Date of Issue:
11 May 2021
SAFETY DATA SHEET
1. SUBSTANCE AND SOURCE IDENTIFICATION
Product Identifier
SRM Number: 3118a
SRM Name: Gadolinium (Gd) Standard Solution
Other Means of Identification: Not applicable.
Recommended Use of This Material and Restrictions of Use
This Standard Reference Material (SRM) is intended for use as a primary calibration standard for the quantitative
determination of gadolinium. A unit of SRM 3118a consists of five 10 mL sealed borosilicate glass ampoules of
an acidified aqueous solution prepared gravimetrically to contain a known mass fraction of gadolinium.
Company Information
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Standard Reference Materials Program
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2300
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2300
Telephone: 301-975-2200 Emergency Telephone ChemTrec:
E-mail: SRMMSDS@nist.gov 1-800-424-9300 (North America)
Website: https://www.nist.gov/srm +1-703-527-3887 (International)
2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classification
Physical Hazard: Not classified.
Health Hazard: Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 1B
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation Category 1
Label Elements
Symbol
Signal Word
DANGER
Hazard Statement(s)
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Precautionary Statement(s)
P260 Do not breathe fumes, mists, vapors, or spray.
P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection.
P301 + P330 + P331 If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P303 + P361 + P353 If on skin (or hair): Remove immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with
water.
P304 + P340 If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
P305 + P351 + P338 If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses,
if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P310 Immediately call a doctor.
P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P405 Store locked up.
SRM 3118a Page 1 of 6
P501 Dispose of contents and container according to local regulations.
Hazards Not Otherwise Classified: Not applicable.
Ingredients(s) with Unknown Acute Toxicity: Not applicable.
3. COMPOSITION AND INFORMATION ON HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
Substance: Gadolinium in nitric acid solution
Other Designations:
Nitric acid (Aqua fortis; hydrogen nitrate; azotic acid; engraver’s acid)
Gadolinium nitrate [gadolinium nitrate pentahydrate; nitric acid, gadolinium(3+) salt]
NOTE: Gadolinium in nitric acid forms a solvated gadolinium nitrate salt.
Components are listed in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200; for the actual values see the NIST Certificate
of Analysis.
Hazardous Component(s) CAS Number EC Number Nominal Mass Concentration
(EINECS) (%)
Nitric acid 7697-37-2 231-714-2 <20
Gadolinium nitrate 52788-53-1 not applicable 2.8
Non-Hazardous Component(s)
Water 7732-18-5 231-791-2 <78
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Description of First Aid Measures:
Inhalation: If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. If not breathing, give artificial respiration
or oxygen by qualified personnel. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and
shoes. Get immediate medical attention. Thoroughly clean and dry contaminated clothing before reuse. Destroy
contaminated shoes.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes, including under the eyelids, with copious amounts of water for at least
15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: Contact a poison control center immediately for instructions. Do not induce vomiting. Give water to
rinse out mouth. Never give liquids to a person with reduced awareness or becoming unconscious. If vomiting
occurs, keep head lower than hips to prevent aspiration. If not breathing, give artificial respiration by qualified
personnel. Seek immediate medical attention.
Most Important Symptoms/Effects, Acute and Delayed: Acid burns to skin, eyes, and lungs.
Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary: If any of the above
symptoms are present, seek immediate medical attention.
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Fire and Explosion Hazards: Negligible fire hazard. See Section 9, “Physical and Chemical Properties” for
flammability properties.
Extinguishing Media:
Suitable: Use extinguishing media appropriate to the surrounding fire.
Unsuitable: None listed.
Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemicals: Thermal decomposition will produce oxides of nitrogen and
gadolinium.
Special Protective Equipment and Precautions for Fire-Fighters: Avoid inhalation of material or combustion
byproducts. Wear full protective clothing and NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
NFPA Ratings (0 = Minimal; 1 = Slight; 2 = Moderate; 3 = Serious; 4 = Severe)
Health = 3 Fire = 0 Reactivity = 0
SRM 3118a Page 2 of 6
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Personal Precautions, Protective Equipment and Emergency Procedures: Immediately contact emergency
personnel. Keep unnecessary personnel away. Use suitable protective equipment; see Section 8, “Exposure Controls
and Personal Protection”.
Methods and Materials for Containment and Clean up: Do not touch spilled material. Notify safety personnel
of spills. Absorb with sand or other non-combustible material. Collect spilled material in appropriate container for
disposal. Isolate hazard area and deny entry.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Safe Handling Precautions: See Section 8, “Exposure Controls and Personal Protection”. Handle glass ampoules
with care.
Storage: Store and handle in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Keep separated from
incompatible substances (See Section 10, “Stability and Reactivity”).
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
Exposure Limits:
Component: Nitric acid
NIOSH (REL): 5 mg/m3 (2 ppm) TWA
10 mg/m3 (4 ppm) STEL
65 mg/m3 (25 ppm) IDLH
ACGIH (TLV): 5 mg/m3 (2 ppm) TWA
10 mg/m3 (4 ppm) STEL
OSHA (PEL): 5 mg/m3 (2 ppm) TWA
Component: Gadolinium nitrate; No occupational limits established.
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure compliance with
applicable exposure limits.
Personal Protection: In accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132, subpart I, wear appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure to this material.
Respiratory Protection: If workplace conditions warrant a respirator, a respiratory protection program that
meets OSHA 29CFR 1910.134 must be followed. Refer to NIOSH 42 CFR 84 for applicable certified
respirators.
Eye/Face Protection: Wear splash resistant safety goggles with a face shield. An eyewash station should be
readily available near areas of use.
Skin and Body Protection: Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task
being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.
Chemical-resistant gloves should be worn at all times when handling chemicals.
SRM 3118a Page 3 of 6
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Descriptive Properties
Appearance (physical state, color, etc.): colorless to yellow liquid
Molecular Formula: not applicable
Molar Mass (g/mol): not applicable
Odor: irritating odor
Odor threshold (mg/m3): not available
pH: acidic
Evaporation rate: not available
Melting point/freezing point: not available
Relative Density as specific gravity (water = 1): not available
Vapor Pressure (mmHg): not available
Vapor Density (air = 1): not available
Viscosity: not available
Solubility(ies): soluble with water and alcohols
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): not available
Thermal Stability Properties
Autoignition Temperature: not applicable
Thermal Decomposition: not applicable
Initial boiling point and boiling range: not available
Explosive Limits, LEL (Volume %): not applicable
Explosive Limits, UEL (Volume %): not applicable
Flash Point: not applicable
Flammability (solid, gas): not applicable
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Reactivity: Stable at normal temperatures and pressure.
Stability: X Stable Unstable
Possible Hazardous Reactions: None listed.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid contact with combustible or incompatible materials. Keep out of water supplies and
sewers.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, combustible materials, halo carbons, amines, bases, oxidizing materials, metals,
halogens, metal salts, metal oxides, reducing agents, peroxides, metal carbide, cyanides.
Fire/Explosion Information: See Section 5, “Fire Fighting Measures”.
Hazardous Decomposition: Thermal decomposition will produce oxides of nitrogen and gadolinium compounds.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will Occur X Will Not Occur
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Route of Exposure: X Inhalation X Skin X Ingestion
Symptoms Related to the Physical, Chemical and Toxicological Characteristics: Burning pain and severe skin
corrosion, eye and lung damage.
Potential Health Effects (Acute, Chronic and Delayed):
Inhalation: Inhalation of nitric acid can damage the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Short term
exposure may cause irritation and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, coughing, choking, sore throat,
shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Long term exposure to acid fumes may cause damage to
teeth, bronchial irritation, chronic cough, bronchial pneumonia, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
SRM 3118a Page 4 of 6
Skin Contact: Nitric acid can cause severe skin burns. Severity of the damage depends on the concentration
and duration of exposure. Effects of acid burns may be delayed.
Eye Contact: Nitric acid can cause severe eye irritation, corneal burns, permanent eye damage, or blindness.
Severity of the damage depends on the concentration and duration of exposure.
Ingestion: Ingestion of this material is unlikely under normal conditions of use. If ingested, nitric acid can cause
severe burns and damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
Numerical Measures of Toxicity:
Acute Toxicity: Not classified.
Nitric acid, Rat, Inhalation LC50: 130 mg/m3 (4 h)
Gadolinium nitrate, Rat, Oral LD50: 3805 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: This SRM contains >1 % of nitric acid and it is classified as Category 1B.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: This SRM contains >1 % nitric acid and it is classified as Category 1.
Respiratory Sensitization: Not classified; no data available.
Skin Sensitization: Not classified; no data available.
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: Not classified; no data available.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified.
Listed as a Carcinogen/Potential Carcinogen Yes X No
Nitric acid and gadolinium nitrate are not listed by NTP, IARC or OSHA as a carcinogen/potential carcinogen.
Reproductive Toxicity: Not classified.
Nitric acid: Rat, Oral TDLo: 21 150 mg/kg (pregnant 1 d to 21 d)
Rat, Oral TDLo: 2345 mg/kg (pregnant 18 d)
Specific Target Organ Toxicity, Single Exposure: Not classified; no data available.
Specific Target Organ Toxicity, Repeated Exposure: Not classified; no data available.
Aspiration Hazard: No data available.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity Data:
Nitric acid: Starfish (Asterias rubens) LC50 [renewal/aerated water]: 100 mg/L to 300 mg/L (48 h)
Gadolinium nitrate: No data available.
Persistence and Degradability: No data available.
Bioaccumulative Potential: No data available.
Mobility in Soil: No data available.
Other Adverse effects: No data available.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Subject to
disposal regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR 262, Waste Numbers: D001, D002 (nitric acid); D001 (gadolinium nitrate).
14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
U.S. DOT and IATA: UN1760, Corrosive liquid, n.o.s. (contains nitric acid), Hazard Class 8, Packing Group II,
Excepted Quantities E2.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
U.S. Regulations:
CERCLA Sections 102a/103 (40 CFR 302.4): Nitric acid, 1000 lbs (454 kg) final RQ
SARA Title III Section 302 (40 CFR 355.30): Nitric acid, 1000 lbs (454 kg) final TPQ
SARA Title III Section 304 (40 CFR 355.40): Nitric acid, 1000 lbs (454 kg) EPCRA RQ
SARA Title III Section 313 (40 CFR 372.65): Nitric acid, 1 % de minimis concentration
SRM 3118a Page 5 of 6
OSHA Process Safety (29 CFR 1910.119): Regulated for nitric acid at higher concentrations
500 lbs TQ (≥94.5 % by weight)
SARA Title III Sections 311/312 Hazardous Categories (40 CFR 370.21):
ACUTE HEALTH: Yes.
CHRONIC HEALTH: No.
FIRE: No.
REACTIVE: No.
PRESSURE: No.
State Regulations:
California Proposition 65: Not listed.
U.S. TSCA Inventory: Nitric acid and gadolinium nitrate are listed.
TSCA 12(b), Export Notification: Not listed.
Canadian Regulations:
WHMIS Information: Not provided for this material.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Issue Date: 11 May 2021
Sources: ChemADVISOR, Inc., SDS Nitric Acid, 09 December 2015.
ChemADVISOR, Inc., SDS Gadolinium Nitrate, 09 December 2015.
CDC; NIOSH; NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards; Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Safety and
Health; Nitric Acid, 30 October 2019; available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0447.html
(accessed May 2021).
PubChem, Nitric Acid CAS No. 7697-37-2; available at
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/944 (accessed May 2021).
Key of Acronyms:
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Hygienists
ALI Annual Limit on Intake NTP National Toxicology Program
CAS Chemical Abstracts Service OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
Compensation, and Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
DOT Department of Transportation REL Recommended Exposure Limit
EC50 Effective Concentration, 50 % RM Reference Material
EINECS European Inventory of Existing Commercial RQ Reportable Quantity
Chemical Substances
EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know RTECS Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
Act
IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
IATA International Air Transport Association SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health SRM Standard Reference Material
LC50 Lethal Concentration, 50 % STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
LD50 Lethal Dose, 50 % STOT Specific Target Organ Toxicity
LEL Lower Explosive Limit TLV Threshold Limit Value
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet TPQ Threshold Planning Quantity
NFPA National Fire Protection Association TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health TWA Time Weighted Average
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology UEL Upper Explosive Limit
n.o.s. Not Otherwise Specified WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Disclaimer: The NIST SDS information is specific to the NIST product and is believed to be correct, based upon
our current knowledge. The SDS may not necessarily be all inclusive and should be used only as a guide. NIST does
not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. The only official source for specific values and
uncertainties is the certificate or report.
Users of this SRM should ensure that the SDS in their possession is current. This can be accomplished by contacting
the SRM Program: telephone (301) 975-2200; e-mail srmmsds@nist.gov; or via the Internet at
https://www.nist.gov/srm.
SRM 3118a Page 6 of 6