Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LANTHANUM(II) SULFIDE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Intermediate.

SYNONYMS

LaS2, "lanthanum sulfide", "lanthanum disulfide"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.

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.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  If ingested, sulfide salts can form hydrogen sulfide, causing headache, cyanosis, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, tremors and convulsions.  

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).  The dust may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  Alkaline sulfides are strong local irritants to mucous membranes and skin.  

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.  Headache, fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and loss of libido have all  been attributed to chronic low-level exposure to hydrogen sulfide.  These might also be due to damage produced by isolated or repeated,  unmeasured peak high level exposures in healthy persons or those suffering  from pre-existing neurologic disease.  Lanthanum is one of the rare earth metals - light type (cerium family). Rare earth metals have not been shown to have toxic effects, but dust inhalation can still cause scarring of the lungs.