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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

First-aid measures

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion). The performed potassium hydroxide is a well known base which leads to aqueous solutions with a pH-value above 11.5. So keep in mind, that if contact via different routes occure first of all the reaction of potassium with water takes place. The described measures are in accordance with the reaction-product potassium hydroxide.

1 Description of first aid measures
General information:
· Take affected persons out of danger area and lay down.
· Immediately remove any clothing soiled by the product.
· In case of irregular breathing or respiratory arrest provide artificial respiration.

After inhalation:
· Supply fresh air or oxygen; call for doctor.
· In case of unconsciousness place patient stably in side position for transportation.

After skin contact:
· Immediately rinse with water.
· Call a doctor immediately.

After eye contact:
· IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
· Call a doctor immediately.

After swallowing:
· Rinse out mouth and then drink plenty of water.
· Do NOT induce vomiting.
· Call for a doctor immediately.

2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed No further relevant information available.

3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
No further relevant information available.

Fire-fighting measures

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).


1 Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing agents:
· Extinguish with dry agent.
· Use fire extinguishing methods suitable to surrounding conditions.

For safety reasons unsuitable extinguishing agents: Do not use water, foam or carbon dioxide to extinguish.

2 Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Formation of toxic gases is possible during heating or in case of fire.
In case of fire, the following can be released:
· Carbon monoxide
· Carbon dioxide
· Potassium oxides

Remove undamaged containers away from heat radiation.
Use water spray to knock down fire fumes if possible.

Accidental release measures

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).

1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
· Ensure adequate ventilation.
· Wear protective equipment. Keep unprotected persons away.
· Avoid formation of dust.
· Keep away from ignition sources.

2 Environmental precautions: Do not allow to enter sewers/ surface or ground water.

3 Methods and material for containment and cleaning up:
· Use neutralising agent.
· Pick up mechanically.
· Do not flush with water or aqueous cleansing agents
· Dispose of the material collected according to regulations.

Handling and storage

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).

1 Precautions for safe handling
· Prevent formation of dust.
· Any unavoidable deposit of dust must be regularly removed.
· Ensure good ventilation/exhaustion at the workplace.
· Handle under inert gas or under other appropriate inert conditions.

Information about fire and explosion protection:
· Dust can combine with air to form an explosive mixture.
· Keep ignition sources away - Do not smoke.
· Protect against electrostatic charges.

2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Storage:
· Requirements to be met by storerooms and receptacles: Store only in the original receptacle.
· Information about storage in one common storage facility: Store away from oxidising agents.
· Store under inert gas or under other appropriate inert conditions.

Further information about storage conditions:
· Keep container tightly sealed.
· Store in cool, dry conditions in well sealed receptacles.
· Protect from heat and direct sunlight.
· Never allow product to get in contact with water during storage.

3 Specific end use(s) No further relevant information available.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:
2257
Shippingopen allclose all
Labels:
4.3
SpecialProvisionsopen allclose all

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:
2257
Shippingopen allclose all
Labels:
4.3
Remarksopen allclose all

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:
2257
Shipping information
Proper shipping name and description:
POTASSIUM
Chemical name:
Potassium
Labels:
4.3
Remarksopen allclose all

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:
2257
Shipping information
Proper shipping name and description:
POTASSIUM
Chemical name:
Potassium
Labels:
4.3
Remarksopen allclose all
SpecialProvisionsopen allclose all

Exposure controls / personal protection

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).

1 Control parameters
Ingredients with limit values that require monitoring at the workplace: The product does not contain any relevant quantities of materials with critical values that have to be monitored at the workplace.

2 Exposure controls
Personal protective equipment:
General protective and hygienic measures:
· Do not eat, drink, smoke or sniff while working.
· Keep away from foodstuffs, beverages and feed.
· Immediately remove all soiled and contaminated clothing.
· Store protective clothing separately.
· Do not inhale gases / fumes / aerosols.
· Avoid contact with the eyes and skin.
· The usual precautionary measures are to be adhered to when handling chemicals.

Respiratory protection:
In case of brief exposure or low pollution use respiratory filter device. In case of intensive or longer exposure use self-contained respiratory protective device.

Protection of hands:
· Protective gloves
· Only use chemical-protective gloves with CE-labelling of category III.
· The glove material has to be impermeable and resistant to the product/ the substance/ the preparation.
· Selection of the glove material on consideration of the penetration times, rates of diffusion and the degradation.

Material of gloves
· The selection of the suitable gloves does not only depend on the material, but also on further marks of quality and varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
· Nitrile rubber

Penetration time of glove material
· The exact break through time has to be found out by the manufacturer of the protective gloves and has to be observed.
· 480 min

Eye protection: Safety glasses

Body protection: Protective work clothing

Stability and reactivity

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).

1 Reactivity No further relevant information available.

2 Chemical stability No decomposition if used and stored according to specifications.
Thermal decomposition / conditions to be avoided: No decomposition if used according to specifications.

3 Possibility of hazardous reactions: Reacts violently with water.

4 Conditions to avoid: Exposure to moisture

5 Incompatible materials:
Oxidizing agents, Carbon oxides, Reacts violently with water., Reacts with water to generate Hydrogen gas.

6 Hazardous decomposition products: No dangerous decomposition products known besides hydrogen gas which burns spontaneously with air (possibility of explosion).

Disposal considerations

Attention: Potassium reacts spontaneous with water to perform potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which burns spontaneous with air (possibility of explosion).

Waste treatment methods
· Recommendation: Must be specially treated adhering to official regulations.

Uncleaned packaging
· Recommendation: Disposal must be made according to official regulations.

Before disposal the potassium has to be destroyed by quenching with cooled isopropanole in an cooled vessel under inert conditions. After quenching all potassium, the remainig basic solution has to be neutralised and disposed according to official regulations.