmental Hazards: Highly persistent in the environment, accumulates in water bodies, threatens aquatic life
Label Elements: GHS system often assigns exclamation mark, aquatic toxicity pictograms
Specific Concerns: High mobility, persistence, potential to bioaccumulate

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Component: Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, potassium salt
Chemical Percent: Purity often above 98% in industrial or laboratory use
Impurities: Trace perfluorinated compounds may be present due to manufacturing
CAS Number: 29420-49-3
Nature of Hazard: Perfluorinated structure resists breakdown

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Remove contact lenses, rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, contact poison control; do not induce vomiting
Symptoms to Watch: Redness, pain, irritation, coughing
Medical Attention: Longer exposure or repeated symptoms require professional assessment

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Non-flammable under normal conditions
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, foam, or dry chemical for surrounding fires
Special Hazards: Thermal decomposition emits hazardous gases including hydrogen fluoride, sulfur oxides
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus is essential
Firefighters’ Challenge: Dense, irritating fumes upon combustion; runoff may contaminate water sources

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Immediately ventilate area, avoid dust formation, use protective gloves and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further release, block product from reaching drains or open waterways
Methods for Cleanup: Sweep or scoop material into suitable, sealed container for safe disposal
Decontamination: Wash spill area thoroughly, dispose of cleaning materials as hazardous waste
Notification: Inform environmental authorities if significant release reaches water or soil

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas, minimize dust, do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly closed in dry, cool location
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, strong acids
Storage Life: Stable under recommended storage, label all containers carefully
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands and exposed skin after use, launder contaminated clothing before reuse

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OELs in most countries, but best practice suggests limiting dust and aerosol exposure
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, process enclosures, eye wash stations
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses with side shields, chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, NIOSH-approved respirators in dusty settings
Hygiene Measures: Strict personal cleanliness, do not touch eyes or face before washing
Special Sensitivities: Workers with preexisting skin or respiratory conditions may be more vulnerable

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White solid or crystalline powder
Melting Point: Decomposition observed before melting
Boiling Point: Decomposes at high temperature
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
Odor Threshold: Not established—essentially odorless
Molecular Weight: 338.19 g/mol
pH (aqueous solution): Ranges between 5 and 7
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Partition Coefficient: Strongly hydrophilic due to sulfonate group

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard conditions
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong acids or oxidizers with possible hazardous results
Decomposition Products: At high temperatures, breaks down to hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride, sulfur oxides
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged heating, incompatible chemicals, humidity extremes

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low acute oral and dermal toxicity but limited data for humans
Chronic Effects: Animal studies suggest possible effects on liver, blood, and thyroid after repeated exposure
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Symptoms: Irritation, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, possible nausea
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by major agencies, but concern exists due to persistence and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated chemicals
Other Health Risks: Yet unknown full impact of chronic low-level exposure typical near contaminated water sources

Ecological Information

Environmental Persistence: Highly persistent in soil and water; does not degrade easily
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate bioaccumulative potential compared to longer-chain PFCs, but still concerning
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, especially during long-term, low-level exposures
Fate in Environment: Highly mobile, detected in ground and surface water far from original sources
Decomposition: Remains largely unchanged in natural ecosystems, compounding future impacts
Long-Term Concerns: Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in ecosystems amplify health and remediation challenges

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment: Treat as hazardous chemical; do not discharge to environment
Recommended Disposal: Incineration at high temperatures with appropriate filtration for fluorinated emissions
Hazardous Waste Status: Many regions classify perfluorinated chemicals as hazardous waste
Reuse/Recovery: Not possible with current technology
Regulatory Drivers: Ongoing international scrutiny may tighten future disposal regulations

Transport Information

UN Number: Not always assigned; depends on regional rules
Transport Hazard Class: Not controlled as flammable or explosive, but treated with care due to toxicity and persistence
Packaging Requirements: Adequate containment to prevent leaks; clearly labeled as hazardous
Special Handling: Protection from rain, physical damage, and unauthorized access
Spill Measures: Immediate containment and cleanup procedures must accompany any transport route involving this chemical

Regulatory Information

International Status: Subject to increasing regulation under frameworks for persistent organic pollutants
Restricted Status: Some nations limit industrial use or emissions of perfluorinated compounds including PFBS salts
Labeling Requirements: GHS and national standards require hazard communication for workplace use
Ongoing Research: Many government agencies in North America, Europe, and Asia currently assess health and regulatory risks
Industry Accountability: Pressure mounts for transparent reporting, phase-out plans, and investment in safer alternatives
Public Health Agencies: Moving toward lower regulatory limits in drinking water and industrial releases