Product Name: Gallium Arsenide
Chemical Formula: GaAs
CAS Number: 1303-00-0
Common Uses: Semiconductor, photovoltaic cells, microwave circuits, light-emitting diodes, laser diodes
Supplier Details: Address and emergency contact vary by region, refer to packaging
Other Identifiers: GaAs, gallium monoarsenide
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Inhalation, Oral), Carcinogenicity, Specific target organ toxicity
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled; suspected of causing cancer; causes damage to organs; harmful to aquatic life
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, health hazard
Precautionary Statements: Use protective gear, avoid dust and fumes, clean spills promptly, do not eat or drink near material
Chemical: Gallium Arsenide
Percent Purity: Typically above 99.99%
Synonyms: GaAs
Impurities: Trace amounts of gallium and arsenic compounds possible; refer to certificate of analysis for batch specifics
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, seek immediate medical attention, monitor for respiratory distress
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical advice if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, consult medical help
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek urgent medical care for evaluation of arsenic exposure
Advice for Medical Professionals: Symptomatic treatment, monitor for signs of arsenic poisoning, observe for delayed symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, sand, or foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray may cause contamination or reactive splatter
Specific Hazards: Gallium arsenide fumes may produce toxic arsenic oxides when heated to decomposition
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Use full protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Precautions: Move containers from fire area if safe, decontaminate equipment after fire-fighting operation
Personal Precautions: Wear respiratory protection, impervious gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection; restrict access to spill area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent movement of material to soil, waterways, or drainage systems to avoid contamination
Methods for Cleanup: Carefully collect spilled fragments and powders; avoid raising dust; use a disposable damp cloth or vacuum equipped with HEPA filter for residues; place waste in labeled, sealed containers for proper disposal
Decontamination: Clean area with appropriate cleaning agents after removal of visible material; ventilate area well before reuse
Incident Reporting: Notify regulatory authorities based on local regulations
Safe Handling Advice: Ensure adequate ventilation; minimize dust generation; handle only in designated areas with appropriate engineering controls; avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; never eat, drink, or smoke in areas where material is handled; wash hands thoroughly after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed, clearly labeled containers; keep in a temperature-controlled, dry, well-ventilated environment away from incompatible materials such as acids and oxidizers; store away from foodstuffs and out of reach of unauthorized personnel
Other Precautions: Inspect stored material regularly for container integrity; implement spill contingency measures
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: Arsenic, inorganic: 0.01 mg/m3 (as As); NIOSH REL: 0.002 mg/m3 (as As)
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods or local exhaust ventilation systems for dust control; ensure general area ventilation meets national standards
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection (NIOSH-approved respirator), safety goggles, full-length lab coat, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), protective footwear
Hygiene Measures: Change contaminated clothing immediately, do not launder contaminated items at home, use dedicated storage for work attire
Appearance: Silver-gray, brittle crystals or powder
Odor: Odorless in solid form
Molecular Weight: 144.64 g/mol
Melting Point: Around 1238°C (2260°F)
Boiling Point: Sublimates at about 1600°C (2912°F)
Density: 5.32 g/cm3 at 25°C
Solubility: Insoluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Other Properties: Conducts electricity, semiconducting properties, reactiveness increases with temperature and particle surface area
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions; will decompose at high temperatures or in presence of strong acids, releasing toxic gases
Reactivity: Reacts with acids, oxidizing agents, bases, halogens; may release hydrogen gas or arsenic oxides upon decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to excessive heat, mechanical shock, water (for powders), incompatibilities listed above
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Arsenic oxides, gallium oxides, hydrogen arsenide (arsine) under extreme conditions
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if inhaled or ingested; arsenic component classified as human carcinogen (IARC Group 1)
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure may cause skin, lung, bladder, and other organ cancers; neurological impairments; kidney and liver toxicity; blood disorders
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Symptoms of Exposure: Cough, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, irritation of mucous membranes, in severe cases coma or death
Other Data: Genetic mutations, reproductive risks, cumulative body burden possible from chronic low-level exposure
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life; arsenic accumulates in water and sediments; bioaccumulation in food chains reported
Persistence and Degradability: Persists in environment, potential for long-range transport in air or water
Mobility in Soil: Poor mobility in solid form but mobility increases with dissolution
Bioaccumulative Potential: Both gallium and arsenic accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic organisms; arsenic especially problematic due to chronic toxicity
Other Adverse Effects: Disruption of microbial communities, increased risk to higher organisms, potential contamination of water supplies near industrial operations
Waste Procedures: Handle as hazardous waste according to federal, state, and local regulations; utilize licensed hazardous waste contractors for disposal
Container Disposal: Decontaminate and triple-rinse empty containers if possible, otherwise treat as hazardous waste
Sewage Disposal Prohibition: Never release material or solutions containing it into public sewers, natural water systems, or storm drains
Recycling and Recovery: Recycling options limited due to toxicity; safe recovery by licensed processors only; avoid landfill disposal due to groundwater and soil risk
Environmental Precautions: Document waste quantities and disposal routes; conduct environmental monitoring if handling large amounts
UN Number: 1557
UN Proper Shipping Name: Gallium arsenide
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Label Requirements: Toxic
Special Precautions: Guard against breakage and dust formation during transit; notify carriers of material hazards
Regulatory Compliance: Follow national and international regulations for transport (DOT, IATA, IMDG) including documentation and handling protocols
Restrictions: Some jurisdictions may require special permits or restrict import/export
Classification: Carcinogen, Toxic Substance under OSHA and EPA standards
OSHA Status: Regulated under Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Sections 302, 313 as extremely hazardous and toxic chemical
TSCA Status: Listed
International Regulation: Included in REACH, DSL, AICS, other chemical inventories
Other Notes: Users must comply with worker protection standards, emission controls, and environmental permitting relevant to location and activity
Workplace Warning: Clear labeling, hazard communication, and emergency response planning required by law