Safety Data Sheet

- Research Use Only -

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1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product Name CdSe Quantum Dot Cores in Toluene

For Research and Development Use Only

Recommended Use Wave length conversion

Synonyms QD Cores in Toluene

Company Emergency 

Phone Number 650-331-2100

Supplier Address NANOSYS, Inc. 

2625 Hanover Street 

Palo Alto, CA 94304

2. HAZARDS INDENTIFICATION

3. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Chemical Name CAS-No Weight % 

Cadmium selenide (nano component) 1306-24-7 0.4 – 2.0%

Aliphatic Amine Proprietary 2.0-6.0% 

Aliphatic carboxylic acid Proprietary 2.8-8.4% 

Phosphine, trioctyl 4731-53-7 0.6 - 3.0%

Toluene 108-88-3 76.6-92.8%

WARNING!

Emergency Overview

Danger!

Fumes May Cause Eye And Respiratory Irritation.

May Be Harmful Or Fatal If Swallowed

May Cause Lung Damage

Overexposure May Cause CNS Depression

Breathing High Concentrations Can Cause Irregular Heartbeats Which May Be Fatal

Potential Reproductive Hazard

See Toxicological Information Section For More Information

Contains a known or suspected carcinogen.

Contains a known or suspected reproductive toxin.

Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Extremely Flammable Liquid And Vapor

Vapor May Cause Flash Fire Or Explosion

Material May Accumulate Static Charge

Stable

Appearance Orange Physical State Liquid Odor Aromatic, sweet
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4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Eye Contact In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at 

least 20 minutes. Get medical attention.

Skin Contact In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at 

least 20 minutes. Get medical attention. Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of 

water removing all contaminated clothes and shoes. Seek medical attention immediately.

Inhalation Inhalation may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms of overexposure 

may include fatigue, confusion, headache, dizziness and drowsiness. Move victim to fresh 

air. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is 

difficult. Get medical attention immediately.

Ingestion Swallowing may cause abdominal spasms and other symptoms that parallel over-exposure 

from inhalation. Aspiration of material into the lungs can cause chemical pneumonitis. Call 

a physician or Poison Control Center immediately. Do NOT induce vomiting. 

Protection of Medical First 

Responders 

Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to 

protect themselves and prevent spread of contamination. Provide this Material Safety Data 

Sheet to the attending Physician.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

Flammable Properties Highly Flammable 

Flash Point 4

oC (39F)

Suitable Extinguishing Media Dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide. Move containers from fire area if you can do it 

without risk. Dike fire-control water for later disposal. 

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media Do not scatter spilled material with high pressure water streams. 

Hazardous Combustion 

Products 

Harmful vapors can include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxides, carbon oxides and nitrogen 

oxides (NOx).

Explosion Data Sensitivity to 

Mechanical Impact Sensitivity to 

Static Discharge 

In the event of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes. Use water to spray to cool 

unopened containers.

Specific Hazards Arising from 

the Chemical 

Can be ignited easily and burns vigorously. Vapor from the solvent may accumulate in 

container headspace resulting in flammability hazard.

Protective Equipment and 

Precautions for Firefighters 

As in any fire, wear self-contained breathing apparatus pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH 

(approved or equivalent) and full protective gear. 

NFPA Health Hazard 2 Flammability 3 Stability 0 Physical and Chemical Hazards 

HMIS Health Hazard 2 Flammability 3 Physical Hazard 0 Personal Protection X

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Personal Precautions Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Avoid 

contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Use personal protective equipment.

Environmental Precautions Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Refer to protective 

measures listed in Sections 7 and 8.

Methods for Containment Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.

Methods for Cleaning Up Small Spills—Recommend use of alcohols to clean spills or machinery. Dispose of rags and 

wipes as hazardous waste per RCRA landfill or incineration. 

Large Spills—Ventilate area well. Cover liquid spill with inert absorbent material. Sweep or 

scoop up and transfer to properly labeled containers. Clean contaminated surface 

thoroughly using alcohol wipes. Dispose of rags and wipes as hazardous waste per RCRA 

landfill or incineration.
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7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Avoid contact with 

skin, eyes and clothing. Wear personal protective equipment. Do not breathe vapors or 

spray mist. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before re-use. Do not eat, drink or 

smoke when using this product.

Storage Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep at temperatures below 

17oC / 80oF. Protect from moisture. Do not freeze.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

Chemical Name ACGIH TLV OSHA PEL NIOSH

Cadmium selenide

1306-24-7

TWA: 0.002 mg/m3 Cd 

respirable fraction

TWA: 0.2 mg/m3Se

TWA: 0.2 mg/m3

(vacated) TWA: 0.2 mg/m3

TWA: 0.2 mg/m3Se 

IDLH: 1 mg/m3Se

IDLH: 9 mg/m3 Cd dust and

fume

Toluene

108-88-3

TWA: 20 ppm TWA: 200 ppm Table Z-1

Ceiling: 300 ppm Table Z-1

TWA: 100 ppm

375 mg/m3

Exposure Guidelines

NIOSH IDLH: National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

ACGIH TLV: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists – Threshold Limit Value

OSHA PEL: Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Permissible Exposure Limits.

Engineering Measures Showers 

Eyewash stations 

Ventilation systems

Personal Protective Equipment

Eye/Face Protection Safety glasses with side-shields.

Skin and Body Protection Long sleeved clothing. Chemical resistant apron. Impervious gloves for any handling 

steps where this material is part of a carrier liquid/solvent other than the aqueous 

suspension noted in the section 3 description above, gloves comprised of material that 

successfully passes ASTM F-739 testing (continuous liquid contact method) must be used.

Glove must be changed before the breakthrough time for the carrier liquid (as determined by 

the ASTM F-739 testing or by the manufacturer.) 

Respiratory Protection The Environmental Protection Agency requires the minimum respiratory protection to be a 

full face-piece air purifying respirator with high efficiency particulate air filter P100 (or 

N100/R100) cartridges whenever there is a potential exposure to particulate/aerosol 

containing this material. If exposure limits are exceeded or irritation is experienced,

NIOSH/MSHA approved respiratory protection should be worn. Respiratory 

protection must be provided in accordance with current local regulations.

Hygiene Measures Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Remove and wash 

contaminated clothing before re-use. Provide regular cleaning of equipment, work area and 

clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product. Keep 

away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs.
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9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance Orange Odor Characteristic of Toluene

Odor Threshold Not available Physical State Liquid

pH No information available

Flash Point 39

o

F (4

oC) Closed Cup Auto ignition Temperature No information available

Decomposition 

Temperature 

No information available Boiling Point/Range 100-120oC 

Melting Point/Range No information available

Flammability Limits in Air 1.0-7.0% Explosion Limits No information available

Specific Gravity 0.86 @ 20 oC Solubility Insoluble

Evaporation Rate No information available Vapor Pressure No information available

Vapor Density ~3.14 VOC content (%) Not applicable 

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Stability Stable under recommended storage conditions.

Incompatible Products Heat, flame, strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases.

Conditions to Avoid Heat, flames and sparks.

Hazardous Decomposition Products 

At thermal decomposition temperature, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. 

Hazardous Polymerization No hazardous polymerization.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Acute Toxicity – Engineering Sample.

Established exposure values do not address the small size of particles found in this product and my not provide adequate 

protection against occupational exposure.

TOLUENE: Case studies of persons abusing toluene suggest isolated incidences of adverse effects on the fetus including birth 

defects. Abuse of toluene at high concentrations (e.g., glue sniffing and solvent abuse) has been associated with adverse effects 

on the liver, kidney and nervous system, and can cause CNS depression, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. Studies of workers 

indicate long term exposure may be related to impaired color vision and hearing. Some studies of workers suggest long term

exposure may be related to neurobehavioral and cognitive changes. Some of these effects have been observed in laboratory 

animals following repeated exposure to high levels of toluene. Several studies of workers suggest long term exposure may be 

related to small increases in spontaneous abortions and changes in some gonadotropic hormones. However, the weight of 

evidence does not indicate toluene is a reproductive hazard to humans. Studies in laboratory animals indicate some changes in 

reproductive organs following high levels of exposure, but no significant effects on mating performance or reproduction were 

observed. Case studies of persons abusing toluene suggest isolated incidences of adverse effects on the fetus including birth 

defects. Findings in laboratory animals have been largely negative. Positive findings include small increases in minor skeletal 

and visceral malformations and developmental delays following very high levels of maternal exposure. Studies of workers 

indicate long-term exposure may be related to effects on the liver, kidney and blood, but these appear to be limited to changes in 

serum enzymes and decreased leukocyte counts. Adverse effects on the liver, kidney, thymus and nervous system were 

observed in animal studies following very high levels of exposure. The relevance of these findings to humans is not clear at this 

time.

Carcinogenicity

ACGIH: (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)

CADMIUM SELENIDE (CAS 1306-24-7) A2 - Suspected Human Carcinogen 

TOLUENE (CAS 108-38-3) A4 Not classified as a human carcinogen.

IARC: (International Agency for Research on Cancer) 

CADMIUM SELENIDE (CAS 1306-24-7) Group 1 - Carcinogenic to Humans 
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TOLUENE (CAS 108-38-3) Monograph 71, 1999; (Group 3 (not classifiable)).

NTP: (National Toxicity Program) 

CADMIUM SELENIDE (CAS 1306-24-7 Known - Known Carcinogen 

OSHA: (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)

CADMIUM SELENIDE (CAS 1306-24-7) Present

Target Organ Effects

Irritation. Upper respiratory tract irritation. Drowsiness and dizziness. central nervous system, auditory system, eyes,

skin, heart, thymus, kidney, liver, lungs, mucous membranes, respiratory system

Chemical Name ACGIH OSHA 

Cadmium Selenide

1306-24-7

TWA: 0.002 mg/m3 Cd 

respirable fraction

TWA: 0.2 mg/m3 Se

IDLH: 1 mg/m3 Se

IDLH: 9 mg/m3 Cd dust 

and fume TWA: 0.2 mg/m3

Se

Toluene (mixture)

108-38-3

20 PPM (TWA) TWA 200 ppm (TWA)

Ceiling 300 ppm

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

13. DISPOSAL INFORMATION

Waste Disposal Methods Per EPA TSCA requirements of components of this product; this material must be disposed 

of at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permitted landfill or incineration. All 

wastes must be handled in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

Contaminated Packaging Do not re-use empty containers.

US EPA Waste Number D006

14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

DOT (Land) shipping requirements:

UN number UN1294

Proper shipping name Toluene Solution

Hazard class 3

Packing group II

Chemical Name LD50 Oral LD50 Dermal LC50 Inhalation

Cadmium Selenide > 5,000 mg/kg [Rat] No data available No data available

Aliphatic Amine 2,800 mg/kg [Rat] No data available No data available

Aliphatic carboxylic Acid 12,000 mg/kg [Rat] No data available No data available

Phosphine, trioctyl No data available 1,600 mg/kg No data available

Toluene 636 mg/kg [Rat] 8,000 ppm [Mouse} 12,124 mg/kg [Rabbit]
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15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

International Inventories

TSCA 8(b) Toxic Substance Control Act Not determined

Australia Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) Not determined

Canada Domestic Substances List (DSL) Not determined

Canada Non-Domestic Substances List (NDSL) Not determined

Europe European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Not determined

Substances (EINECS)

Europe European List of Notified Chemical Substances (ELINCS) Not determined

Philippines Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances Not determined

(PICCS)

ENCS Japan Existing and New Chemical Substances (ENCS) Not determined

IECSC China Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) Not determined

Korea Korean Existing and Evaluated Chemical List (KECL) Not determined

U.S. Federal Regulations

SARA313

Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). This product contains a 

chemicals or chemicals which are subject to the reporting requirements of the Act and Title 40 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Part 372.

Chemical Name CAS-No Weight% SARA 313 – Threshold 

Values%

Cadmium selenide 1306-24-7 0.1-1.0 0.1

SARA 311/312 Hazard Categories

Acute Health Hazard Yes

Chronic Health Hazard Yes

Fire Hazard Yes

Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard No

Reactive Hazard No

Clean Water Act

This product does not contain any substances regulated as pollutants pursuant to the Clean Water Act (40 CFR 122.21 and 40 

CFR 122.42):

CERCLA

This material, as supplied, does not contain any substances regulated as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (40 CFR 302) or the Superfund Amendments and 

Reauthorization Act (SARA) (40 CFR 355). There may be specific reporting requirements at the local, regional, or state level 

pertaining to releases of this material. 

Chemical Name CWA – Reportable 

Quantities

CWA – Toxic 

Pollutants

CWA – Priority 

Pollutants

CWA – Hazardous 

Substances

Cadmium selenide X
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State Listings

California Proposition 65

This product contains one or more substances that are listed with the State of California has found to cause cancer, birth defects 

or other reproductive harm, which would require a warning under the statute. Hazardous Waste List (California Code of 

Regulations, Title 22 Section 66261.126); Appendix X - List of Chemical Names and Common Names for Hazardous Wastes 

and Hazardous Materials

Chemical Name CAS-No California Prop. 65

Cadmium (compound) selenide 1306-24-7 Carcinogen, Developmental Male

Toluene 108-88-3 Female Reproduction

U.S. State Right-to-Know Regulations

Chemical Name Illinois Massachusetts New Jersey Pennsylvania Rhode Island

Cadmium selenide X X X X

Toluene X X X X X

16. OTHER INFORMATION

Prepared By Nanosys, Inc. 2625 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Issuing Date Revision Date November 2, 2012

General Disclaimer For Research and Development Use Only

Established exposure values do not address the small size of particles found in this product and my not provide 

adequate protection against occupational exposure. The information provided on this MSDS is correct to the best of 

our knowledge, information and belief at the date of its publication. The information given is designed only as a guide 

for safe handling, use, processing, storage, transportation, disposal and release and is not to be considered as a 

warranty or quality specification. The information relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid 

for such material used in combination with any other material or in any process, unless specified in the text.

End of Safety Data Sheet