Product Name: Potassium 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-Tridecafluorooctanesulphonate
Synonyms: PFOS potassium salt, Perfluorooctane sulfonate, Potassium PFOS
CAS Number: 2795-39-3
Recommended Use: Surfactants, industrial applications, specialty chemicals, laboratory research
Supplier Details: Manufacturer or distributor contact info, including address, phone number, and responsible personnel
Emergency Contact: ChemTrec or local emergency response service for chemical spills or exposures
Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal), eye irritation, aquatic chronic toxicity
Hazard Symbol: GHS07 (Exclamation Mark), GHS09 (Environmental Hazard)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation, may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation and ingestion, avoid contact with skin and eyes, wash thoroughly after handling, prevent release to environment, collect spillage
Chemical Name: Potassium 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-Tridecafluorooctanesulphonate
Formula: C8F13KO3S
Component: Potassium salt of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
Purity: Usually >95%
Impurities: May contain small quantities of related perfluorinated compounds, inorganic salts
Additives: None typically present unless specified by supplier
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately. Get medical attention in case of persistent cough or respiratory discomfort. Remove sources of exposure. Support breathing if needed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse exposed skin with plenty of water and mild soap for at least 15 minutes. Get medical advice for irritation, burns, or if symptoms continue.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with clean water for several minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical help.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting unless medical personnel advice. If individual is alert, sip water. Get immediate medical attention.
Suitable Extinguishing Methods: Water spray, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable Methods: Do not use water jet for large fires as it could spread contaminants
Fire Hazards: Not flammable, but may emit toxic fumes of hydrogen fluoride, sulfur oxides, and potassium oxides during combustion
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full chemical protective gear. Approach from upwind.
Other Instructions: Cool containers exposed to fire with water spray. Prevent chemical runoff into drains, soil, and water systems.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, goggles, and respirators if dust or vapor present
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from reaching sewers, watercourses, or the soil to avoid environmental contamination
Clean-Up Methods: Absorb spills with inert material such as earth, sand, or vermiculite. Place in chemical waste containers. Wash spill site after removal
Disposal: Handle all collected material as a hazardous waste according to local, regional, and national regulations. Label and seal all waste containers properly.
Handling: Work in a well-ventilated area, avoid inhalation, ingestion, and contact with skin or eyes. Wear PPE such as gloves, long-sleeved clothing, goggles, and, if necessary, respiratory protection. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use, and avoid creating dust or aerosols.
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location in original tightly-sealed containers. Keep away from food, beverages, and incompatible substances such as strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents. Ensure secondary containment in case of leaks or spills.
Exposure Limits: No OEL established for potassium PFOS. Minimize exposure as a precaution in absence of specific limit values.
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hoods, or local exhaust ventilation to control airborne concentrations.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), eye protection (goggles, face shields), lab coats, and, for large-scale handling or powder, respiratory protection appropriate for dusts (N95 or P100 filters).
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after use, remove contaminated clothing, and wash before reuse. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area.
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral in aqueous solution
Melting Point: 297–300°C (decomposes before melting)
Boiling Point: Not determined (decomposes)
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperatures
Solubility: Soluble in water, less so in organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): High, due to perfluorinated chain
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Specific Gravity: Approximately 1.7–2.0
Decomposition Temperature: Above 300°C, releases hazardous decomposition products like HF and SOx
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard laboratory conditions, moisture resistant
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, incompatible substances like strong acids and bases
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, reducing agents, strong acids and bases, metals that may catalyze decomposition
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, sulfur oxides, potassium oxides, potentially perfluorinated fragments on thermal decomposition
Polymerization: Does not polymerize under normal use
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Harmful if swallowed, causes irritation to eyes and possibly to respiratory and digestive tracts. May cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain if swallowed. Skin contact may lead to irritation.
Chronic Effects: Animal studies show liver and thyroid effects, as well as reproductive toxicity and tumor formation at high doses. Studies in people exposed to PFOS compounds link them to cholesterol increases and possible cancer risks.
Carcinogenicity: IARC and other agencies do not classify this compound, but related substances are considered possibly carcinogenic.
Sensitization: Not classified as a skin sensitizer but minimize contact to avoid dermatitis.
Other Health Hazards: Persistent and bioaccumulative profile may result in systemic effects after repeated exposures.
Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic flora and fauna. LC50 and EC50 values in the low microgram per liter range for fish, daphnia, and algae.
Persistence and Degradability: Highly persistent in the environment, does not degrade significantly through natural processes.
Bioaccumulation: Readily bioaccumulates in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, with high potential for food chain magnification.
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to the ionized sulfonate group combined with strongly hydrophobic perfluorinated chain.
Other Hazards: Binds to proteins, can be found in blood and tissues of wildlife and humans far from points of initial release.
Disposal Methods: Collect and dispose of solid waste material in accordance with local, regional, and national hazardous waste regulations. High-temperature incineration with appropriate scrubbers is commonly recommended for destruction of perfluorinated chemicals.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse containers before disposal, or manage as hazardous waste if residue present.
Environmental Precautions: Do not discharge to sewers, waterways, or soil. Notify authorities in case of large spills. Avoid landfill unless specifically permitted by environmental authorities.
Handling Incineration Residues: Residues may contain toxic fluorinated fragments and must be managed as hazardous waste.
UN Number: Not classified under major transportation codes
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for transport by air, sea, or land due to specific chemical properties, but handle as hazardous substance
Packaging Group: Not assigned
Hazard Class: Not directly assigned, treat as environmentally hazardous
Special Precautions: Pack in secured, labeled containers. Use secondary containment for larger shipments. Transport only by licensed carriers trained in chemical handling. Notify receiving facilities of product hazards.
Environmental Hazards: Mark as hazardous to the environment if required by local transport authorities.
US Regulations: Listed as a persistent organic pollutant, subject to significant restrictions for use and waste disposal under EPA rules and Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Included in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substances.
International Listings: Regulated under the Stockholm Convention (Annex B); subject to bans or severe restrictions in the European Union under REACH, and listed in the Regulation (EC) 850/2004.
OSHA: Not specifically regulated but handle in accordance with general duty clause for hazardous chemicals.
Workplace Safety: Safety training for PFOS handling required under hazard communication standards.
Other Requirements: Environmental monitoring and reporting as required by local authorities in case of accidental releases or waste generation.
Label Elements: GHS-compliant label required, including pictograms and hazard statements.
