Health and Handling

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on the chelating agents are available from Dow and should be reviewed before handling these products. In the United States and Canada, call 1-800-447-4369 to obtain Safety Data Sheets. In other global areas, call +1-989-832-1560. Or Contact Us directly through this web site.

1. Ingestion. These products have a low acute oral toxicity. The single dose oral LD50 value for VERSENE* 220 crystals is between 600 and 1200 mg/kg for rats. Oral LD50 values for other products are 1000 mg/kg or higher in rats. Hence, these products should present no problem from ingestion under expected conditions of industrial handling.
   
   
2. Eye Contact. Liquid VERSENE, VERSENEX*, and VERSENOL* chelating agents contain a small quantity of free caustic. Because of the presence of the free caustic, contact of these products with the eye may cause severe irritation with corneal injury, and may result in permanent injury, even blindness.
   
   Other VERSENE products, both dry and ammoniated, are slightly to moderately painful and irritating, and may cause some transient mild corneal injury if the exposure is severe. Thus these materials can present a hazard from eye contact.
   
   
3. Skin Contact. Both the dry and liquid products are capable of causing slight to moderate irritation, even a mild burn, upon repeated or prolonged skin contact. A short single skin contact should result in slight skin irritation from those products containing free caustic. VERSENE chelating agents present an irritation hazard from skin contact but are not absorbed through the skin in acutely toxic amounts.
   
   
4. Inhalation. Dusty atmospheres may be irritating to the nose and upper respiratory tract. Inhalation of mists containing free caustic, if formed may also be irritating to the nose and upper respiratory tract.
   
   Dust can occur when handling solids or when liquid materials are allowed to dry. Accumulation of these fine dust particles could pose a dust explosion hazard. Dust should not be permitted to reach critical combustion levels in air.
   
   
5. Dilution. Dilution of these products reduces the handling hazards. Use concentrations of 1% or less are not irritating to the skin or eyes.
   

Precautions for Handling: First Aid

1. Ingestion. If VERSENE chelating agents are ingested, do not induce vomiting. The affected person should drink large amounts of water or milk and seek medical attention immediately. If other VERSENE products are ingested, vomiting should be induced.
   
   
2. Eye Contact. For VERSENE 100, VERSENEX 80, and VERSENOL 120 chelating agents, eye contact must be avoided. Chemical workers’ goggles are required for protection. In addition, an eye fountain and washing facilities should be near the work area. If the eyes are exposed to these products, they should be immediately and continuously flushed with plenty of low-pressure flowing water for 30 minutes. Prompt medical attention is essential.
   
   With dry chelant products and ammoniated products, suitable eye protection such as chemical goggles, safety glasses or their equivalent should be worn. Eye exposure to dry and ammoniated products requires immediate and continuous flushed with plenty of low-pressure flowing water for 5 to 15 minutes. Prompt medical attention is recommended.
   
   
3. Skin Contact. These products require no special precautions to handle them safely. However, they may cause moderate irritation if the exposures are extensive and prolonged or repeated. Therefore, reasonable care and cleanliness should be practiced to avoid skin contact with these materials. Impervious clothing is recommended when prolonged or repeated contact to VERSENE 100, VERSENEX 80, or VERSENOL 120 chelating agents could occur. Should skin contact occur, the affected area should be washed with plenty of water.
   
   
4. Inhalation. Nasal or upper respiratory irritation which might be caused when working with the dried forms of these products may be avoided by proper venting or by operating in an area with good natural ventilation. Airborne concentrations of ammonia and sodium hydroxide must be controlled below the ACGIH and OSHA exposure guidelines when using products containing these ingredients. Consult the Safety Data Sheets for specific products to obtain more detailed information.
   

Customer Notice

Dow encourages its customers to independently review their applications of Dow products from the standpoint of human health and environmental quality. It is important that each customer ensure that Dow products are not used in ways for which they are not intended or tested.

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