Cadmium chloride (CAS 10108-64-2): storage and disposal
Cadmium chloride is a white, water soluble cadmium salt kept as legacy stock in school, college and university stores. It is toxic if swallowed, fatal if inhaled, may cause cancer and genetic defects, may damage fertility and the unborn child, and is very toxic to aquatic life. Dust is the route that makes it dangerous on a shelf, so handling is decided by keeping the jar shut and the powder undisturbed.
- CAS number
- 10108-64-2
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Inhalation decides where this goes, since the dust is rated fatal if inhaled and the salt may also cause cancer and genetic defects. A locked toxic cabinet with a stock record is the minimum, set at a height where nobody reaches overhead for a jar and risks dropping it. Away from food and drink, away from acids and oxidisers. Keep it somewhere dry as well, because the salt takes up moisture from the air and a weak cap lets it set into a hard mass. Anyone tempted to chip at that mass to use it creates exactly the dust the cabinet exists to prevent. Stock with no current use is better listed for removal than kept, especially in a school where nobody will ever need it.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Normal stock is a white crystalline solid, loose when dry. Because it draws moisture from the air, an old jar often shows clumps, a solid plug or a wet looking surface, and that points to a failing closure. It does not change the classification. Colour tells you little, as the salt stays white and few other visible signs appear with age. Container checks do more of the work: a corroded lid, white crust on the thread, a faded label or a failed seal. Fine white traces on the shelf deserve attention, because this is a substance where dust matters, and they should be left undisturbed and reported. A jar with no stock record is another finding worth writing down.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Record the label wording, including any hydrate given, along with the jar size, the amount left and whether the solid is loose or set hard. A lid that will not turn should be noted as it stands and left alone, as forcing it is a good way to raise dust. If powder traces lie on the outside, say so. These details decide how it is packed with other toxic solids in a lab pack, usually under 16 05 06*. A specialist collection is the only route. Cadmium is very toxic to aquatic life, so this salt must not go near a sink or drain, and it must not enter a general waste bin or skip. Nobody should try to treat it first.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: legacy stock.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H330 Fatal if inhaled.
- H340 May cause genetic defects.
- H350 May cause cancer.
- H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
The solid has set hard in the jar. Can we break it up to see how much is left?
No. Breaking it up raises dust from a salt rated fatal if inhaled. Give an estimate from the outside, note that it has set solid and leave the lid on. That description is enough for it to be grouped and packed for collection.
Should staff who may be pregnant be involved in clearing it?
Your own risk assessment decides who does what, and it should take account of the classification: it may damage fertility and the unborn child. A sensible arrangement keeps handling to a minimum, with the jar closed in the cabinet until collection, whoever is responsible for the store.
Could a school keep a small amount for a class demonstration?
That is a matter for your own risk assessment, but a salt that may cause cancer and genetic defects is hard to justify as demonstration stock. Keeping a jar means a locked store, a current record and regular checks, so most holders list it for removal.