Product Name: Zinc Borate 2335
Chemical Family: Inorganic Borate Compound
Synonyms: Zinc Borate Fire Retardant, Firebrake ZB
CAS Number: 138265-88-0
Manufacturer: List manufacturer name, address, and emergency contact number provided on packaging or official documentation
Recommended Use: Used in flame retardant systems for plastics, coatings, and rubbers
Restrictions: Avoid direct inhalation, avoid bringing near food or feed supplies, not intended for personal care applications
Emergency Telephone: Refer to product packaging for a valid emergency response hotline
Email Contact: Manufacturer’s customer service supported email for additional MSDS requests
Date of Preparation/Revision: Latest issue date (verify with packaging)
GHS Classification: Eye Irritation, Category 2A; Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure, Category 3
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation; may cause respiratory irritation if dust is inhaled
Pictograms: Exclamation mark inside a diamond
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective eyewear; avoid breathing dust; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas; wash hands after handling
Physical Hazards: White, odorless powder; can create slippery surfaces; may cause dust explosion when suspended
Environmental Hazards: Avoid releases to waterways; may cause harm to aquatic environments when disposed of in large quantities
Other Hazards: Trace constituents of heavy metals may be present which could add to toxic potential in rare cases
Chemical Name: Zinc Borate
Molecular Formula: 2ZnO•3B2O3•3.5H2O
CAS Number: 138265-88-0
Concentration: 99% or greater by weight
Impurities: May include trace minerals and heavy metals but rarely exceed 0.01%
Other Components: Water of hydration noted in structure; can lose hydration under strong heating
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if present; seek medical advice if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse; consult physician if irritation develops
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air; keep individual at rest; seek medical attention for continued coughing or difficulty breathing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; drink small amount of water to dilute; do not induce vomiting; obtain medical attention if symptoms occur
Notes for Physician: Treatment should address symptoms; no known antidotes specific for large zinc borate exposures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO2 to suppress surrounding fires; zinc borate itself does not burn
Specific Hazards: Generates irritating or toxic gas on excessive heating (decomposition may produce zinc or boron oxides)
Fire-Fighting Procedures: Wear full protective equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus; avoid dust development in the fire area
Explosion Risk: Fine dust can create explosive mixtures with air under rare, specific conditions
Protective Equipment: Eye protection, gloves, long-sleeved fire gear recommended at all times during response
Personal Precautions: Use PPE including dust mask, goggles, and gloves; avoid breathing dust and contact with skin or eyes
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to drains, surface water, or soil; contain material using barriers to avoid widespread dispersion
Spill Cleanup Methods: Gently sweep up and place in suitable labeled container; use HEPA vacuum for dust; wash spill area with water to remove residue
Disposal: Collect waste for proper local or national disposal; do not wash into sewage or stormwater drains
Handling Practices: Use with adequate ventilation; minimize dust formation; wear appropriate PPE; avoid handling near food or beverages
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers; keep dry and cool; avoid proximity to acids, alkalis, or oxidizing materials
Incompatible Materials: Contact with strong acids generates toxic boron and zinc-containing gases; moisture may cause caking
Other Notes: Label all storage containers clearly for content and hazard; train workers on handling protocols
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV for borates generally 2 mg/m3 inhalable; Zinc compounds OSHA PEL at 5 mg/m3 (respirable dust)
Engineering Controls: Respiratory dust extraction, local exhaust ventilation strongly recommended for mixing or processing
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved respirators for dust, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, long-sleeves
Hygiene Measures: Thorough handwashing after work, do not eat or drink around open containers, remove contaminated clothing at shift end
Appearance: Fine, white or off-white powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Softens above 290°C, decomposes above 350°C
Density: About 2.67 g/cm³
pH: 7.6 to 8.0 (suspension in water)
Solubility in Water: Low, less than 0.3 g/l (cold water)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable; product is non-volatile
Partition Coefficient: Not measured due to low solubility and non-volatile nature
Evaporation Rate: Not relevant for powder material
Other Physical Data: Bulk density between 0.4 and 0.7 g/cm³ depending on grade
Chemical Stability: Stable at normal temperatures and storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid contact with moisture (can cause clumping), extreme temperatures may drive off water of hydration
Materials to Avoid: Strong acids, strong oxidizers (forms toxic gases), metals susceptible to corrosion from borates
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Oxides of zinc and boron, water vapor, possible trace boron hydrides or metallic fumes
Polymerization: Will not undergo dangerous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) > 10,000 mg/kg; low toxicity for expected workplace exposures
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term inhalation may affect respiratory system; repeated high-dose ingestion linked to reproductive effects in animal studies
Skin/Eye Irritation: May cause significant eye irritation; mild, reversible skin irritation possible
Sensitization: No known skin sensitization in animal or human studies
Carcinogenicity: No component listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as a carcinogen
Other Health Effects: Dust may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions; medical surveillance suggested where workplace exposures may be high or uncontrolled
Eco-toxicity: Acute aquatic toxicity low for most aquatic species, LC50 (fish) >100 mg/L; borates can cause longer-term effects if heavily concentrated in water
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic material, not biodegradable; can persist and accumulate in soils at excessive discharge levels
Bioaccumulation: Uptake in aquatic biota is low; not a likely risk under normal use
Mobility in Soil: Limited due to low water solubility; leaching may occur in high rainfall or flood conditions
Results of PBT/vPvB assessment: Not classified as Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Toxic
Other Environmental Hazards: Spillage into waterways may disrupt boron-sensitive aquatic plants in extreme cases
Disposal Methods: Dispose in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental control regulations; landfill disposal often permitted for non-hazardous industrial waste
Container Disposal: Avoid reusing packaging; triple rinse and puncture before recycling or landfilling
Special Precautions: Avoid direct discharge to natural surface waters or storm drains; treat wastewaters for boron/zinc removal if needed
Unclean Packaging: Completely empty and clean; residual material requires classification as regular or hazardous waste depending on use scenario
UN Number: Not classified as a hazardous substance for transport
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated for ground, air, or sea
Packing Group: No assignment under global transport codes
Proper Shipping Name: Zinc Borate Compound
Special Transport Precautions: Keep containers well-sealed and dry during transit; protect from rough handling to reduce risk of spillage
Regulatory Requirements: Follow local guidelines for any transport above threshold quantities
OSHA Status: Not classified as a hazardous material under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Status: Listed on US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Not a Section 302, 304, 311/312, or 313 listed chemical
REACH Status: Pre-registered/registered in the EU by relevant manufacturers
State Regulations: Not listed under Proposition 65 for California; check local state lists
Other Listings: Listed or exempted on most major global chemical inventories, specific workplace controls may apply in some jurisdictions
Labeling Requirements: Product labels must include signal word, hazard pictogram, risk, and safety phrases as per regional GHS requirements
