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Material Safety Data Sheet
RHODIUM POWDER MSDS No. 30000
Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification
Product/Chemical Name: Rhodium Powder
Chemical Formula: Rh
CAS Number: 7440-16-6
Trade Name: Rhodium Powder
Chemical Family: Platinum group metal
Manufacturer: Johnson Matthey, 2001 Nolte Drive, West Deptford, NJ 08066, USA
Emergency Phone: (856) 384-7050
Section 2 - Composition / Information on Ingredients
Revision: 1/08/10
Ingredient Name CAS Number % wt or
% vol
Rhodium 7440-16-6 100%
Hazardous Ingredients:
OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV
TWA TWA
Insoluble rhodium compound
WARNING: Hazardous dust
* Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory
0.1 mg/m3 as Rh 1 mg/m3 as Rh
Section 3 - Hazards Identification
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Potential Health Effects
Primary Entry Routes: Inhalation
Target Organs: Not known
Acute Effects
Inhalation: Not known
Eye: Mild irritation possible
Skin: Mild irritation possible
Ingestion: Not known
Carcinogenicity: IARC, NTP, and OSHA do not list this product as a carcinogen.
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Long-Term Exposure: No data
Chronic Effects: None known
Other: Non toxic by oral ingestion (LD50, rat >2000 mg/kg) and non-irritation to skin and eyes according to test on rabbits.
Signs and symptoms of irritation are itching, redness and swelling, and in severe cases, burning and pain at the site of
exposure. Irritation should stop when exposure id discontinued and first aid procedures are followed. There are no
documented effects of overexposure to Rhodium metal.
Section 4 - First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, administer artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give
oxygen. Get immediate medical attention.
Eye Contact: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes including beneath eyelids. Remove contacts/glasses while flushing.
Get immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Wash area with soap and water while removing contaminated clothing. Wash for at least 15 minutes. Get
immediate medical attention. Wash clothing/shoes thoroughly before reuse.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Give person large amounts of water. Do not give anything to an unconscious
person. Get immediate medical attention.
Section 5 - Fire-Fighting Measures
Johnson Matthey

MSDS No. 30000 RHODIUM POWDER revision: 1/08/10
Flash Point: N/A, Non flammable
Flash Point Method: Not applicable
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
LEL: Not applicable
UEL: Not applicable
Extinguishing Media: Water, foam, dry chemical, CO 2
Unusual Fire or Explosion Hazards: There is a potential for fire when Rhodium dust is exposed to heat or flame. Rhodium will
react violently with Chlorine triflouride and oxygen diflouride.
Hazardous Combustion Products:
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Do not release runoff from fire control methods to sewers or waterways.
Fire-Fighting Equipment: Wear NIOSH/MSHA approved pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus. Wear flame
and chemical resistant clothing, hard hat, gloves and boots. Evacuate immediate area.
Page 2 of 4
Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures
Spill /Leak Procedures: Prevent wastage; conserve, accumulate spent residues wipes, etc. for recovery of precious metal. Wear
protective clothing as in Section 8.
Containment: For large spills, dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Do not release into sewers or waterways.
Cleanup: Return accumulated residues, wipes, mops, sand and vermiculite to refinery for metals recovery. Store material in inert
containers such as polyethylene or polypropylene which have chemical identification and hazard warning information.
Regulatory Requirements: Follow applicable federal, state and local regulations for packaging, labeling, manifesting,
transportation and disposal.
Section 7 - Handling and Storage
Handling Precautions: Follow good industrial hygiene and housekeeping practices. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working
with this material. Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics and at the end of
the work shift. Do not breathe dust or mist and do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. A shower and
clothing policy should be established depending on the potential for exposure.
Storage Requirements: Store in a cool, dry, secure area away from incompatible materials and conditions. Use proper labeling in
accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Section 8 - Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Engineering Controls:
Ventilation:
Local Exhaust: Fume hood at point of generation.
Provide general or local exhaust ventilation systems to maintain airborne concentrations below OSHA PELs
(Sec. 2). Local exhaust ventilation is preferred because it prevents contaminant dispersion into the work area by
controlling it at its source.
Administrative Controls:
Respiratory Protection: If there is a possibility that the TLV's or PEL's may be exceeded, a NIOSH/MSHA approved full-face
piece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter cartridge is the recommended minimum level
of respiratory protection. To ensure proper respirator selection and use, refer to the requirements of
29 CFR 1910.134 and the latest edition of ANSI Z 88.2.
Select respirator based on its suitability to provide adequate worker protection for given working
conditions, level of airborne contamination, and presence of sufficient oxygen. For emergency or
non-routine operations (cleaning spills, reactor vessels, or storage tanks), wear an SCBA.
If respirators are used, OSHA requires a written
respiratory protection program that includes at least: medical certification, training, fit-testing,
periodic environmental monitoring, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and convenient, sanitary
storage areas.
Protective Clothing/Equipment:
Protective Gloves: Rubber, impervious gloves to chemicals and conditions encountered.
Eye Protection: OSHA, ANSI approved safety goggles/glasses. Contact lenses are not protective devices. Appropriate eye-
and face-protection must be worn instead of, or in conjunction with contact lenses.
Protective Clothing: Wear disposable protective clothing to facilitate recovery of precious metal after spill. Protective clothing
includes lab coat and apron, flame and chemical resistant coveralls, and boots/safety shoes to prevent
prolonged or repeated skin contact.

evision: 1/08/10 RHODIUM POWDER MSDS No. 30000
Safety Stations: Where there is a possibility that an employee’s eyes may be exposed to the product, an eyewash fountain
should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. Safety drench shower and hygienic
facilities are available in production areas.
Comments: Follow good industrial hygiene and housekeeping practices. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working with
this material. Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics and at the end of the
work shift. Do not breathe dust or mist and do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. A shower and
clothing policy should be established depending on the potential for exposure.
Physical State: Crystals or powder
Appearance and Odor: gray powder; odor not known
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Vapor Density (Air=1): Not applicable
Formula Weight: 253.81
Density: Not applicable
Specific Gravity (H2O=1): Not applicable
pH: Not applicable
Stability: Stable
Polymerization: Hazardous polymerization will not occur.
Chemical Incompatibilities: None known
Conditions to Avoid: None known
Hazardous Decomposition Products: None known
Eye Effects: Not known
Skin Effects: Not known
Ecotoxicity: Not known
Environmental Fate: Not known
Environmental Transport: Not known
Environmental Degradation: Not known
Soil Absorption/Mobility: Not known
Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties
Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity
Section 11- Toxicological Information
Toxicity Data:
Water Solubility: Negligible.
Other Solubilities: Insoluble in most solvents.
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Freezing/Melting Point: Melting - 1100°C decomp.
Viscosity: Not applicable
Refractive Index: Not applicable
Surface Tension: Not applicable
% Volatile: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Acute Inhalation Effects: Not known
Acute Oral Effects: Not known
Section 12 - Ecological Information
Section 13 - Disposal Considerations
Disposal: Return accumulated residues, wipes, mops, sand and vermiculite to precious metal refinery for metal recovery.
Disposal Regulatory Requirements: Follow federal, state, and local regulations for packaging, labeling, manifesting,
transportation and disposal.
Shipping Name:
Technical Name:
Hazard Class:
UN No.:
Packing Group:
Label:
Canadian WHMIS Classification:
Section 14 - Transport Information
DOT Transportation Data (49 CFR 172.101):
Non
Hazardous
Page 3 of 4

MSDS No. 30000 RHODIUM POWDER revision: 1/08/10
Page 4 of 4
Section 15 - Regulatory Information
EPA Regulations:
RCRA Hazardous Waste Number: Not listed (40 CFR 261.33)
RCRA Hazardous Waste Classification (40 CFR 261): Not classified
CERCLA Hazardous Substance (40 CFR 302.4), Sec. 3001; CWA, Sec. 311 (b)(4); CWA, Sec. 307(a), CAA, Sec. 112: Not listed
CERCLA Reportable Quantity (RQ): None known
SARA 311/312 Codes: Not listed
SARA Toxic Chemical (40 CFR 372.65): Not listed
SARA EHS (Extremely Hazardous Substance) (40 CFR 355): Not listed
TSCA: Listed in TSCA Inventory
OSHA Regulations:
Air Contaminant (29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1)
State Regulations: None known
Section 16 - Other Information
Prepared By: Paul Vincent
Revision Notes: Updated to the ANSI/CMA 16 Section MSDS Format on 7/16/01. Update ER phone number 11/14/07
Disclaimer: Employers should use this information only as a supplement to other information gathered by them. and should make
independent judgment of suitability of this information to ensure proper use and protect the health and safety of employees. This
information is furnished without warranty, and any use of the product not in conformance with this Material Safety Data Sheet, or
in combination with any other product or process, is the responsibility of the user.