ALERT Manganese Dioxide

[Ian]

To add to the confusion......

The MnO2 in Chemwatch refers to the product from Tennant Trading PtyLtd in Neutral Bay. Its CAS No is 1313-13-9, and it is Cancer causing. The MnO2 on MY shelf is from Chem Supply in Port Adelaide. It has the exact same CAS No.(1313-13-9) (therefore it is the EXACT SAME PRODUCT) but in the Chem Supply MSDS, issued in April 2011, about half way down page 4, it says, quote "Carcinogenicity: No evidence of carcinogenic properties"

Now, go figure that!!!

Ian

[RosalieM]

Dime, I think Ian was referring to the potassium iodide in relation to harming the unborn child.

I looked up manganese dioxide and got the extreme one. It does seem a bit radical to change it (in the school, with the amounts we use) as it says MAY cause cancer. No proof yet. I remember reading somewhere that magnetic fields may cause cancer too, but we haven't got rid of all the magnets!

[merilyn]

I update our MSDSs when they have gone past their date ie five years from date of issue. This is a real problem when things change whilst the MSDS is still current. Checking them each year may be beneficial, but I'm thinking of the amount of extra work And if we check them every year, changes could be made the week after you check them - where do you start and where do you finish!
I wonder what Workcover have to say on this?

[Labbie]

THANK YOU ThANK YOU KJT. I have now exported my chemical register to excel, and can see straight away when a MSDS needs updating. Thank you Thank you.

And a very big welcome to chemtalk.

[Ian]

Dime, I think Ian was referring to the potassium iodide in relation to harming the unborn child.

Sorry DIME, Rosalie is correct! It is the KI that kills unborn babies. MnO₂ just causes cancer in their mothers!

Ian

[lizzieb]

Thanks, guys. I have moved mine MnO2 to 5.1 and updated my chemical register.

Like kjt I also have a column at the end for the MSDS year of issue, with those that are nearing 5 yrs highlighted so I can see at a glance what needs updating and do that once a year.

[linotas]

Ok, silly question, how do I export my chemwatch manifest to excel?
Sounds like the easiest way to go.

[JelJane]

Don't pretend to be very good at Chemwatch, but when I looked up manganese IV oxide, it came up with two.
1. Merck Manganese (IV) oxide powder with Moderate hazard rating, and no mention of cancer warning
2. Manganese dioxide with Extreme hazard rating, and cancer warning.
It would seem to me that they are exactly the same product, so it depends on which one you choose to read. This is where Chemwatch is confusing. Whilst it is better to err on the side of caution, one must take into account the way a chemical is used in a school. I think this is what CSIS is all about. Other oxidisers are rated Green dot for use with 7-12. So whilst I will change the label to 5.1, I will leave it as a green dot, until the dept changes it in an update.
I'm happy to blame my new glasses, but I couldn't see where it mentioned harm to unborn on either of these summaries. But happy to stand corrected.

I think the carcinogenicity is based on the level of crystalline silica in the product, which is an impurity in Manganese (IV) Oxide (in the Technical grade it can be as high as 4%), crystalline silica causes silicosis through inhalation and can lead to lung cancer. So I guess it depends on the purity of the manganese (IV) oxide.

[fibreweb]

Whilst I can see the need to remain alert, I do not feel the need to panic.

From my research I agree with JelJane that the carcinogenic ingredient is the crystaline silica and I think the kids would be more exposed to that when they are using fine beach sand which is used relatively frequently and in much larger quantities than the small amount of manganese dioxide used with hydrogen peroxide .

Just about everything nowdays is claimed to cause cancer from our flourescent lights to your breakfast toast.

Remember the MSDS for Junket tells us to wear impermiable gloves and a face mask!

Whilst I shall also move it to the Oxidiser section, it will keep it's green dot.

Please don't berate me if you feel differently.

[JelJane]

FYI, the NZ EPA classify Manganese (IV) dioxide as 6.1B, 6.9A - no mention of the 5.1 status! Life is very confusing when not everybody agrees!

[Labbie]

Help for manifest to excel.
once in chemwatch, click on manifest, once displayed. to go Report generator (Red icon with small whilte on it) A list of categories is displayed, go through each one and chose which you would like. eg chossing folders/store name (With full path)
when you have selected which fields you would like. put a tick in the excel checkbox at the bottom of the screen and click submit. Save it in your documents. If it is not quite want you would like, you can do it again.

[judyjolly]

Thanks for the info everyone, I wouldn't have known either
Judy

[lurra]

Hi All
I have just got some chemicals I ordered and one of them was Manganese Dioxide. now in 2009 the bottle had an Oxidizing lable on it the new bottle I have just got has no Oxidizing label on so what dose one do ?????
Same company Chem Supply
So may be the ALert was for large amounts not for the amount we use

[Krysia Lee]

Can anyone tell me if Potassium iodide is the alternative to Manganese dioxide for oxygen gas. I know its on here somewhere

[AnnNos]

We use potassium permanganate.

[Graham Kemp]

Can anyone tell me if Potassium iodide is the alternative to Manganese dioxide for oxygen gas. I know its on here somewhere

Yes, potassium iodide should catalyse the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. And indeed it works as well as expected.

I just slipped some 6% peroxide into a test tube and dropped in saturated KI. It's bubbling away nicely.

It's a two step catalytic reaction.
H2O2 + I{-} = IO{-} + H2O
IO{-} + H2O2 = I{-} + H2O + O2

[Ian]

I think that is how the "Elephant's Tooth Paste" experiment works, isn't it. You add a bit of detergent to catch the O2 bubbles that make foam.

Ian

[Graham Kemp]

Yes.

[rae]

Graham did you use saturated KI or solid KI?

[Graham Kemp]

Graham did you use saturated KI or solid KI?

I used saturated as it was handy for the test, but solid will work just as well.