Agent Name
Iron pentacarbonyl
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Iron carbonyl; Pentacarbonyl iron; [NIOSH]
Category
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors
Description
Colorless to yellow to dark-red, oily liquid; [NIOSH] Ignites in air; Insoluble in water; [Sullivan, p. 979]
Sources/Uses
Used as an anti-knock agent in gasoline in Europe; may be generated when fine iron particles react with carbon monoxide; [ACGIH]
Comments
Acute inhalation studies of animals: lung irritation and pulmonary edema are prominent toxic effects. [ACGIH] Also can cause liver, kidney, and CNS injury; [CAMEO] Readily absorbed through the skin; Acute exposure can injure the lungs (pneumonitis), liver, and kidneys. Chronic exposure can cause iron overload and hemochromatosis. [Sullivan, p. 982] See "ORGANOMETALS."
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 5 deg F; [CAMEO] VP = 40 mm Hg at 30.3 deg C; [HSDB]
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: