Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015 

Language: English (US) Version 2 

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1.1 Product Identifier

Product Name: Tungsten Ores and Concentrates (Non-Radioactive)

Product Form: Solid 

Chemical Family: Metal

CAS Number: 7440-33-7 

Molecular Formula: W 

Molecular Weight: 183.85

1.2 Other Means of Identification

Synonyms: Tungsten, Wolfram, Tungsten Element, W, 00229908, RTECS Y0717500

1.3 Recommended Uses

Recommended Use: Variety of mechanical and industrial applications

1.4 Manufacturer, Importer, or Responsible Party

Responsible Party:

1.5 Emergency Phone Number

Emergency Phone Number: 

Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials

8725 John J. Kingman Road

Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-6223

(571) 767-5525

(800) 424-9300 (CHEMTREC)

(703) 527-3887 (CHEMTREC INTERNATIONAL)

2.1 Classification of Chemical per OSHA CFR 1910.1200

Skin Irritation: Category 2

Eye Irritation: Category 2A

Respiratory Sensitization: Category 1B

Target Organ - Prolonged: Category 2 (Lungs)

2.2 Label Elements

Signal Word: DANGER

Symbol(s):

Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause allergy or 

asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. May cause damage to the 

Section 1: Identification

Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification

Tungsten Ores 

and Concentrates 

Safety Data Sheet
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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lungs through prolonged or repeated exposure.

Precautionary Statements: Prevention: Wear protective gloves. Wear eye protection/face protection.

Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not breathe dust. In case of inadequate 

ventilation, wear respiratory protection.

Response: If on skin, wash with plenty of water. If skin irritation occurs, get 

medical advice/attention. Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before 

reuse. If in eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove 

contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. If eye irritation 

persists, get medical advice/attention. If inhaled and breathing is difficult, 

remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. If experiencing 

respiratory symptoms, call a doctor. Get medical advice/treatment if you feel 

unwell.

Storage: No specific storage requirements.

Disposal: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with federal, state, and 

local regulations.

2.3 Other Hazards

Negligible fire and explosion hazard in bulk form. Dust/air mixtures may ignite or explode.

2.4 Unknown Acute Toxicity

Does not apply to this product.

3.1 Chemical Name 

Chemical Name: Tungsten (as oxide)

Composition: 62.48%-77.86% WO3

The health and physical hazards information provided in this SDS are for its major component. Tungsten Ores and 

Concentrates [wolframite (including ferberite and huebnerite) and sheelite (natural and synthetic)] contain other elements 

in addition to WO3. For concentrations of other components, see the Certificates of Analysis for each lot.

3.2 Common Names/Synonyms

Synonyms: See Section 1.2 for common names and synonyms.

3.3 CAS Number/Unique Identifiers

CAS Number: 7440-33-7

EC Number (EINECS): 231-143-9

3.4 Impurities/Stabilizing Additives

No data available.

4.1 Description of First-Aid Measures

Inhalation: If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial 

respiration if not breathing. Get immediate medical attention.

Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated 

clothing and shoes. Get medical attention, if needed. Thoroughly clean and 

dry contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.

Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get immediate medical 

attention. 

Ingestion: Rinse mouth and administer water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a 

strong gag reflex, and does not drool. Get medical attention.

4.2 Most Important Symptoms/Effects, Acute and Delayed

Section 3: Composition / Information on Ingredients

Section 4: First-Aid Measures
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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Inhalation (Acute): May cause irritation.

Inhalation (Chronic): May cause lung damage.

Skin Contact (Acute): May cause irritation.

Skin Contact (Chronic): May cause dermatitis. 

Eye Contact (Acute): May cause irritation.

Eye Contact (Chronic): May cause conjunctivitis. 

Ingestion (Acute): May cause irritation of gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting.

Ingestion (Chronic): No information on significant adverse effects.

4.3 Indication of Immediate Medical Attention/Special Treatment

Get immediate medical attention if inhaled, exposed to eyes, and/or ingested.

5.1 Suitable Extinguishing Media

Dolomite, dry powder for metal fires, dry sand, graphite, soda ash, and sodium chloride.

5.2 Specific Hazards

Negligible fire and explosion hazard in bulk form. Dust/air mixtures may ignite or explode.

5.3 Special Protective Equipment and Precautions

Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. Cool containers with water spray until well after the fire is 

out. Stay away from the ends of tanks. For fires in cargo or storage area: Cool containers with water from unmanned 

hose holder or monitor nozzles until well after fire is out. If this is impossible then take the following precautions: Keep 

unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area, and deny entry. Let the fire burn. Use extinguishing agents appropriate 

for surrounding fire. Avoid inhalation of material or combustion by-products.

6.1 Personal Precautions, Protective Equipment, and Emergency Procedures

Keep all unauthorized people away, isolate hazard area, and deny entry. Personal protective equipment is discussed 

in Section 8.3.

6.2 Methods and Materials for Containment and Cleaning Up

Collect spilled material in appropriate container for disposal. 

7.1 Precautions for Safe Handling

Handle in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Use methods to minimize dust. Utilize personal 

protective equipment to avoid contact with skin. Personal protective equipment is discussed in Section 8.3.

7.2 Conditions for Safe Storage

Store in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Keep separated from incompatible substances.

Incompatible materials are identified in Section 10.5.

8.1 Exposure Limits

Tungsten Ores and Concentrates (Non-Radioactive): 

Tungsten and Insoluble Compounds (as W):

OSHA PEL / STEL: Vacated by 58 FR 35338, 6/30/1993

ACGIH TWA: 5 mg/m3 

ACGIH STEL: 10 mg/m3

Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

Section 7: Handling and Storage

Section 8: Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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NIOSH REL TWA: 5 mg/m3

NIOSH REL STEL: 10 mg/m3 

UK WEL TWA: 5 mg/m3 

UK WEL STEL: 10 mg/m3 

Tungsten Ore (Wolframite):

ACGIH TWA: 5 mg(W)/m3 (insoluble compounds) 

ACGIH STEL: 10 mg(W)/m3 (insoluble compounds) 

ACGIH TWA: 1 mg(W)/m3 (soluble compounds)

ACGIH STEL: 3 mg(W)/m3 (soluble compounds)

NIOSH REL TWA: 5 mg(W)/m3

NIOSH REL STEL: 10 mg(W)/m3 

8.2 Appropriate Engineering Controls

Ventilation: Provide local exhaust system or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure 

compliance with applicable exposure limits.

8.3 Individual Protection Measures

Eye Protection: Wear splash resistant safety goggles. Provide an emergency eye wash 

fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.

Clothing: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing.

Gloves: Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves.

Respirator: The following respirators and maximum use concentrations are drawn from 

NIOSH and/or OSHA. 

1. Any air-purifying respirator equipped with an N100, R100, or P100 filter 

(including N100, R100, and P100 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask 

respirators.

2. Any supplied-air respirator.

3. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.

Unknown Concentrations/IDLH: 1. Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is 

operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

2. Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece that is operated in a 

pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an 

auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or 

other positive-pressure mode.

Escape: 1. Any air-purifying respirator equipped with an N100, R100, or P100 filter 

(including N100, R100, and P100 filtering facepieces). 

2. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus. 

9.1 Appearance

Physical State: Solid

Physical Description: White to Gray or Black, Hard, Brittle Solid

9.2 Odor

Not available.

9.3 Odor Threshold

Not available.

9.4 pH

Not applicable.

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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9.5 Melting / Freezing Points

Melting Point: 6,134-6,206 °F (3,390-3,430 °C)

Freezing Point: No data available.

9.6 Initial Boiling Point and Boiling Range

Boiling Point 10,220 °F (5,660 °C)

9.7 Flash Point

No data available. 

9.8 Evaporation Rate

Not applicable.

9.9 Flammability

No data available.

9.10 Upper / Lower Explosive Limits

No data available.

9.11 Vapor Pressure

Vapor Pressure: 1.97X10-7 mm Hg @ 2,327°C

9.12 Vapor Density

Not applicable.

9.13 Relative Density

Water = 1: 19.35

9.14 Solubility(ies)

Insoluble: Water, hydrogen fluoride, potassium hydroxide solutions

Soluble: Nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid mixtures, fused sodium hydroxide/sodium nitrate, 

fused potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate

Very Slightly Soluble: Nitric acid, aqua regia, sulfuric acid

9.15 Partition Coefficient

Not available

9.16 Auto-Ignition Temperature

No data available.

9.17 Decomposition Temperature

No data available.

9.18 Viscosity

No data available.

10.1 Reactivity

Stable at normal temperatures and pressures. Oxidizes in air and must be protected at elevated temperatures.

10.2 Chemical Stability

Stable at normal temperatures and pressures.

10.3 Possibility of Hazardous Reactions

Alkali w/Halocarbons: May explode with heat or on impact.

Alkaline-Earth Metals w/Halocarbons: May explode with heat or on impact.

Aqua Regia: Attacked superficially.

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

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Language: English (US) Version 2

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Bromine Pentafluoride: Violent reaction and possible ignition. 

Bromine Trifluoride: Violent reaction.

Chlorine Trifluoride: Violent reaction and ignition. 

Fluorine: Incandescent reaction.

Hydrogen Sulfide: Incandescent reaction.

Iodine Pentafluoride: Incandescent reaction when heated. 

Lead (IV) Dioxide: Incandescent reaction when heated.

Nitric Acid: Attacked superficially.

Nitryl Fluoride: Incandescent reaction when heated. 

Oxidizers (Strong): Fire and explosion hazard.

Oxygen Difluoride: Explodes at 400°C.

Potassium Dichromate: Combustion attains a temperature of 1,700°C in 0.1-0.2 seconds.

Sodium Peroxide: Incandescent reaction when heated.

10.4 Conditions to Avoid

None reported.

10.5 Incompatible Materials

Incompatibilities: Acids, halogens, reducing agents, oxidizing materials, bases 

Safe storage of the material is discussed in Section 7.2.

10.6 Hazardous Decomposition Products

Thermal Decomposition Products: Miscellaneous Decomposition Products

11.1 Likely Routes of Exposure

Routes of entry include inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, and ingestion. 

11.2 Symptoms

See Section 4.2 for acute and chronic short and long-term exposure symptoms.

11.3 Short and Long Term Effects

Inhalation (Acute): May cause irritation and coughing.

Inhalation (Chronic): Prolonged or repeated exposure has been reported to cause pulmonary 

fibrosis. Intratracheal injection into the lungs of experimental animals revealed 

the metallic dust to be inert, with the only pulmonary effect being areas of 

pigmentation. One conflicting study found the dust to cause interstitial 

pneumonitis and bronchiolitis in guinea pigs after intratracheal injection of 50 

mg a week for 3 weeks. After one year, slight residual lesions in the form of 

minor atrophic emphysema were present.

Skin Contact (Acute): Application of 500 mg to the skin of rabbits caused mild irritation. May cause 

redness.

Skin Contact (Chronic): May cause dermatitis.

Eye Contact (Acute): Application of 500 mg to the eyes of rabbits caused mild irritation. May cause 

redness and conjunctivitis.

Eye Contact (Chronic): May cause conjunctivitis.

Ingestion (Acute): May cause nausea, vomiting, and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ingestion (Chronic): When rats were fed 2%, 5% or 10% powdered tungsten in their diets, the 

females gained 15.4% less weight than the control females; there was no 

difference between tungsten-fed and control males. The sex specific effect 

was suggested to depend on metabolic utilization of foodstuffs. Reproductive 

effects have been reported in animals.

11.4 Numerical Measures of Toxicity

Section 11: Toxicological Information
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

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Language: English (US) Version 2

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Tungsten Ores and Concentrates (Non-Radioactive)

Irritation Data: 500 mg/24 hour(s) skin-rabbit mild 

500 mg/24 hour(s) eyes-rabbit mild

Toxicity Data: 5 gm/kg intraperitoneal-rat LD50

Acute Toxicity Level: Insufficient data.

Reproductive Effects Data: 1,210 μg/kg oral-rat TDLo 35 week(s) pre pregnancy continuous 

1,160 μg/kg oral-rat TDLo 30 week(s) pre pregnancy/1-20 day(s) pregnant 

female continuous

11.5 Carcinogen Status

OSHA: No

NTP: No

IARC: No

12.1 Ecotoxicity

No data available.

12.2 Persistence and Degradability

No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative Potential

No data available.

12.4 Mobility in Soil

Tungsten compounds will exist as ions or insoluble solids in the environment and therefore volatilization from moist soil 

surfaces will not be an important fate process. Tungsten compounds will not volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon 

their ionic character and low vapor pressures. If released into water, tungsten compounds will adsorb to suspended 

solids and sediment based upon their range or sorption coefficients. Tungsten in natural waters is in the form of 

tungstate (i.e., WO4-2) and other tungsten polyanions. Tungsten compounds will exist as ions or insoluble solids in the 

environment and therefore volatilization from water surfaces will not be an important fate process.

12.5 Other Adverse Effects

If released into water, tungsten compounds will adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon their range or 

sorption coefficients. Tungsten in natural waters is in the form of tungstate (i.e., WO4-2) and other tungsten polyanions. 

Tungsten compounds will exist as ions or insoluble solids in the environment and therefore volatilization from water 

surfaces will not be an important fate process.

Dispose in accordance with all applicable regulations.

14.1 UN Number 

Not applicable.

14.2 UN Proper Shipping Name

Not applicable.

14.3 Transport Hazard Class(es)

U.S. Department Of Transportation: No classification assigned.

CA Transportation/Dangerous Goods: No classification assigned.

Land Transport ADR: No classification assigned. 

Land Transport RID: No classification assigned. 

Section 12: Ecological Information

Section 13: Disposal Considerations

Section 14: Transport Information
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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Air Transport IATA: No classification assigned. 

Air Transport ICAO: No classification assigned.

Maritime Transport IMDG: No classification assigned.

14.4 Packing Group

No classification assigned.

14.5 Environmental Hazards

No data available.

14.6 Transport in Bulk

No data available.

14.7 Special Precautions

No data available.

US Regulations

CERCLA 102A/103 (40 CFR 302.4): Not regulated.

SARA Title IIl

Section (40 CFR 355 Subpart B): Not regulated. 

Section 304 (40 CFR 355 Subpart C): Not regulated. 

Sections 311/312 (40 CFR 370 .21): Yes (Fire)

Section 313 (40 CFR 372.65): Not regulated.

OSHA Process Safety: Not regulated.

State Regulations:

California Proposition 65: Not regulated.

National Inventory Status

U.S. Inventory (TSCA): Listed on inventory.

TSCA 12(B) Export Notification: Not listed.

The information in this Safety Data Sheet meets the requirements of the United States Department of Labor OCCUPATIONAL 

SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION and regulations promulgated thereunder (29 CFR 1910.1200 et. seq.). This 

document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary material handling by a person trained in, or supervised 

by a person trained in, chemical handling. Exposure to this chemical may have serious adverse health effects. This chemical 

may interact with other substances. Since the potential uses are so varied, all of the potential hazards of use or interaction 

with other chemicals or materials cannot be identified on this Safety Data Sheet. The user should recognize that this chemical 

can cause injury, especially if improperly handled, precautionary measures are not followed, and personal protective 

equipment not worn. Read and understand all precautionary information prior to use. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) 

shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or from contact with the above chemical.

References:

OHS. Material Safety Data Sheet. Product Name: Tungsten Ores and Concentrates (Non-Radioactive). Revised June 16, 

2005. (as provided by the Defense Logistics Agency)

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. 2013 TLVs® and BEIs®, ACGIH® Publication #0113. 2013.

US Department of Transportation. Emergency Response Guidebook. 2012

Section 15: Regulatory Information

Section 16: Other Information
Tungsten Ores and Concentrates Safety Data Sheet

Format: GHS Revised: April 23, 2015

Language: English (US) Version 2

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/.

National Institute of Health, Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/

NOTE: No data available: no data for this topic found using references listed.

Date of Preparation of Updated SDS: April 23, 2015