Ferric chloride is an orange to brown-black solid that is slightly soluble in water and is noncombustible. It is widely used in water purification, sewage treatment and as an etching agent for manufacturing Printed Circuit Boards for hobbyists.
Safety measures:
- Wash thoroughly after handling.
- Make sure to wear gloves to cover your hands up to the elbow and a facemask or face shield to cover the entire face including eyes, nose, mouth, neck, and ears.
- Wear a lab coat or a raincoat that is long enough to cover the body as used inside a scientific laboratory and wear boots to cover up to a few inches below the knees.
- Make sure to work in a place with enough ventilation and avoid breathing concentrated air.
- Keep out of reach of children. If drink or eat by accident, immediately seek medical attention.
- If in your eyes, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and immediately seek medical attention.
- If on your skin, remove all contaminated clothes and footwear immediately. Drench the affected skin with running water for 10 minutes or longer if the substance is still on the skin. Consult a doctor.