Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYDROGEN TETRACHLOROAURATE(1-)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent.

SYNONYMS

AuCl4H.aq, "aurate(1-), tetrachloro-, hydrogen", "auric acid", "brown gold chloride",
"chloroauric acid hydrated", "gold trichloride hydrochloride", "hydrogen
tetrachloroaurate (III)", "hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III)", "tetrachloroauric acid"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are by accidental skin and eye contact andinhalation of generated dusts.  Skin disruptions following contact with gold or its compounds (for example in treating rheumatoid arthritis) are characterized as chronic eruption of spots, redness, and sloughing. There may be swelling of the face and ankle, a red rash around the mouth and generalized red patches. Systemic exposure may produce inflammation of the mouth and skin,  reduction in the number of platelets and white blood cells, agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. There may be a gray-blue pigmentation in the skin and mucous membranes. Gold may deposit in the eyes, producing inflammation and ulceration of the cornea.