MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

PRODUCT NAME: INDUSTRIAL NICKEL-CADMIUM STORAGE BATTERY

SAFT AMERICA Inc. For Chemical Emergency

711 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd. Spill, Leak, Fire, Exposure or Accident
Valdosta, GA 31601 Call CHEMTREC - Day or Night
Information: Phone 229-247-2331 800-424-9300
Fax 229-245-2880
SAFT BRAND INDUSTRIAL NICKEL CADMIUM STORAGE BATTERY
HMIS RATINGS 3 Health 1 Flammability 2 Reactivity

1. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Effects of Overexposure
Eye Effects: Contact with electrolyte solution inside battery causes very rapid, severe damage. Extremely corrosive
to eye tissues. May result in permanent blindness.
Skin Effects: Contact with electrolyte solution inside battery may cause serious burns to skin tissues. Contact with
nickel compounds may cause skin sensitization, resulting in chronic eczema or nickel itch.
Ingestion: Ingestion of electrolyte solution causes tissue damage to throat area and gastro/respiratory tract.
Ingestion of cadmium and/or nickel compounds causes nausea and intestinal disorders.
Inhalation: Mists generated during activation procedures may cause varying degrees of irritation to the nasal
mucous membranes and respiratory tract tissues varying from mild irritation of nasal mucous
membranes to damage of lung tissues proper. Inhalation of cadmium compounds may cause dry throat,
cough, headache, vomiting, chest pain, and/or chills. Excessive overexposure may result in pulmonary
edema, breathing difficulty, and prostration.
Carcinogenicity: NIOSH recommends that nickel and cadmium be treated as occupational carcinogens.

2. EMERGENCY FIRST AID

Battery Electrolyte (Electrolyte is 18-28% Potassium Hydroxide or KOH)
Eye Contact: Flush with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes. Get immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and flush affected areas with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Dilute by giving large volumes of water or milk. Get immediate medical
attention. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Give oxygen or artificial respiration if needed. Get immediate medical attention.
Nickel and Cadmium
Compounds
Skin contact: Wash with cold water and soap.

3. SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION

Perform activation procedures in a well-ventilated area. Battery operating areas must be well ventilated for removal of potentially
dangerous and harmful gases generated. Normal reactions inside the battery liberate explosive and flammable hydrogen gas.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved mist respirator during activation and actual usage to maintain exposure levels below
the TWA.
Eye Protection: Use splash goggles or face shield whenever handling a battery.
Hand Protection: If exposure to electrolyte solution or dried salts is likely, use any water-insoluble, non-permeable glove, i.e.,
synthetic rubber. DO NOT user leather or wool.
Other protective Equipment: Rubber boots, rubber apron or rainwear, or equivalent if exposure to electrolyte solution is likely.

4. REACTIVITY DATA
CAUTION: NEVER ACTIVATE OR TOP OFF WITH ACID.
Incompatibilities: Aluminum, zinc, tin and other active metals, acid, chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrocarbons,
halocarbons. Tricholorethylene will react with electrolyte solution to form dichloroacetylene which is spontaneously combustible.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nickel coumpounds, cadmium compounds, and potassium hydroxide.
Note that normal reactions inside battery liberate explosive and flammable hydrogen gas. Do not seal battery from atmosphere.
Hazardous Polymerization will not occur.

5. FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS

Case Material Polypropylene Acrylic Polysulfone
Melting Point 279°F 210°F 374°F
Decomposition (non-violent) 550°F
Auto Ignition 570° - 580°F 1022°F (550°C)
Extinguishing Media
CO2, Sand

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5. FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS - continued
Melting Point Boiling Point
Cadmium 608°F 1410°F
Cadmium Hydroxide N/A 2838°F (sublimes)
Nickel 2645°F 4950°F
Nickel Hydroxide N/A 445°F (Decomposes to NiO)
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Use self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid breathing toxic fumes. Wear protective clothing
and equipment to prevent potential body contact with electrolyte solution or mixture of water and electrolyte solution. Disconnect or
cut all cables to and from battery – especially ground connection.
Fire and Explosion Hazards: Electrolyte solution is corrosive to all human tissues. It will react violently with many organic chemicals,
especially nitrocarbons and chlorocarbons. Electrolyte solution reacts with zinc, aluminum, tin and other active materials releasing
flammable hydrogen gas.
Cadmium fumes may be released when batteries are subjected to high temperatures. In case of fire, do not breath smoke and
fumes!

6.0 INGREDIENTS CAS# EXPOSURE LIMITS QUANTITY

Cadmium (as Cadmium and 7440-43-9 5.0 ug/m3 dust – OSHA 8%
Cadmium Hydroxide) 21041-95-2 0.05 mg/m3 ACGIH CEILING-Fume
Nickel ( as Nickel and 7440-02-0 1 mg/m3 – OSHA 9%
Nickel Hydroxide) 1205-44-87
3
Cobalt (as Cobalt Hydroxide) 7440-48-4 0.1 mg/m dust – OSHA ≈ 0.2%
Electrolyte Solution (18-28% KOH) 1310-58-3 2 mg/m3 ACGIH CEILING-Air 29%
Acrylic Polymer Container None Established – OSHA ≈ 10%
Polysulfone Container None Established – OSHA ≈ 10%
Polypropylene container None Established – OSHA ≈ 10%
Lithium Hydroxide 1310-66-3 None Established – OSHA < 1%
Graphite 15 Mg/m3 use respirator ≈ 3%
Steel None Established – OSHA ≈ 39%

7. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Boiling Point - Not Applicable Melting Point - Not applicable
Vapor Pressure - 2 mm Hg at 68°F Vapor Density - Not applicable
Specific Gravity - 1.170 - 1.250 (electrolyte) Evaporation Rate - Not Determined
Solubility in Water - Electrolyte solution is completely soluble. Remainder - is insoluble

8. SPILL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Small electrolyte solution spills (up to 5 gallons): Flush with water and neutralize with dilute citric acid.
Large spills: Contain material in suitable containers or holding area. DO NOT allow material to enter sewers, streams, or storm
conduits. Recover material with vacuum truck and dispose of properly.
Reportable Quantity: 1000 pounds. 40 CFR-117.13.

9. DISPOSAL INFORMATION
Nickel-cadmium storage batteries are universal wastes under RCRA. They may be returned to SAFT for recycling.
These batteries are TCLP Toxic. These batteries and the electrolyte solution they contain are considered to be corrosives. If not
recycled, they must be disposed of in accordance with all federal, state, and local hazardous waste regulations.

10. PRECAUTIONS AND COMMENTS

These batteries may be highly charged and are capable of high energy discharge. Care should be taken to handle them properly to
avoid shorting or misuse that will result in a rapid, uncontrolled electrical, chemical, or heat energy release.
Do not transport activated batteries without vent caps in place.
When removing battery from service, visually inspect for leakage prior to handling. If leakage has occurred follow Spill Management
Procedures.
Do not allow an exposed flame or spark to come near the cells.

11. EPCRA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Section 313 Supplier Notification – This product contains the following EPCRA Section 313 chemicals subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 313 if the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (40 CFR 372):
CAS # Chemical Name Percent by Weight
7440-43-9 Cadmium 8%
7440-02-0 Nickel 9%
7440-48-4 Cobalt 0.2%
A copy of this MSDS may be required to be filed with your local emergency planning commission, state emergency response
commission, and local fire department in accordance with sections of the Emergency Planning and Community right-To-Know Act.

12. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Batteries being forwarded or being returned to Saft for repair should be shipped as Hazardous Material using the following description:
Batteries, Wet, Filled with Alkali, 8, UN2795, PG III.
Spent batteries being sent to Saft for recycling should be shipped as Universal Waste using the following description:
Used Batteries, Wet, Filled with Alkali, 8, UN2795, PG III.

Revision Date: 02/09/04

Disclaimer: This information has been complied for sources considered to be dependable and is, to the best of our knowledge and belief, accurate and reliable as of the dated
compiled. However, no representation, warranty (either expressed or implied) or guarantee is made to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained
herein. This information relates to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or in any process. It is
the user’s responsibility to satisfy himself as to the suitability and completeness of this information for his own particular use. We do not accept liability for any loss or damage
that may occur, whether direct, indirect, incidental or consequential, from the use of this information nor do we offer warranty against patent infringement. Additional information
is available by calling the telephone number above designated for this purpose.

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