CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE DATASHEET
CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION | |
Chemical name | Zinc |
Synonyms | Zinc dust, zinc powder, blue powder [6] |
IUPAC name | zinc [1] |
CAS No | 7440-66-6 [1] |
REACH registration number |
|
EC No | 231-175-3 [1] |
Molecular formula | Zn |
Substance group/chemical family | Mono constituent substance, Metal, Transition metal |
Appearance Physical state Odour Form Colour |
solid at 20°C and 1013 hPa [1] odourless [1] powder or massive metal [1] light grey (powder) or shiny silver (metal) [1] |
USES AND HANDLING ISSUES | |
Relevant identified uses | Zinc uses range from metal products to rubber and medicines. About three-fourths of zinc used is consumed as metal, mainly as a coating to protect iron and steel from corrosion (galvanized metal), as alloying metal to make bronze and brass, as zinc-based die casting alloy, and as rolled zinc. The remaining one-fourth is consumed as zinc compounds mainly by the rubber, chemical, paint, and agricultural industries. Zinc oxide is used as a white pigment in watercolours or paints, and as an activator in the rubber industry. As a pigment, zinc is used in plastics, cosmetics, photocopier paper, wallpaper, printing inks etc, while in rubber production its role is to act as a catalyst during manufacture and as a heat disperser in the final product. Zinc metal is included in most single tablet, it is believed to possess anti-oxidant properties, which protect against premature aging of the skin and muscles of the body. Zinc is also a necessary element for proper growth and development of humans, animals, and plants; it is the second most common trace metal, after iron, naturally found in the human body. [2, 5] |
Handling considerations | Precautions for safe handling: Avoid raising dust. Keep away from naked flames/heat. Observe strict hygiene. On (re)melting down: dry and preheat installation before use. Add only dry material to the metal bath. |
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES | |
Molecular weight | 65.38 g/mol [2] |
Bulk density/Specific gravity | 6.9 g/cm3 (in powder form) [1] 7.1 g/cm3 (in particulate form) [1] |
pH |
|
Particle size |
|
EC |
|
Melting point | 409°C in air (zinc powder) [1] 416°C in air (cast zinc particles) [1] |
Boiling point | 907 °C [2] |
Flash point |
|
Flammability | Highly flammable (zinc dust) [2], Auto-ignition: 460 °C [2] |
Vapour density |
|
Vapour pressure |
|
Solubility in water | 0.1 mg/L at 20°C [1] zinc dust: insoluble in water [2] |
Solubility in organic solvents |
|
Solubility in inorganic solvents |
|
Hydrolysis | According to Annex IX of REACH Regulation, information on hydrolysis is not required for inorganics [1] |
Ionicity in water |
|
Surface tension |
|
Dispersion properties |
|
Specific surface |
|
Stability and reactivity | |
Chemical stability | Stable in dry air; becomes covered with white coating of basic carbonate on exposure to moist air. [2] |
Reactivity hazards | Strongly electropositive; zinc foil will ignite in the presence of moisture. [2] Zinc reacts violently with oxidants and powdered sulfur causing fire and explosion hazards. [2] When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of zinc oxide. [2] |
Corrosivity |
|
Polimerization |
|
Incompatibility with various substances |
|
Special remarks on reactivity | Soluble in acids and alkalies [2] Slowly attacked by H2SO4 or HCl; oxidizing agents or metal ions (e.g., Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+) accelerate the process; reacts slowly with ammonia water and acetic acid; rapidly with HNO3; reacts with alkali hydroxides to form "zincates", (ZnO2)2-, which are actually hydroxo complexes, such as (Zn(OH)3)-, (Zn(OH)4)2-, ((Zn(OH)4(H2O)2))2- [2] Zinc is attacked by carbon dioxide & sulfur dioxide resulting chiefly in a coating of hydrated basic carbonate of variable composition; hydrogen peroxide may be formed in the process. [2] |
Physical, chemical and biological coefficient | |
Koc |
|
Kow |
|
pKa |
|
log Kp | Freshwater: solid particulate matter and water (Kpsusp): 5.04 (log value) Sediment (Zn): Kpsed : 73.000 l/kg. (ECB 2008) Marine water: Kpwater/suspended matter: 6010 l/kg Soil: Kpsolids-water: 158.5 l/kg (log value 2.2) [1] |
Henry-constant |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND BEHAVIOUR | |
Artificial pollution sources | Zinc occurs naturally in air, water and soil, but zinc concentrations are rising unnaturally, due to addition of zinc through human activities. Most zinc is added during industrial activities, such as mining, coal and waste combustion and steel processing. [5] Emissions to air, water and soil can occur at all stages of production and processing of zinc, particularly from mining and refining of zinc ores, and from galvanising plants. Sewage treatment plants and waste sites for industrial and household wastes can be sources of zinc levels harmful to the environment. Corrosion of galvanised structures can release zinc into soil and water. Uncontrolled release from application of fertilisers or herbicides may be possible. Wear and tear of car tyres and fuel combustion can contribute to elevated levels of zinc in roadside dust. [6] |
General terrestrial fate | Zinc attaches to soil and sediment particles and most of the zinc will stay bound. Some zinc will move into the ground water and into lakes, streams, and rivers where it combines with other organic or inorganic matter. [6] |
General aquatic fate | Zinc can be transported as dissolved compounds in natural waters. [6] |
General atmospheric fate | Zinc can be transported as particles released into the atmosphere. Zinc attaches to dust particles in the air which settle to the ground or are taken out of the air by rain. [6] |
General persistence and degradability |
|
Abiotic degradation and metabolites |
|
Biodegradation and metabolites |
|
Bioconcentration |
|
Volatilization |
|
Photolysis |
|
Hydrolysis |
|
Soil adsorption and mobility |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS | |
Measured data | The content of Zn in natural (unfertilized and uncontaminated) soil is related to the chemical composition of the parent rock and the extent of weathering processes. The natural zinc content of soils is estimated to be 1–300 mg/kg. In the magmatic rocks it ranges from 40 to 120 mg/kg whereas in the sedimentary rocks its contents vary from 80 to 120 mg/kg in argillaceous sediments and shales to only 15–30 mg/kg in sandstones and 10–25 mg/kg in limestones and dolomites. [7] In natural surface waters, the concentration of zinc is usually below 10 μg/litre, and in groundwaters, 10–40 μg/litre [8]. In tapwater, the zinc concentration can be much higher as a result of the leaching of zinc from piping and fittings [9]. |
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION | |
General adverse effects on ecosystem | |
Acute toxicity (LC50, EC50) | |
Aquatic systems | LC50 (fish) at neutral/high pH low hardness: 0.169 mg Zn/l (Oncorrhynchus Mykiss) [1] LC50 (fish) at low pH, high hardness: 0.780 mg Zn/l (Pimephales promelas) [1] LC50 (fish) at neutral/high pH, high hardness: 0.330 mg Zn/l (Pimephales promelas) [1] EC50 (aquatic invertebrates) Ceriodapnia dubia: EC50: 0.413 mg Zn/l at low pH and low hardness EC50: >0.53 mg Zn/l at high pH and low hardness EC50: 0.147 mg Zn/l at neutral/high pH and low hardness EC50: 0.228 mg Zn/l at neutral/high pH and high hardness [1] Freshwater algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) IC50: 0.136 mg Zn/l (neutral/high pH [1] |
Terrestrial systems |
|
Chronic toxicity (NOEC, LOEC) | |
Aquatic systems | Freshwater: Data on 13 species available. NOECs: 0.037-0.400 mg Zn/l (dissolved concentrations) (Aquatic invertebrates) Freshwater: Data on 7 species available. NOECs: 0.044-0.530 mg Zn/l (dissolved concentrations) (fish) Freshwater algae (Pseudokircherniella subcapitata=Selenastrum capricornutum), NOEC: 0.019 mg Zn/l [1] Marine algae: NOEC: 0.0078-0.67 mg Zn/l [1] Multi-cellular algae species, NOEC: 0.06 mg Zn/l [1] Higher aquatic plant species, NOEC >0.65mg Zn /l [1] |
Terrestrial systems | Worms: 37 NOEC or EC10 values cover 6 different worm species and vary from 35.7 mg Zn/kg for Enchytraeus albidus to 1634 mg Zn/kg dw for Lumbricus terrestris . [1] Arthrophodes: Twenty-four NOEC/EC10 values are available for toxicity of Zn to reproduction of terrestrial arthropods, representing 2 different species and ranging between 14.6 and 1000 mg Zn/kg dw (both for Folsomia candida). [1] Plants: NOEC and EC10 values vary between 32 mg Zn/kgdw for Trifolium pratense and Vicia sativa to 5855 mg Zn/kg dw for Triticum aestivum. [1] All toxicity data are expressed as added Zn concentration in soil, based on either the nominal dose added or on measured, background corrected soil Zn concentrations. |
HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS and PROTECTION | |
Routes of human exposures | inhalation, dermal contact, eye contact, ingestion |
General effects | Even though zinc is an essential requirement for a healthy body, too much zinc can be harmful. Excessive absorption of zinc can also suppress copper and iron absorption. The required daily intake for adult humans is about 15 mg/day. The average dietary zinc intake in adults is 14-20 mg/day and is thus sufficient for nutritional needs. The free zinc ion in solution is highly toxic to plants, invertebrates, and even vertebrate fish. [2] |
Endocrine disruption |
|
Mutagenicity |
|
Carcinogenicity | No adequate experimental animal studies are available to evaluate the carcinogenicity of zinc compounds in humans [1] |
Reprotoxicity |
|
Teratogenicity | Under the conditions of the test, administration of up to 88 mg/kg bw of unspecified zinc sulphate (ca. 35.2 mg or 19.9 mg Zn2+/kg bw, for anhydrate and heptahydrate, respectively) had no adverse effects on adult hamsters and their foetuses. |
Skin, eye and respiratory irritations | Key studies demonstrate a lack of irritation/corrosion potential [1] No acute skin symptoms expected. Eye symptoms: redness. Inhalation symptoms: Cough. [2] |
Metabolism: absorption, distribution & excretion | Ingestion symptoms: Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting. [2] |
Exposure limits | Regulatory OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): 15 mg/m3 (Zinc oxide dust) Calculated OSHA PEL, 8-hour TWA (Time weighted average): 10 mg/m3 (Zinc oxide dust) National Board of Occupational Safety and Health, Sweden (1993): 8-hour TWA: 5 mg/m3 (Zn oxide fumes) [4] Denmark: 8-hour TWA: 4 mg/m3 (Zn oxide fumes) [4] Denmark: 8-hour TWA: 10 mg/m3 (Zn oxide dust) [4] |
Drinking water MAC |
|
Other information |
|
Animal toxicity data | |
Acute toxicity (LD50) | LD50>2000 mg/kg bw (oral, rat) [1] LC50 > 5.41 mg/L/4h (inhalation, rat) [1] LD50: 630 mg/kg ( oral, rats) [2] |
Chronic toxicity (NOEL, LOEL) | |
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS | |
EINECS regulation | ̵listed on EINECS (European INventory of Existing Commercial chemical Substances) List |
OSHA regulations etc. |
|
|
|
OTHER INFORMATION, SPECIAL REMARKS | |
Classification and proposed labelling with regard to toxicological data | Aquatic acute 1: Aquatic chronic 1: Signal word: Danger |
|
|
CREATED, LAST UPDATE | |
Created | 2019. 04. 04. |
Last update | 2019. 04. 10. |
REFERENCES | |
[1] ECHA, European Chemical Agency, https://echa.europa.eu/hu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/16146/1 Accessed: 2019.04.04-04.09. [2] Pubchem ZINC Dust (Compound), https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/zinc#section=Chemical-and-Physical-Properties Accessed: 2019.04.09 [3] United States Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/dsg/annotated-pels/tablez-1.html Accessed: 2019.04.09 [4] European Union Risk Assessment Report, ZnO, EUR 21171 EN https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/cc20582a-d359-4722-8cb6-42f1736dc820, Accessed: 2019.04.09 [5] Lenntech. Water treatment solutions. https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/zn.htm, Accessed: 2019.04.10 [6] Natural Pollutant Inventory, Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Energy. Fact sheets. Zinc and compounds. http://www.npi.gov.au/resource/zinc-and-compounds, Accessed: 2019.04.10 [7] Noulas Ch., Tziouvalekas M., Karyotis Th. (2018) Zinc in soils, water and food crops, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 49 (2018) 252–260, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.02.009 [8] Elinder CG. (1986) Zinc. In: Friberg L, Nordberg GF, Vouk VB, eds. Handbook on the toxicology of metals, 2nd ed. Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1986:664-679. [9] Nriagu JO (1980) ed. Zinc in the environment. Part I, Ecological cycling. New York, NY, John Wiley. | |