MSDS Commentary: Perfluoroheptanoic Acid

Identification

Chemical Name: Perfluoroheptanoic Acid
Common Names: Heptadecafluoroheptanoic acid
Chemical Formula: C7HF13O2
Molecular Weight: 364.06 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline powder or solid
Odor: No distinct odor detectable under most conditions

Hazard Identification

Hazard Class: Acute toxic, hazardous to aquatic environment
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: May cause respiratory irritation, suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child, causes skin and eye irritation, toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Potential Health Effects: Respiratory issues, liver effects, likely persistent in human tissue upon chronic exposure
Pictograms: Health hazard, exclamation mark, environmental hazard

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Perfluoroheptanoic Acid
Purity: Generally above 95% for laboratory use
Impurities: Possible residual perfluoroalkyl acids of similar structure, but limited information available

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, monitor for difficulty breathing, seek medical attention for any acute effects like coughing, tightness in chest, or dizziness
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water, persistent irritation may call for medical consultation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with plenty of water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, consult medical professionals immediately due to risk of gastrointestinal irritation and systemic effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Methods: Dry chemical, CO2, foam, avoid water if chemical runoff risk exists
Fire Hazards: Substance is not highly flammable but may decompose under intense heat to release toxic and corrosive fumes such as hydrogen fluoride, carbon oxides, and perfluorinated fragments
Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Other Hazards: Contaminated run-off from fire control should not reach soil or waterways due to high persistence and toxicity

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use appropriate respiratory, skin, and eye protection, avoid dust generation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage or runoff from contaminating groundwater, sewer systems, or natural water sources
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully with minimal dust creation, place in labeled containers for proper disposal, ventilate area thoroughly, decontaminate surfaces with suitable agents
Spill Response: Immediately report significant spills to environmental agencies as per local regulations, maintain strict controls to limit spread

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid inhalation and direct contact, work in well-ventilated spaces, apply local exhaust ventilation when possible, never handle near open flames
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers away from strong oxidizers, heat sources, and direct sunlight, keep in dedicated chemical storage areas with secondary containment, segregate from food and animal feed
Special Notes: Monitor for periodic leaks or compromise of containers, maintain accurate inventories due to regulatory oversight and potential for long-term contamination

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, local exhaust systems, and enclosed processes lower airborne amounts
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, standard lab coats or disposable suits, eye protection like goggles, NIOSH approved respirators for fine powder or dusty environments
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing promptly, do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling, wash hands and face thoroughly before breaks and upon finishing work
Environmental Controls: Utilize spill containment measures around storage and handling sites, have absorbent materials and neutralizers on hand

Physical and Chemical Properties

Form: Solid, crystalline
Color: White or off-white
Melting Point: Approximately 70-80°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Limited in water, greater in organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low, unlikely to volatilize under ambient conditions
Odor Threshold: Not distinguishable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at standard temperature and pressure under normal conditions
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents, forms toxic decomposition products when heated strongly
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, carbon oxides, perfluorinated degradation products
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur under standard laboratory situations

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact; animal studies point toward moderate acute toxicity
Chronic Exposure: Studies connect prolonged exposure to immune, liver, and reproductive effects, persistent bioaccumulation documented in mammals
Potential Sensitization: Skin and respiratory system may develop increased sensitivity with regular contact
Carcinogenicity: Not conclusively listed as carcinogen by major global authorities, but related perfluorinated compounds have raised concerns over endocrine and cancer risks
Target Organs: Liver, immune system, kidneys

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Persistent in soil and water, highly resistant to environmental degradation
Bioaccumulation: Tends to concentrate in aquatic organisms, builds up throughout food webs
Ecotoxicity: Notable toxic effects on aquatic invertebrates and fish, negative impacts observed in amphibians and some terrestrial organisms
Mobility: Moderate to high in water, minimal in air
Degradation: Negligible degradation under normal environmental conditions, perfluorinated structure resists natural breakdown

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: Send waste for high-temperature incineration where possible, avoid landfill due to leaching and groundwater risks
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers before disposal as hazardous waste, do not reuse empty containers
Legal Restrictions: Regulations often ban casual disposal and mandate controlled handling through licensed hazardous waste facilities

Transport Information

UN Number: Subject to assignment depending on concentration and packaging
Shipping Classification: Often considered hazardous for both domestic and international transport by road, air, and sea; seek specialized carriers
Packing Group: Typically listed as substances harmful to environment
Transport Precautions: Secure packaging to prevent spills, include documentation of hazard class and spill response

Regulatory Information

Global Regulations: Increasingly subject to restriction under international treaties and national laws
Occupational Limits: No universal workplace exposure limits yet, but several countries recommend extremely low tolerances
Environmental Controls: Listed under persistent organic pollutant guidelines in some jurisdictions, tracking and reporting often required for users and handlers
Usage Restrictions: Watching regulatory status closely becomes important due to rapid updates and new risk data, especially in manufacturing and laboratory settings